EPL What We Learned – Sunderland 1 Norwich City 3 [VIDEO]

Norwich City left Wearside with their first win of the new campaign following a comfortable 3-1 defeat of Sunderland on Saturday night.

The Canaries travelled up to the North East following a disappointing defeat to Crystal Palace on the opening day of the season. Sunderland returned home having been outclassed by Leicester City at the King Power Stadium.

The match began with Norwich flying out of the gate and putting intense early pressure on the Black Cats. The East Anglian outfit were probing from minute one, looking for an opening in the host defence.

The reward came in the 26th minute, when captain Russell Martin turned the ball home from long range following a Costel Pantilimon parry.

The procession of pressure continued as the Canary midfield outclassed that of their opponent, on 37 minutes Steven Whittaker played a neat one-two with Wes Hoolohan and rifled a shot from a tight angle past the helpless Pantilimon.

Nathan Redmond, Norwich’s star man at Carrow Road last week, continued his fine form with a well struck shot to make the score 3-0 just before the hour.

Sunderland debutant Duncan Watmore, signed from non-league Altrincham, provided a consolation goal after 88 minutes, however, it was far too little, far too late. The defeat leaves Sunderland at the foot of the table, with an already worrying goal difference of -4.

Is it already time to end the Kaboul experiment?

Younes Kaboul and Sebastian Coates do not look comfortable playing side by side. Both tall, immobile defenders, they were cut to shreads by Norwich City’s attack and left Pantilimon vulnerable on numerous occasions. The pair were defensively suspect and failed to pick up Russell Martin for Norwich’s first goal, begging the question as to why manager Dick Advocaat chose this setup over an experience Premier League defender such as John O’Shea. If the Black Cats want their backline to improve, they will have to change their options, as Coates and Kaboul have already shown just two games in that they are a liability.

The Wes Hoolahan show

Midfield orchestrator Hoolahan had a game to remember for Norwich City, commanding the middle of the park, pulling all the strings and providing Norwich’s creative spark throughout the 90 minutes. His through ball and one-two set up for Whittaker to make it 2-0 left Sunderland looking on stunned. Ever moving and pressing, the Irishman was the sole catalyst to the visitors’ fluidity in attack, allowing them to set up successful counter-attacks and break down the back line. Norwich did look to lose some spark when he was substituted in the 62nd minute and it is obvious that Hoolahan will be vital to this season’s survival bid. But if he plays like this every week, he will provide the Canaries with a great chance.

Sunderland were largely toothless in attack

The Black Cats boast an impressive arsenal of striking options, with Jermain Defoe, Steven Fletcher, Jeremain Lens, and Danny Graham all featuring in attempt to find a way through the Norwich defence. However, chances were few and far between, and the strikers failed to take any scarce opportunities presented to them, youngster Duncan Watmore showing up the attacking trio. It may be a case of early season rust, yet Sunderland must begin taking their chances when given to them.

Canaries see success on the road

Norwich have not lost away from home this calendar year and this incredible stat continued with victory at Sunderland. Alex Neil is clearly proud of this record, and it is an extremely impressive feat which could prove to be vital for Norwich’s relegation battle. The old adage is that you need to win your home games if you want survival, but if they can travel to the homes other struggling teams and produce first class football, then they will give their survival hopes a huge boost.

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Early indicators in the battle for EPL survival 

Sunderland fans must be extremely worried following this defeat. The Black Cats had an arguably pleasant first two fixtures of the season versus Leicester and Norwich, two many would have thought to be relegation rivals. However, they have been outclassed in both and are now left with much pondering and work ahead. With Swansea visiting the Stadium of Light next week, there is a very small window for improvement, but they Sunderland must make drastic changes if they want to come away with anything other than another zero points.

Norwich City can be buoyed by this performance, never letting their pace drop throughout the game and providing a constant attacking threat. They were rewarded because they took their chances when presented to them, and continued to probe a creaky Sunderland defence.

Hoolahan and Redmond in particular were magnificent in this game. Both providing insatiable energy across the pitch and create openings to unravel their opposition. With Stoke visiting Carrow Road next week, Norwich need to replicate the fine form from this game, and can go in confident that they will come away with a reward.

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