Premier League - Norwich defeat atrocious 10-man Sunderland

Alexander Tettey strikes a 30-yard volley for Norwich against Sunderland (Getty)

Premier League, Carrow Road - Norwich City 2 (Snodgrass 20’ Tettey 32’) Sunderland 0

Norwich City pulled away from the relegation zone with a 2-0 victory over Sunderland. Sunderland struggled in the first half, and an energetic Norwich City took advantage with an energetic performance.

Their first goal came when Wes Brown failed to clear a cross, sending the ball to Johan Elmander who passed back for Robert Snodgrass to drill into the corner of the goal on 20 minutes.

Twelve minutes later, Alexander Tettey let fly with a brilliant volley from 25 yards out, straight into the top corner. The limp display forced Gus Poyet to swap Jack Colback and Ki Sung-Yeung for Sebastian Larsson and Lee Cattermole before half time. Two minutes later, they had a penalty turned down.

City started brightly in the second half, with Ricky van Wolfswinkel having a header tipped over. Brown then thumped a close-range header straight at John Ruddy. Norwich had the best chance as Snodgrass curled a free-kick just over. Defeat was guaranteed when Marcos Alonso was sent off for a second yellow card in the 92nd minute.

MAN OF THE MATCH

Alexander Tettey (Norwich City): Norwich did not have to play anywhere near close to well to beat a rotten Sunderland, so Tettey deserves the award for a preposterously well-struck volley for Norwich.

PLAYER RATINGS

Norwich: Ruddy 6, Martin 6, Yobo 6, Bassong 6, Olsson 7, Snodgrass 6, Howson 6, Tettey 7, Hoolahan 6, Elmander 6, van Wolfswinkel 6. Subs: Johnson 6, Hooper 6, Redmond 6.

Sunderland: Mannone 6, Bardsley 5, Alonso 5, O'Shea 5, Brown 5, Bridcutt 4, Colback 4, Ki 4, Johnson 5, Borini 5, Altidore 5. Subs: Larsson 5, Scocco 5, Cattermole 5.