On a roll SARGENT ADDS TO CATS’ WOE
AN absent, departing head coach, a new £4.5million signing from Paris St-Germain in the directors’ box – and a defeat.
It has been a turbulent, roller coaster 24 hours on Wearside.
Sunderland’s off-field managerial troubles were exploited by Norwich as Josh Sargent clinched the Canaries’ third league win in a row.
It was a body blow for Black Cats fans and players, who were in fighting form.
Alex Neil was in Stoke finalising his walk-out just a month after signing a new deal, and a day after being offered another pay hike by the Wearsiders.
Before the game, sporting director Kristjaan Speakman said a deal was drawn up on Friday to try to keep Neil.
But asked if he could have done more to keep Neil happy, he said: “I don’t believe so.”
In brighter news, talented teenager Edouard Michut was at the Stadium of Light to watch the game, and is ready to move from PSG.
Where next for Sunderland? No one was talking after the game.
A third press conference in two days was cancelled. Could Tony
Mowbray take over? Or Sean Dyche? It was perhaps inevitable that luck, and a late dip again, cost Sunderland.
Neil’s assistant Martin Canning took charge in awkward, uncertain circumstances and they played well, but failed to take their chances.
The game was decided in the 75th minute when Sargent tapped home after a well-timed run onto Aaron Ramsey’s perfect cross.
Norwich played better, slicker football but Sunderland piled forward and had the better chances.
Ross Stewart hit the bar in the second half and from the rebound Grant Hanley took Alex Pritchard’s volley in the stomach to keep the game goalless. Ellis Simms also headed against the post.
SUNDERLAND: Patterson 6; O’Nien 7, Batth 7, Cirkin 6; Gooch 6, Neil 6, Evans 6 (Roberts 87), Clarke 5; Pritchard 7 (Embleton 77); Simms 5, Stewart 6
NORWICH: Krul 7; Aarons 7, Omobamidele 7, Hanley 8, McLean 7; Dowell 6 (Ramsey 60, 7), Gibbs 6 (Byram 19), Nunez 6; Sinani 6 (Pukki 60, 7), Sargent 7, Hernandez (Cantwell 60, 7)
STAR MAN: Grant Hanley: Solid in Canaries’ defence. REF: Tim Robinson 7