Norwich's defenders don't learn... they back off Abdoullah Ba again, allowing him time and space to fire in a shot from a similar position from which he opened the scoring.

This time his powerful shot is always rising and flies over his namesake...

Nearly an immediate impact for Sargent who almost charges down a clearance kick from Sunderland keeper Anthony Patterson.

Josh Sargent is reporting for duty. City's 11-goal leading scorer is off the bench with Adam Idah making way.

We're back underway....

Norwich have either failed to score (three times) or scored at least twice (six times) in their last nine league games.... so, what's it to be today, Canaries!

Big second half coming up shortly!

Abdoullah Ba was handed a start in place of the injured Amad Diallo and he has repaid Tony Mowbray's faith with his first Sunderland goal.

The Black Cats lead at the break, Norwich need to find some answers in the next 15 minutes and then put them into action in the final 45 minutes.

Two added minutes at the end of the first half... how Norwich would love a leveller before tucking into their tea and orange slices!

Onel Hernandez has been in imperious form in Norwich's recent good run, with four assists in his last five games.

He's found it tough going so far today, however, and has been switching from flank to flank in search of the ball and trying to find a spark. City certainly need one.

The slightly unlikely figure of Kenny McLean tries his luck from fully 25-yards but his effort clips Sunderland defender Dan Neil and wobbles through the air, making it slightly awkward for Anthony Patterson, who pats down and gathers at the second attempt.

Norwich striker Teemu Pukki is cutting a frustrated figure this afternoon and he's now had his name taken, which won't help.

He reaches out to pull back his opponent and that's enough for Tim Robinson to show him a card to match his shirt!

Patrick Roberts is keen to put on a show on his return to Carrow Road where he had a slightly frustrating loan spell.

He's shown some fine touches in the opening half-hour but this time he overhits a curling set-piece and sends it straight out of play. A waste.

To sum up Norwich's current malaise, Ben Gibson concedes a truly horrendous corner to hoots of derision from the stands. The home faithful are not sitting comfortably in the slightest.

City do however spring an effective offside trap to avert the subsequent danger.

Norwich have been all over the place in the past five or six minutes and they possibly need this breather... Max Aarons is getting treatment for a knee knock which looks to have been bothering him for the last few minutes. City fans will be desperate for him to continue... and he will!

Image source, Rex Features

It really should be 2-0. Joe Gelhardt beats the offside trap and latches onto a bouncing ball in the box but he fires his effort straight at Angus Gunn. Anywhere else and it's a goal.

Huge let-off for City.

Teemu Pukki turns provider this time, unselfishly pulling the ball back into the Sunderland box for Marcelino Nunez, however the Chilean's strike is tame and straight at Anthony Patterson.

Teemu Pukki glances on an inswinging free-kick but his connection is just too strong and it loops over Anthony Patterson's crossbar.

Norwich right-back Max Aarons leaves Jack Clarke for dust and ghosts into the right of the box to collect a ball over the top in space, he tries a side-footed effort which Anthony Patterson beats past the upright.

Lively start in the sunshine.

The matchup between two of the division's brightest lights, Jack Clarke and Max Aarons, on that flank is already living up to its billing...

More encouraging play from Sunderland down their left, this time the play is switched to Jack Clarke who cuts inside and fires in a low shot which Angus Gunn gets behind at his near post.

That one might have been better bent towards the far post, but Gunn got his positioning right once again.