Good afternoon everyone. I'll be bringing you live text coverage of a crucial Premier League game between two struggling teams today. It's
Norwich City vs. Sunderland at Carrow Road. Who can pick up a valuable victory in the fight against relegation?
It's a big day in the season for both of these sides. Sunderland may have games in hand on their rivals but
Gus Poyet and his side will know how important it is to pick points up off the teams around them in the table. The Black Cats could make a statement with a confident display today.
Norwich's run-in has been spoken about every week since the fixture list was announced last summer. They know what's to come, which is why a home game against a relegation rival is so crucial for
Chris Hughton. The Canaries boss is under pressure to deliver a victory as the battle to stay in the Premier League heats up.
NORWICH: Ruddy, Martin, Yobo, Bassong, Olsson, Snodgrass, Howson, Tettey, Hoolahan, Elmander, van Wolfswinkel
SUBSTITUTES: Bunn, Whittaker, Johnson, Hooper, Gutierrez, Becchio, Redmond
Hughton makes five changes to his side following last week's defeat to Southampton. Johan Elmander and Ricky van Wolfswinkel return to the starting lineup to partner each other in attack. Sebastien Bassong is back in the centre of defence to captain the side, while Wes Hoolahan and Russell Martin both earn starts.
SUNDERLAND: Mannone, Bardsley, Alonso, O'Shea, Brown, Bridcutt, Colback, Ki, Johnson, Borini, Altidore
SUBSTITUTES: Ustari, Larsson, Celustka, Giaccherini, Vergini, Scocco, Cattermole
Just two changes to the Sunderland side which drew with Crystal Palace a week ago. Steven Fletcher misses out due to an ankle injury he picked up in that game and he's replaced in attack by Jozy Altidore. Sebastian Larsson is forced to settle for a spot on the bench as Jack Colback returns to the starting lineup.
What do we think of those teams? Michael Turner isn't quite fit enough to return to the Norwich squad but their defence certainly does look a lot stronger with Bassong next to Joseph Yobo. Goals have been the real problem, though. Elmander scored his first league goal of the season last week and he must find form alongside Van Wolfswinkel.
The table could look very differently later on this evening. A victory for Sunderland would see them climb out of the relegation zone if Newcastle United can beat Crystal Palace. Norwich simply cannot lose today. Three points would be massive for Hughton and his team, who could go as high as 12th later on today.
Some reports have suggested that Hughton could be leaving Carrow Road even if he does manage to keep the team in the Premier League for another season. That won't be on his mind this afternoon. He would have told his players that these are the games they must be winning. They need breathing space with Liverpool, Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal coming in the last four games of the campaign.
Sunderland felt like they missed an opportunity seven days ago when they were held to a goalless draw by Palace at the Stadium of Light. A win in Norfolk would hand the Black Cats a big boost at a crucial stage of the season. Poyet has certainly improved the confidence at the club but this is the ultimate test.
The Black Cats have not beaten Norwich away from home in their previous nine games. Their last victory against the Canaries on the road came in the 1984-85 season. What happened that year? Both sides were relegated from the top flight of English football.
The Black Cats have not beaten Norwich away from home in their previous nine games. Their last victory against the Canaries on the road came in the 1984-85 season. What happened that year? Both sides were relegated from the top flight of English football.
Norwich will take some confidence from their recent record at Carrow Road. The Canaries haven't been beaten in front of their own supporters for five games. That impressive run included a shock victory over Tottenham Hotspur last month.
The first Premier League result of the day is in and what a scoreline it is at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea have thrashed Arsenal 6-0 to make a big statement about their title credentials. Incredible start to the day in West London.
Sunderland seem to be enjoying playing away from home this season. They've lost just one of their previous seven games on the road. If that form continues for the final couple of months, the Black Cats could be playing Premier League football for another year.
PREDICTION: It's time to have a guess at what the score will be at Carrow Road. There's so much on the line this afternoon and both sides should be looking to be positive. I'm expecting goals, so let's go for a 2-2 draw.
Remember, you can follow live coverage of all of the Premier League games today by clicking on the fixture in the scores box on the right of the page. It's a very important afternoon at both ends of the table. Plenty of drama expected.
The players have gone back inside after completing their pre-match warm-ups. Carrow Road is starting to fill up and the atmosphere is building. Everyone knows the importance of this fixture.
These two sides last met in the Premier League on December 21. It certainly wasn't a thriller at the Stadium of Light as both teams settled for a goalless draw. Fingers crossed for a bit more excitement today!
Cardiff host Liverpool today, while Fulham face Manchester City. It will take a big shock for either of those teams to avoid defeat this afternoon, so it could be a very productive day for Sunderland as they look to pile the pressure on their rivals.
Phil Dowd leads the players out of the tunnel to a good reception from both sets of supporters. The action is just a few moments away now. Let's get the handshakes out of the way and get down to business.
Here we go then. It's Norwich who will get the game underway.
Confident start to the match from Norwich as Tettey links well with Olsson before seeing a promising move break down on the left.
