Sunday March 17, 2013 Day 30 Finished Stadium of Light

Sunderland 1 - 1 Norwich City

  • Gardner 40’ (pen.)
  • Hoolahan 26’

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  1. Premier League - Handball controversy as Norwich hold Sunderland

    Premier League - Handball controversy as Norwich hold Sunderland

    Norwich survived a first-half red card shown to Mark Bunn and two harsh handball decisions to grab a 1-1 draw at Sunderland. More

  • Live Commentary

    Time:90'
    • Sunderland
    • Norwich City
    • - Don't forget you can watch highlights of this and every Premier League game from 00:01 on Monday.
    • 90+5' FULL TIME. Boos at the Stadium of Light as a controversial game ends in a 1-1 draw. Norwich will be the more satisfied after suffering some poor decisions but holding out for the point.
    • 90+4' O'Shea flicks on a free-kick but the ball spoons up into the air and out for a goal-kick. That should be that.
    • 90+3' Whittaker embarks on a great run down the left wing and somehow digs out a cross for Holt, but the striker doesn't quite anticipate it and the ball rolls across the face of the goal.
    • 90+2' Camp goes into the book for some classic timewasting.
    • 90' We will have four minutes of added time.
    • 89' Larsson goes into the box for tripping Martin as he tries to burst past him on the break.
    • 88' A change for Norwich as Steven Whittaker comes on for Snodgrass to tighten things up.
    • 87' CHANCE FOR SUNDERLAND! A cross from Gardner deflects and bounces up for Sessegnon, who is in plenty of space in the box. He measures up the shot but gets the finish all wrong as he scuffs his volley wide.
    • 85' The chances are drying up for Sunderland here. They seem to have no real idea of how to get this late goal they so desperately want.
    • 84' Sunderland make a change as Johnson is replaced by Connor Wickham. That's another body up front for the home side.
    • 82' Sunderland appear to be running out of ideas here. They should have won this game by now really.
    • 80' Johnson has a volley deflected behind for a corner but Sunderland don't make anything of the set-piece.
    • 78' A hilariously bad free-kick from Bennett as he lifts the ball high, high into the stands. Criminal given Snodgrass was standing next to him and is decent from those positions.
    • 77' Stat from Infostrada: "The last time Sunderland managed to win a PL match after falling a goal behind was earlier this season in January. At Wigan Athletic they won 3-2 after falling 1-0 behind."
    • 75' A change for Sunderland as Graham is replaced by James McClean. Graham has had a poor afternoon.
    • 73' The Sunderland players are furious and you can understand why. There was no need for Holt to go in like that, though credit to Mignolet, who got straight back up to smother the loose ball.
    • 72' HOLT BOOKED! The ball is lifted over the top and Bramble allows Holt to run off him and clear on goal! The striker is guilty of a horribly heavy touch and as Mignolet comes to claim the ball the Norwich man goes in dangerously.
    • 71' Norwich have now been completely screwed over by two handball claims - and they'll probably moan about the red card too. Lucky Chris Hughton is such a nice guy.
    • 71' A change for Sunderland as the injured Cuellar is replaced by Bramble.
    • 70' There was certainly not intent in that than the Bassong incident. Rose's arm was away from his body and he didn't exactly try to pull it out of the way.
    • 69' The Norwich fans howl for handball when a cross from Martin catches the arm of Rose - but the visitors are on the wrong end of a decision again!
    • 68' Cuellar gets a kick near the byline but it's a corner to Norwich. They fail to test Mignolet from the set-piece though.
    • 67' Johnson gets into an advanced position but his cross is lacking in accuracy - not for the first time today.
    • 66' Stat from Infostrada: "Sunderland and Norwich are the two teams who have scored the least goals in the second half this PL season. Sunderland have scored 14 goals, Norwich 13."
    • 64' Change for Norwich as Kamara, who has been very willing, is replaced by Grant Holt in attack.
    • 62' Still the chances come for Sunderland as Johnson collects the ball in a central area and pings a rather hopeful attempt at goal from 25 yards. Camp has it comfortably enough.
    • 60' Kamara chases down a ball through the centre of the pitch but Mignolet is off his line quickly to boot the ball clear.
    • 59' SUNDERLAND GO CLOSE! Gardner, again, with a chance as he gets the ball to the right of the box, works an inch of space and unleashes a fierce drive that Camp just manages to turn over the bar.
    • 58' Stat from Opta: "Norwich have scored more direct free kicks than any other team this season but all four came in a spell between November 28 and December 29."
    • 57' Kamara gets in behind to meet a deep free-kick but as he stoops to head back across goal he fails to find a team-mate in a crowded box.
    • 55' Kamara lays the ball off to Bennett and he drags a shot wide of the near post. A rare chance for Norwich.
