Sunderland 0-1 Norwich: Josh Sargent goal enough for Canaries

Josh Sargent (left) managed four goals in the Premier League last season and has now matched that tally this season

United States forward Josh Sargent scored his fourth goal in three games as Norwich City beat Sunderland to claim their third Championship victory in a row.

The Black Cats were without manager Alex Neil, with the Scot on the verge of taking the vacant job at Stoke City.

They were unlucky not to get anything from the game, with Ross Stewart and Ellis Simms both hitting the woodwork.

It is the first time since March 2021 - when the Canaries were on their way to winning the Championship - that they have won three successive matches, while it was a first win on their travels since a 3-0 success at Watford back in January.

Sunderland are still to win at the Stadium of Light in the current campaign as their wait for a first Championship victory in front of their own fans since May 2018 goes on.

The build-up to the game had been dominated by Neil, with the ex-Hamilton, Norwich and Preston manager having told his squad yesterday that he was heading down to Stoke.

But Sunderland's players did not feel sorry for themselves and regularly put the relegated Premier League side under pressure in a strong first half.

Canaries captain Grant Hanley was forced into a sensational diving headed block to keep out a goalbound volley from Black Cats opposite number Corry Evans just before the interval.

Norwich goalkeeper Tim Krul denied Ross Stewart his fourth goal of the season

Sunderland went even closer to taking the lead in the second half but were twice denied by a combination of the woodwork and the Norwich defence.

First, Norwich goalkeeper Tim Krul pushed Stewart's volley against the bar from five yards, while Hanley again made a fine block from the rebound, this time from ex-Norwich man Alex Pritchard.

Then from a Pritchard corner, Simms headed against the post as Sunderland looked for the goal their play merited.

But they were ultimately undone by Sargent who had twice gone close in the first half and could not miss from five yards after good work from substitute Aaron Ramsey.

The in-form striker's goals have earned wins against Huddersfield and Millwall and his strike was again enough for the three points, as the Canaries, the pre-season favourites for a third promotion in the last five seasons, start to readjust to life back in the Championship.

Norwich manager Dean Smith told BBC Radio Norfolk:

"We've played better and lost games this season. That was the worst we've been without the ball.

"But we've got quality in the team and when we do go and play in the opponent's half, you saw the quality in the build-up to the goal.

"But what pleased me most was the clean sheet and resilience to keep the ball out of the net, with some great blocks from both teams."