Norwich are gifted a free kick when Alonso needlessly brings down Snodgrass, who hits the wall with his effort from the set piece before drilling the ball into the stand behind the goal.
Snodgrass continues to frustrate his teammates and the home fans as he hits the first Sunderland defender with a corner. He gets a second opportunity to deliver a cross but he wastes the chance and the hosts clear.
Two very strong players collide as Bassong clashes with Altidore. The Sunderland forward wins the free kick for his side as the visitors finally begin to settle down.
Nice move from Norwich to release Olsson, who uses his space well and whips in an inviting ball. Borini does well to clear the danger under pressure inside the box.
Sunderland under plenty of pressure in the opening stages of this game. Another Norwich corner comes and go without a clear opportunity being created. Poyet's side are second-best at the moment.
Altidore is looking very isolated in attack for the visitors. A few long balls have been pumped forward but the American has been unable to make any kind of impact, with Yobo and Bassong calmly dealing with everything being thrown at them.
Hoolahan collects the ball in space and ignores the support to try his luck. His shot is blocked and Howson then strikes a deflected effort straight at Mannone.
Hughton will be delighted with the way his side have started but, as we know, goals have been the problem for the Canaries and he'll be desperate to break the deadlock while they are on top of Sunderland.
Mannone does well to punch clear as Norwich threaten again from a set piece. Sunderland break with numbers and Bassong is forced to hold off Altidore to prevent the Sunderland forward from getting a shot away. The Norwich defender is winning that battle.
Olsson has been a good option for Norwich in the first half with his pace on the left. The Swede earns himself some space again but his cross is too close to Mannone, who easily collects.
GOAL! NORWICH 1-0 SUNDERLAND (SNODGRASS)
Breakthrough for the hosts and you can't say that haven't deserved it! Olsson is at the heart of the move again as his cross causes problems for Brown, who can only clear to Elmander. The Swedish forward keeps calm to pick out Snodgrass and the midfielder slots the ball past Mannone to give his side the lead. Big goal.
Sunderland haven't been able to match Norwich and they've paid the price. It's the first clear chance the hosts have created but they do deserve to be ahead. Hughton will be urging his players to keep the pressure on.
Borini wins a free kick for his side on the edge of the box when he is fouled by Yobo. Johson delivers the ball to the back post, where Brown fails to head the ball towards goal under pressure from a couple of Norwich defenders.
Poor from Johnson. The England international collects a loose ball in plenty of space but he can only hit a cross straight into Ruddy's arms.
SAVE! Norwich back on the front foot as Howson is gifted far too much space to unleash a shot which forces Mannone to push the ball to safety.
CHANCE! Oh dear, Ricky. It's not been Van Wolfswinkel's season and his mood is not improved when he fails to connect with Hoolahan's cross from close range. A shot is fired over the crossbar moments later by Hoolahan.
Hughton is looking very animated on the sidelines as Norwich continue to put the pressure. He knows just how important a second goal might be in this match. They can't allow Sunderland to hit back before the break.
Cheeky effort from Howson as he breaks up play in midfield before trying his luck from about 45 yards. Mannone was off his line but the ball drifts wide of the target.
GOAL! NORWICH 2-0 SUNDERLAND (TETTEY)
Superb! There's your second goal, Chris. It's a stunning strike from Tettey as he puts his name in the hat for the goal of the season by firing an unstoppable volley past a helpless Mannone from 25 yards. What a fantastic strike from the midfielder.
Carrow Road is still buzzing after that goal. You won't see a better strike of the football today. Norwich have been very impressive and they're on their way to three points. Will there be any kind of response from Sunderland?
YELLOW CARD! Colback is the first player to be booked after dragging down Howson, who was looking to begin another Norwich attack. The former Leeds midfielder is enjoying a very good game.
SUBSTITUTIONS: A clearly frustrated Poyet has seen enough. It's a double substitution for the visitors as Larsson and Cattermole replace Ki and Colback. In truth, any of Sunderland's outfield players could have been taken off.
SHOT! Borini finds himself in some space inside the box but his low strike is easily saved by Ruddy.
YELLOW CARD! How long did that take? Cattermole pays the price for arguing with Phil Dowd as the referee dips into his pocket to show the midfielder a yellow card. He's been on for less than five minutes.
It's been a dreadful first half for Sunderland. Van Wolfswinkel hits a shot straight at Mannone shortly before the fourth official confirms there will be three minutes added on.
Sunderland attempt to get Altidore involved with another long ball but it's Yobo's turn to make the interception. Just too easy for Norwich at the moment.
HALF-TIME: NORWICH 2-0 SUNDERLAND
Big cheers from the home supporters as the players head back inside at the end of the first half. Norwich have been dominant from the first whistle and they lead thanks to a Snodgrass goal and a wonder striker from Tettey. The Canaries deserve to be ahead. Sunderland have been very, very poor.
Can Sunderland respond after the break? It's a big game for the Black Cats but they've barely made an impact and Poyet will be furious with what he's seen from his side. Not many people will be backing them to claim anything from this game. Stranger things have happened, though.