    • 54' Gardner is having a storming game from right-back and gets another shot away. However it is too close to Camp and the keeper saves with ease.
    • 53' Sessegnon spreads the ball wide to Gardner and he produces a dangerous low cross for Fletcher at the near post. Bassong spots the danger though and clears well.
    • 52' Sunderland have a claim for another penalty as Fletcher is pushed by Martin as a cross comes in from the right. It's hard to say how much contact there really was though.
    • 51' Graham hits the byline and chips in a teasing cross to the centre of the goal - but he can't pick out a home shirt.
    • 50' Kamara puts the ball out of play so Bennett can receive treatment. He got an arm in the face from Rose but it looked accidental.
    • 48' Stat from Infostrada: "Norwich are winless in their last five PL away matches in which they were drawn at the half (1L -4D). Their last win: 2-1 at Tottenham after 1-1 at half time in April 2012."
    • 47' Mignolet comes to claim the ball on the edge of the box and the Norwich fans appeal rather optimistically for another handball. Not this time.
    • 46' KICK OFF!
    • 45+3' HALF TIME. Rose sees a shot turned round the post by Camp and that's that for an action-packed half. Sunderland 1-1 Norwich.
    • 45+1' Norwich are going to be furious at the break and I think they can feel aggrieved at the penalty call. However, Bunn deserved to go.
    • 45' Three minutes of added time in this first half.
    • 43' Stat from Infostrada: "Craig Gardner scores his fourth penalty of the season, becoming the person with the most penalty goals this PL season alongside Chelsea's Frank Lampard."
    • 42' Larsson unleashes from long range and forces Camp into a scrambling save! Graham scuffs the follow up with the goal at his mercy.
    • 41' In amongst all that, Robert Snodgrass was booked for his furious reaction to the penalty award.
    • 40' GOAL! Sunderland 1-1 Norwich! Gardner smashes the penalty home to equalise. Controversial, as there was very little intent on the part of Bassong.
    • 39' Bassong controlled the ball with his chest initially before it brushed his bicep.
    • 38' Penalty to Sunderland! Bassong penalised for handball!
    • 37' Norwich hoof the ball away under more pressure from Sunderland - a pattern is emerging.
    • 36' A corner is cleared out to Bennett and he snatches at his shot as he gets under the ball and sends it spinning high into the air.
    • 35' Stat from Infostrada: "Mark Bunn receives the first red card for Norwich this PL season. Norwich were one of four teams to yet be shown a red card this season. The others are current opponents Sunderland, Man United and Southampton."
    • 34' Norwich will close ranks now and I don't think it's going to be a very open game. They sacrificed their key creative influence in Hoolahan and will sit back and soak up pressure.
    • 33' SUNDERLAND GO CLOSE! Gardner takes the free-kick, finally, and curls a vicious effort just past the post. Camp had no chance with it.
    • 32' And here is the change, and it's no surprise to see luxury player Hoolahan come off as Camp comes on to defend the free-kick.
    • 31' Bunn sits in a funk as Lee Camp gets ready to come on in his place.
    • 30' Bunn is FURIOUS. He shouts at the ref and casts his gloves to the ground in disgust as he comes off the pitch.
    • 29' RED CARD! Bunn is dismissed! Turner produces a poor header back and as Graham tries to take the ball on, Bunn runs out of the box and blocks the ball with his arm! A clear red.
    • 28' Sunderland want an equaliser but when Sessegnon offloads to Rose, he smacks his shot high into the air from 25 yards.
    • 27' It's been a very poor game but Norwich find themselves in front. I take back that prediction about it being the worst game of the season.
    • 26' GOAL! Sunderland 0-1 Norwich! The corner is whipped in from the right and Kamara leaps superbly to head the ball back at goal. It is going in but Hoolahan helps it on its way on the line.
    • 25' Sustained pressure from Sunderland now and this time it is O'Shea who must intervene to clear from a Bennett cross. Corner to Norwich...
    • 24' Cuellar impresses as he heads away again, this time preventing Kamara from getting on the end of a cross from the near side of the pitch.
    • 23' Nice work from Cuellar as he uses his chest to clear behind for a corner when a dangerous cross comes in from the right. Sunderland clear from the set-piece too.
    • 22' Graham collects the ball in the centre circle and turns before feeding Sessegnon. Norwich are unable to get the ball clear and it pops up for the Sunderland star on the edge of the box, but his finish is terrible as he slices the ball miles off target.
    • 21' Going to make a confident prediction that this will be one of the worst games in the Premier League this season. We have been treated to one half chance so far.
    • 19' Johnson, all patched up after that free-kick smacked into his nose, tries to feed a ball in behind but sends it out for a goal-kick for Sunderland.
    • 18' As the statistics suggested, this has been a very poor game so far. Sunderland looking to hit it long and Norwich barely any better.
