Premier League: Norwich v Sunderland

Summary

Sunderland climb to within a point of safety
Sunderland XI: Mannone; Yedlin, van Aanholt, Kaboul, Kone, Kirchhoff, M'Vila, Cattermole, Borini, Khazri, Defoe
Norwich XI: Ruddy; Wisdom, Bennett, Bassong, Olsson; Jarvis, Howson, O'Neil (c), Brady; Naismith; Mbokani

Live Reporting

Luke Reddy

Team newspublished at 12:11 British Summer Time 16 April 2016
Norwich v Sunderland (12:45 BST)
We have just one change to discuss across the both teams and it's in the Norwich back line.
Defender Timm Klose was "wrapped in cotton wool" according to manager Alex Neil but it's done him no good. He's out, in comes Sebastien Bassong.
Sunderland are unchanged but fans' favourite Duncan Watmore is back on the bench.
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Anyone for a red?published at 12:10 British Summer Time 16 April 2016
Norwich v Sunderland (12:45 BST)
Image source, Getty Images
But Norwich and Sunderland don't care one jot that Aston Villa's famous name will feature alongside Brentford and Huddersfield next season. This is all about them, when relegation knocks at your door, you tell it to get lost and kick and punch it up your driveway no questions asked.
There's so much on the line, I fancy a red card in this one today. Team news next.
Did you know? There has been a red card in three of the last four Premier League meetings between the Black Cats and the Canaries.
A new low...published at 12:06 British Summer Time 16 April 2016
Norwich v Sunderland (12:45 BST)
Image source, Getty Images
That last banner of course belonged to Aston Villa supporters.
Can you blame them? The Villa have been frankly pathetic this season.
This is their 28th-straight season in the top tier, a run that will end next season as if Norwich pick up a point today, the Midlands club are relegated.
Villa won the European Cup in 1982. Time waits for no man.
Don't mess it up...published at 12:03 British Summer Time 16 April 2016
Norwich v Sunderland (12:45 BST)
Failure today and both Norwich and Sunderland players know reactions like this may not be a billion miles away...
Image source, Reuters
Relegation can do strange things to a fanbase. Even the most loyal can be turned.
Don't mess it up lads. That aching you feel in your shoulders, that's the weight of expectation on you. An honour passed from supporters and given to you in trust. Don't mess it up lads.
Watch through your fingers...published at 11:46 British Summer Time 16 April 2016
Norwich v Sunderland (12:45 BST)
Welcome to the pain game.
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You want to watch but you just can't. A season hangs in the balance. The embarrassment of relegation looms large. What stick will you take in work? What will that annoying brother in law have to say to wind you up? These games are cup finals and league title bonanzas all in one. Lose them and what does the future hold for your club?
Welcome to the pain game.
Image source, Reuters