Norwich City secured their first win of the Premier League season as they cruised a 3-1 victory over Sunderland at the Stadium of Light.
Russell Martin put his side ahead in the 26th minute and Steven Whittaker doubled their advantage before the break with a well-taken goal down the right.
Nathan Redmond put the result beyond doubt with a neat finish in the second half, while Duncan Watmore netted a consolation goal for Dick Advocaat's men.
Here, Sports Mole analyses how Norwich won the match at the Stadium of Light.
Match statistics
Sunderland
Shots: 6
On target: 2
Possession: 44%
Corners: 6
Fouls: 7
Norwich
Shots: 19
On target: 6
Possession: 56%
Corners: 6
Fouls: 7
Was the result fair?
The result was most certainly fair, Norwich were head and shoulders above the Black Cats in every area of the pitch this afternoon. The Canaries were solid at the back for the majority of the game and used the ball well in midfield. Their desire in the middle of the park was notable as they pressured the Sunderland midfielders whenever they were on the ball. Cameron Jerome also helped by closing down Sebastian Coates and Younes Kaboul at the back, leading to mistakes from the home side. Sunderland's defending was the stuff of amateurs, but Alex Neil's men did display composure in the around the box with neat finishes for their second and third goals.
Sunderland's performance
The Black Cats were competitive for around 25 minutes in match, but after Martin scored the first goal for the Canaries they lacked the fight to get back into the match. Their defending throughout the contest was atrocious as they allowed Robbie Brady time and space in the final third on two occasions before he finally drove at goal, leading to Martin's opener. The second and the third goal were a nightmare from Advocaat's point of view as his side were cut open down the left, with Patrick van Aanholt especially guilty of switching off. Sunderland lacked any potency in the final third to provide a challenge to the visitors until the introduction of Watmore, who provided a spark.
Norwich's performance
Although Sunderland were terrible, Norwich still had to go out and play well and that is exactly what they did. Neil's men bossed the contest and dominated the middle of the park. They used the ball well in the final third of the pitch by getting it to their key players as Redmond and Brady proved to be a thorn in the side of the Black Cats all afternoon. Their first goal of the afternoon was a tad fortunate, but their second and third were well worked through the midfield and finished well by Whittaker and Redmond. Defensively they were solid as a unit, although they did allow their concentration to slip in the final few minutes as Watmore scored a late consolation goal. Neil will be delighted with his side this evening and now they have good platform to kick on.
Sports Mole's man of the match
Nathan Redmond: It could have been one of several players, and Wes Hoolahan did deserve a lot of plaudits, but Redmond was a real thorn in the side of the Black Cats throughout the contest. His pace and direct play put them on the back foot and he could have added further goals to his tally, other than his fine finish for the third goal. Excellent performance from the winger.
Biggest gaffe Take your pick from Sunderland's mistakes for the Norwich goals, but it has to be the third when Lee Cattermole and Van Aanholt switched off from a throw-in to allow Redmond to collect the ball and exchange a one-two before slotting the ball past Pantilimon. Defending that does not belong in the Premier League.
Referee performance Kevin Friend had a very quiet afternoon as he was called on to do very little. The yellow cards he handed out were deserved and he seemed to make all the correct calls. Good performance from the official.
What next?
Sunderland: The Black Cats take on Swansea City at the Stadium of Light next week.
Norwich: Neil's men face Stoke City at Carrow Road.
Simon Sinclair