    • 17' Stat from Infostrada: "Norwich have scored a total of four PL goals in 2013 so far - less than any other team. Only one of those was in the first half."
    • 15' Bassong clears behind from a free-kick and from the resulting corner, O'Shea is unable to get his header down at the back post. The ball was far too high for him to have a chance.
    • 14' Better from Carlos Cuellar as he sticks out a leg to prevent Hoolahan getting on the end of a pass from Johnson in midfield.
    • 13' More unconvincing stuff from O'Shea as he runs out of ideas 40 yards from his own goal, turns away from his marker and plays a pass to nowhere. He has been a bit poor so far.
    • 11' The impact of the ball on Johnson's face has left his nose bloodied, would you believe, so he ambles over for a quick change of shirt.
    • 10' After waiting an age, Sebastian Larsson curls his effort against the wall, and specifically the face of Johnson. Ouch.
    • 9' Sessegnon wins a free-kick when being fouled 25 yards from goal in a central position...
    • 8' Graham hurt himself in that incident but after a brief bit of treatment is back up and running.
    • 6' In comes the delivery from Gardner. Danny Graham nods down to Steven Fletcher, who can't get a shot away as he grapples with Sebastien Bassong. Graham looks to latch onto the loose ball and tuck it away but Bunn smothers it.
    • 5' Stephane Sessegnon tries to break clear on the right wing but Johnson hauls him to ground to concede the foul. Sunderland line up a free-kick...
    • 4' Snodgrass delivers a corner and Kamara sticks out a leg to control with his back to goal. For a split-second he looks ready to execute an overhead kick but hesitates and loses possession.
    • 3' John O'Shea gives away possession with a very sloppy pass and Norwich go on to win a corner through Robert Snodgrass. They take it short and Bradley Johnson has a shot blocked on the edge of the box.
    • 2' From the set-piece, Mark Bunn does well to punch the ball clear under considerable pressure at the back post.
    • 2' It's a lively start from Sunderland that gets the home side enthused from the off. Craig Gardner muscles his way free down the right and sees a cross headed behind for a corner.
    • 1' KICK OFF! Sunderland attacking left to right in their traditional red and white stripes.
    • 13:25 Are you following our official Twitter feed? Get involved now. Follow Eurosport (@EurosportCom_EN) on Twitter
    • 13:20 Time for some Opta stats then: "Norwich have failed to score in six of their last eight Premier League games. Steven Fletcher has scored the first goal of a game on seven occasions in the Premier League this season, more than any other player. Norwich have drawn six games 0-0 this season, more than any other Premier League side, Sunderland, meanwhile, have four."
    • 13:15 It emerged this week that a group of Sunderland stars had shelved a planned trip to Cheltenham Festival. O'Neill said: "Initially, they had asked for it, as they had done for the last number of years, and it's fine. But when you are looking at some results, enjoyment can come later. Let's go and win some matches first, that would be the most important issue. My own view is that it was the proper thing to do." Safety first for O'Neill
    • 13:10 Chris Hughton: "It's about looking after your own business. You hope that if you're able to get good enough results you don't have to worry so much about other results. We're all in there fighting; everybody's desperate to get points. It is a tough part of the season where you can get unexpected results. There is so much football to be played still." Hughton wants Canaries in control
    • 13:05 Norwich have only lost one of their past six games, though wins have proved equally hard to come by. They sit nine points clear of the relegation zone and a win today would put them on 36 points, which could well be enough to stay up. Sunderland are only six points clear of the bottom three after losing four of their past five matches and have 30 points. Premier League table
    • 13:00 Norwich make two changes from the side that drew 0-0 at home to Southampton last weekend as Grant Holt drops to the bench to be replaced by Wes Hoolahan, playing off lone striker Kei Kamara, and Elliott Bennett comes in for Anthony Pilkington, who is out for a few weeks with a hamstring injury.
    • 12:55 TEAMS: Sunderland: Mignolet, Gardner, O'Shea, Cuellar, Rose, Vaughan, Larsson, Johnson, Sessegnon, Fletcher, Graham. Subs: Westwood, Bardsley, N'Diaye, Wickham, Colback, Bramble, McClean. /// Norwich: Bunn, R.Martin, Bassong, Turner, Garrido, Johnson, Howson, E.Bennett, Snodgrass, Hoolahan, Kamara. Subs: Camp, Whittaker, Holt, Jackson, Fox, Becchio, R Bennett.
    • 12:50 Sunderland make three changes from the side that lost 3-1 away at QPR last weekend. Danny Rose, Carlos Cuellar and David Vaughan coming in for Jack Colback, Titus Bramble and Alfred N'Diaye. Connor Wickham also earns a place on the bench after returning from a loan spell at Sheffield Wednesday. Full teams with you shortly.
    • 12:45 Hello and welcome to this most super of Super Sunday's as we bring you live commentary on the Premier League game between Sunderland and Norwich.

