Sunderland took a massive step in their fight against relegation after beating 17th placed Norwich City 3-0 at Carrow Road on Saturday.
The Black Cats are now just one point away from safety with a game in hand over the Canaries. They also have a much stronger goal difference than both Norwich and 19th placed Newcastle.
The Magpies’ victory over Swansea means that the fight to survive is well and truly on, whilst Aston Villa became the first team to be relegated this season after losing to Manchester United.
Fabio Borini won a penalty just before half-time after Andre Wisdom showed a lack of wisdom in the box – going in for a rash challenge on the Italian. Referee Andre Marriner had no hesitation in pointing to the spot, from where Borini scored his fourth goal of the season to calm the Black Cats’ nerves.
Borini set up the second goal as well. Jan Kirchhoff won the ball from Bassong in the attacking half, before Borini put in an inch perfect cross for Defoe to poke home in the 53rd minute.
The hosts might have found a way back into the game had either Nathan Redmond or Mbokani been able to find the back of the net. Redmond hit the post whilst Cattermole made a goal mouth clearance to deny Mbokani – one of three that the Man of the Match made during the 90 minutes.
After Bassong went off injured with all three subs used, the returning Duncan Watmore sealed the result against the 10 men of Norwich after poking past John Ruddy from a tight angle to score his fourth goal of the season in all competitions.
Next up for Sunderland is a home tie against Arsenal.
Norwich City Starting XI: Ruddy, Wisdom, Bennett, Bassong, Olsson, Jarvis (Hoolahan 59), O’Neil (c), Howson, Brady (Redmond 45), Naismith (Jerome 74), Mbokani
Substitutes: Rudd, Pinto, Dorrans, Mulumbu, Hoolahan, Redmond, Jerome
Sunderland Starting XI: Mannone, Yedlin, Kone, Kaboul, van Aanholt, Kirchhoff (O’Shea 85), Borini, Cattermole (c), M’Vila (Larsson 67), Khazri (Watmore 45), Defoe
Substitutes: Pickford, Jones, O’Shea, Larsson, Toivonen, Watmore, N’Doye
Goals: Borini (41 P), Defoe (53), Watmore (90+1)
Bookings: Khazri (32, Foul Play), Wisdom (40, Foul Play), Cattermole (58, Foul Play), Olsson (59, Foul Play)
Attendance: 27,117