A big win could be just what Hughton needs to relieve some pressure. If Norwich can score three or four goals they will take a lot of confidence heading into the final few games. As it stands, Norwich will be 13th later on this afternoon.
Sunderland could drop down to 19th if the scores in the Premier League stay as they are right now. Cardiff are currently holding Liverpool 2-2 in the Welsh capital. That would be a huge result for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's men.
Both teams are back out on the pitch for the second half. Will it be more misery for Sunderland? The Black Cats will get the game back underway.
The Sunderland supporters made a long trip for this match and they deserve to see a response from the players. I'm sure Poyet will have made his feelings clear during the interval.
SAVE! Hoolahan delivers a good cross to Van Wolfswinkel, whose downward header forces Mannone to tip the ball over the crossbar.
YELLOW CARD! Howson was dispossessed by Altidore shortly before that Norwich chance and he reacted by pulling back the Sunderland striker. Easy decision for the referee. Booking for the midfielder.
SAVE! Great opportunity for Sunderland to pull a goal back. A short corner finds Johnson, who picks out Brown with an excellent cross. Brown makes good contact with his header but Ruddy reacts well to make a fine save.
Sunderland may live to regret missing that chance. It's a warning for Norwich, who will want to make sure they score the third goal of the match to kill off the Black Cats.
This is much better from Sunderland as they put a few passes together to work some space for Bridcutt. The former Brighton midfielder sees his effort take a couple of deflections and Ruddy is able to make an easy save.
Poyet's team talk has certainly made a difference. Norwich could have been further ahead with Van Wolfswinkel's header but they are being put on the back foot by the visitors now. Sunderland are looking dangerous but where was this in the first half?
It's a rare quiet period in this match as the two sides battle for superiority in midfield. The next goal will be crucial. Sunderland fans making plenty of noise in an attempt to urge their team on. Alonso then strikes a deflected effort wide of the target.
Johnson battles his way into the penalty box but the pressure is too much for the winger, who loses possession at the vital moment. Yobo and Bassong are leading the Norwich defence impressively this afternoon.
Norwich launch a counter attack at good pace but the move breaks down when Hoolahan's clever pass proves to be too strong for Elmander.
The Canaries are starting to improve again as a Snodgrass cross is cleared behind by Bardsley. Norwich beginning to take control of the game but they fail to create a chance from the corner.
YELLOW CARD! Bridcutt is the latest player to be cautioned following a late challenge on Van Wolfswinkel as Norwich attempted to attack again.
YELLOW CARD! Phil Dowd is forced into action again to book Snodgrass, who can have no complaints after a heavy challenge on Alonso.
Time is running out for Sunderland. They enjoyed some pressure early in the second half but in truth, they just haven't been good enough today. Just under 20 minutes of normal time remaining at Carrow Road.
SUBSTITUTIONS: Poyet uses his final change to replace Johnson with Ignacio Scocco, while Hughton sends on Hooper as Van Wolfswinkel makes way.
Will there be any late drama? Norwich look to be happy to take the 2-0 victory as the play the ball around calmly. Sunderland are trying to push for way back into the match but a lack of creativity is hurting them in the second half.
SAVE! Mannone reacts well to prevent his side falling further behind when Hoolahan targets the bottom corner from the edge of the box.
YELLOW CARD! Poor challenge on Snodgrass from Alonso, who must accept the caution from Phil Dowd.
Hughton is not happy when Bassong stays forward to play centre forward for longer than his manager would have liked. The Canaries boss does not want any risks to be taken at this stage.
YELLOW CARD!CHANCE! So close to a third for Norwich. Snodgrass stands over the free kick on the edge of the box before whipping a great effort just over the crossbar.
Sunderland nearly find a way back into the match when a scrappy move in the box ends with the ball falling to Altidore, who is left disappointed when his shot is blocked.
SUBSTITUTION: Hughton doesn't want to see any drama in the closing stages, so he sends on Bradley Johnson to replace Elmander.
Norwich are cruising now. An improved Sunderland display in the second half hasn't been enough and it looks like the Black Cats will be heading home disappointed.
SUBSTITUTION: One final change for Norwich as the fantastic Hoolahan departs to make way for Nathan Redmond.
We're in stoppage time at Carrow Road. The fourth official confirms that there will be four minutes added on.
RED CARD! One final disappointment for Sunderland as Alonso is sent off for a second yellow card. It looks like it was for hand ball. Seven red cards for the Black Cats this season.
SAVE! Redmond targets the bottom corner from outside the box but Mannone pushes the ball to safety. Decent stop from the Sunderland goalkeeper.
FULL-TIME: NORWICH 2-0 SUNDERLAND
It's all over at Carrow Road. Two first half goals proved to be enough for the Canaries, who fully deserve to collect three points. Snodgrass opened the scoring but it's Tettey's wonder goal that everyone will be talking about tonight. Big victory for Norwich and a disappointing defeat for Sunderland.
That's all from me this afternoon. I hope you've enjoyed the coverage. Make sure you stay on the site for analysis and reaction from all of today's Premier League matches. Goodbye.