  • Summary

    • 87' CHANCE FOR SUNDERLAND! A cross from Gardner deflects and bounces up for Sessegnon, who is in plenty of space in the box. He measures up the shot but gets the finish all wrong as he scuffs his volley wide.
    • 69' The Norwich fans howl for handball when a cross from Martin catches the arm of Rose - but the visitors are on the wrong end of a decision again!
    • 59' SUNDERLAND GO CLOSE! Gardner, again, with a chance as he gets the ball to the right of the box, works an inch of space and unleashes a fierce drive that Camp just manages to turn over the bar.
    • 42' Larsson unleashes from long range and forces Camp into a scrambling save! Graham scuffs the follow up with the goal at his mercy.
    • 40' GOAL! Sunderland 1-1 Norwich! Gardner smashes the penalty home to equalise. Controversial, as there was very little intent on the part of Bassong.
    • 38' Penalty to Sunderland! Bassong penalised for handball!
    • 33' SUNDERLAND GO CLOSE! Gardner takes the free-kick, finally, and curls a vicious effort just past the post. Camp had no chance with it.
    • 29' RED CARD! Bunn is dismissed! Turner produces a poor header back and as Graham tries to take the ball on, Bunn runs out of the box and blocks the ball with his arm! A clear red.
    • 26' GOAL! Sunderland 0-1 Norwich! The corner is whipped in from the right and Kamara leaps superbly to head the ball back at goal. It is going in but Hoolahan helps it on its way on the line.
    • 6' In comes the delivery from Gardner. Danny Graham nods down to Steven Fletcher, who can't get a shot away as he grapples with Sebastien Bassong. Graham looks to latch onto the loose ball and tuck it away but Bunn smothers it.
    • 12:55 TEAMS: Sunderland: Mignolet, Gardner, O'Shea, Cuellar, Rose, Vaughan, Larsson, Johnson, Sessegnon, Fletcher, Graham. Subs: Westwood, Bardsley, N'Diaye, Wickham, Colback, Bramble, McClean. /// Norwich: Bunn, R.Martin, Bassong, Turner, Garrido, Johnson, Howson, E.Bennett, Snodgrass, Hoolahan, Kamara. Subs: Camp, Whittaker, Holt, Jackson, Fox, Becchio, R Bennett.

