The result keeps Sunderland’s survival bid firmly in its own hands and also means a stay of execution for Aston Villa, which must now avoid defeat at Manchester United in order to avoid relegation for at least another week.
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But there was nothing remotely amicable about this clash, with tempers boiling over virtually straight from the kick-off.
“Our clinical finishing at the right time put the game to bed and our defending was superb”.
He was seen to shove Norwich substitute Cameron Jerome out of the way before confronting O’Neil in the middle of the drama.
But it was Sunderland who struck again in the 53rd minute.
Norwich’s frustration grew when Younes Kaboul appeared to bring down Mbokani in the area, but Marriner waved play on.
Redmond forced Mannone to tip a fierce shot over the bar but Watmore bagged a third in injury time, latching onto Sebastian Larsson’s fine through ball before squeezing the ball past Ruddy at the near post.
Norwich as clear [2.50] favourites look to be a touch on the short side, while Sunderland at around [3.3] look a fraction too big. But the fiery Scot perhaps could have let more of his personality shine through this week in an effort to rouse his players.
Asked if his side needs to find a killer instinct in front of goal, the 61-year-old replied: “After the last two games and not scoring, yes”.
Norwich began the game without defender Timm Klose, who has been a solid part of its defense. For me, the second goal is certainly a free-kick on Bassong. Totally unnecessary and an almighty din.
Sunderland keeper Vito Mannone says the club could push on like Leicester in future years if they stick with manager Sam Allardyce.
He told BT Sport: ” It’s a fantastic 3-0 win for us, without us playing that well.
“We’re not going to get complacent or anything like that, but you have to use the momentum positively and take it into the next game”.
“Khazri didn’t quite go to the level we know he can and we have people on the bench who can come and did a little better”. “It was definitely a pen, and I took it as I know how”.
Borini turned from goalscorer to provider eight minutes into the second-half as his delicious cross was tapped in by the in-form Jermain Defoe.
Neil also said his team did not help themselves. “But as I said to the players before the game, if we got a clean sheet, we have enough goals in our team to win this game and we won it handsomely”. I am not sure all players think on that sort of level.
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“We have five other hard games where we have the chances to go above them”.