Team Line-up & Ratings

  • Line-up

    Live Team Line-Up

  • Rate Players

    Rate Players

    Please to rate the players.

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    • Player Y! Users Expert My Rating
      Goalkeeper
      5.4 6
      Defenders
      Goal 5.4 7
      5.8 5
      Substitution Out71′ 4.7 7
      4.3 6
      Midfielders
      Yellow Card 4.7 6
      4.5 5
      4.9 5
      Substitution Out84′ 4.2 6
      Strikers
      Substitution Out75′ 4.9 5
      4.1 6
      Subs
      Substitution In71′ 2.3 5
      Substitution In84′ 2.3 -
      Substitution In75′ 3.6 5
    • Player Y! Users Expert My Rating
      Goalkeeper
      Red Card 6.6 5
      Defenders
      6.6 8
      7.4 6
      6.7 5
      6.4 6
      Midfielders
      5.9 6
      6.6 6
      6 5
      Yellow Card Substitution Out89′ 6.8 6
      Strikers
      Goal Substitution Out32′ 5.8 7
      Substitution Out65′ 6.8 6
      Subs
      Substitution In65′ Yellow Card 5.8 5
      Substitution In32′ Yellow Card 6.7 6
      Substitution In89′ 6.6 -

Comment 78 - 98 of 98

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  1. Nazi, not true, no more than any other team including­ yours and we certainly didn't do what McManaman­ did, each time I see it, it looks worse, he­ couldn't have meant to do anything other than wipe­ out Haidara. Ok, his intention probably wasn't to­ cripple him but he certainly intended to hurt him but,­ if you think that's ok because Tiote pushed one of­ their players to the floor, that's your­ prerogative!!!

    From JONNY, on Mon 18 Mar 16:29

  2. Blobby, thats very kind of you, DONT BELIEVE YOU FOR­ ONE 4-kin SECOND !!! Thing is your team was dishing it­ out as well !

    From Joseph, on Mon 18 Mar 14:44

  3. Nazi, Some good points and correct, it does even itself­ out over the season, that's why I say when it­ doesn't go your way, look back at games like this­ where it all went your way. As for your ending­ "your­ luck ran out ,you were shyte and are an­ average, dirty­ team!" as we come back from Wigan­ two men down, one possibly out for a year or more and­ and handball flick on for Wigans winner. I'll say­ it again, what goes around comes around but I hope we­ don't do that to anyone and after what happened,­ Martinez reaction, the ref letting McManaman off, then­ the audacity to cheat after putting one of our lads in­ hospital, I hope Wigan get relegated, even if it means­ you staying up!!

    From JONNY, on Mon 18 Mar 12:52

  4. Blobby,as seen through your black and white specs­ again!! Look, we were shyte no doubt about it but as­ you keep saying decisions even themselves out !!! ­ Having said that I cant see where our next win is­ coming from ! Yes, we were that bad it was­ embarrassing! Look to yourselves though Blobby,your­ luck ran out ,you were shyte and are an average, dirty­ team!

    From Joseph, on Mon 18 Mar 12:34

  5. Mark 93."We had the chances to win but fair play­ to Norwich for­ grabbing the point" No you­ didn't!!

    From JONNY, on Sun 17 Mar 21:09

  6. down to the bookies asap sunderland to go down with qpr­ and reading ,its a sure thing

    From ER, on Sun 17 Mar 20:06

  7. As a neutral, having watched this match on TV, I really­ do feel justified in questioning the professional­ competence of at least one of the officials in this­ match. There were two identical incidents involving one­ linesman and, of course, the referee, relating to the­ judgement of deliberate handball on virtually the same­ section of the pitch yet they were judged completely­ differently. In the first half incident the­ referee.presumably on the advice of the linesman,­ awarded a penalty against Norwich and, as a result,­ Sunderland equalised! In the second half an almost­ identical incident, same spot, same linesman, but­ different player/team and nothing was awarded!! This­ second incident appeared so much more obvious than the­ first which is why the competence of the linesman is­ questioned? I know we have the benefit of TV replays­ but this was so obviously a judgemental error given the­ earlier decision, I just wonder why the decisions were­ treated so differently? To their credit Norwich­ survived another contentious decision by the referee­ which resulted in their goalkeeper being rather harshly­ sent off, which again put a question mark against the­ judgement of the official, and they managed to hold on­ for a point wiyh 10 men!!

    From Dave.C, on Sun 17 Mar 17:57
  8. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    Did Norwich buy a striker from Leeds called Becchio ? ­ I wonder why they even bothered(he never plays) or was­ it just to make up a Quartet of ex Leeds lads !!!

    From B4ts, on Sun 17 Mar 16:31

  9. We had the chances to win but fair play to Norwich for­ grabbing the point. Honestly speaking I think that,­ if it wasn't for the 60 mil TV deal next year,­ Sunderland would be better off going down and then­ rebuilding with younger, hungrier players. What are we­ going to do next year if we stay up? Play the same­ tired old has beens and never will be's? I honestly­ think we would be better off dropping a division,­ buying some quality young players and let them cut­ their teeth in the Championship. Our squad is simply­ awful. If we don't go down this year then I can­ easily see it happening next season. We could invest in­ the Summer but no top players want to play for our­ club. The best we get are cast-off's from better­ teams. Why didn't we raid the French leagues like­ Newcastle did? It has long been known that you get­ quality, fair priced players who will do a job for you.­ Obviously with the 60 million pound TV deal,­ dropping down is not an option but those are my­ thoughts. Looking at our run-in we may not have a­ choice though. Hate to say it but I can't see us­ getting anything in our next 4 games. Maybe a point at­ Newcastle, but at this stage I would not surprised if­ they absolutely creamed us.

    From Mark, on Sun 17 Mar 16:25

  10. Sunderland are #$%$ any way i would be booing if i paid­ £300 plus for season tickets but lets be right when­ have they ever been a good side never, fools that pay­ the prices twist every week but they still pay to watch­ a first division side fools

    From ELIZABETH, on Sun 17 Mar 16:13

  11. Well a 1-1 draw is OK for Norwich,away from home 10 men­ against 14!,City fans will be happier than Sunderland,­ at least they know they were robbed of three points by­ poor refereeing,Sunderland were just rubbish and­ did'nt have a clue.

    From Mally, on Sun 17 Mar 16:03

  12. Have you all read the commentary "Norwich will be­ the more satisfied" about what? They had­ Sunderland in their pocket until the ref ruined it, a­ dodgy sending off, and even dodgier pen, I can live­ with that but a blatant hand ball in the box by Rose­ and it's a free kick outside the box. I think every­ single Sunderland fan will be a lot more satisfied than­ any of the travelling Norwich fans!!!

    From JONNY, on Sun 17 Mar 15:51

  13. sunderland will be relegated this season. What a­ shambles heartless, clueless and ultimately pointless

    From Maxisdad, on Sun 17 Mar 15:46

  14. Great result for Southampton

    From Scooby Doo, on Sun 17 Mar 15:39

  15. Football is about playing football and should not be­ about referees, which this game will be remembered for.

    From armadilla, on Sun 17 Mar 15:36

  16. BENT.......................WAS HE PLAYING.

    From peter, on Sun 17 Mar 15:35

  17. well sunderland im ashamed to be a supporter this was­ the worst performance iv seen in 20 years oniel should­ be sacked along with the rest of the team, if thats the­ best they can do against ten men well they deserve to­ be relegated

    From edwin, on Sun 17 Mar 15:33

  18. Sunderland didn't deserve anything out of that­ game, the referee prevented them from being massacred.­ The fans booed Sunderland off the pitch, they should­ have come on the pitch and carried the ref off on their­ shoulders, Wigan, QPR, Reading and Villa are all better­ than Sunderland but it's luck like this that keeps­ Sunderland just above them!!!!

    From JONNY, on Sun 17 Mar 15:31

  19. #$%$

    From David, on Sun 17 Mar 15:31

  20. Norwich were robbed

    From Darin, on Sun 17 Mar 15:31
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