Matchday Musings: Jobe is the gift that keeps on giving as Sunderland beat Norwich
Today at 01:00 AM
A dominant second-half seals festive joy for Wearside amidst charitable milestones and tactical challenges.
In the week after Sunderland channelled their inner '05 Liverpool with an Istanbul-style comeback, over £40,000 was raised for the Sunderland Community Soup Kitchen, and Niall Quinn paid a visit to the Academy of Light to mark the 20th anniversary of the Niall Quinn Children's Centre. With the week's overarching theme of charity, Sunderland were in a giving mood on matchday, delivering a winning display against Norwich.
The Canaries, 2024's final visitors to the Stadium of Light, provided a sturdy challenge as Sunderland aimed to protect their unbeaten home record and send fans home with festive cheer. Team news saw Luke O'Nien replace Trai Hume at right-back after Hume reportedly fell ill during the week. Ian Poveda also returned to the matchday squad, featuring for the first time since his injury in October.
The opening exchanges were disjointed, with neither side able to gain control. Norwich quickly revealed their plan: defend with 11 men behind the ball and rely on counterattacks. It mirrored Sunderland's frustrating draw against West Brom last month, with Norwich looking comfortable soaking up pressure and stifling offensive efforts. Johannes Hoff Thorup's tactics effectively reduced Sunderland's attack to toothlessness.
In possession, Norwich were tidy and composed, a fact made evident when Anis Ben Slimane capitalised on Sunderland's failure to clear their lines. Norwich's 1-0 lead forced Sunderland into a familiar position: chasing the game. Yet, as before, there was no panic from the XI on the pitch.
Sunderland probed down the flanks, though Eliezer Mayenda and Patrick Roberts often ran into dead ends. The attack lacked penetration, and the team appeared incapable of breaking down Norwich's resolute defence.
The second half began with renewed energy, as if Régis Le Bris had delivered a rousing sermon at half-time. Sunderland asserted themselves immediately, and when Dan Ballard's header met Mayenda's cross, the equaliser felt inevitable. 1-1.
From there, the tide shifted. Wilson Isidor came close to replicating his spectacular solo goal against Hull but was denied by solid defending and an unlucky bounce. Moments later, Córdoba's dismissal reduced Norwich to ten men, and Sunderland quickly capitalised. Jobe, showing composure and class, cut back on his right foot before curling a brilliant effort into the net to secure the lead.
Anthony Patterson's late save preserved the victory, capping off a much-improved second-half performance. While the game exposed areas for improvement — missed chances in attack and defensive lapses — the result highlighted Sunderland's resilience. Good teams grind out wins even when they're not at their best, and Sunderland proved their mettle once again.
Dan Neil quietly excelled in midfield, while Jobe followed up his recent form with another crucial goal. Eliezer Mayenda remains more effective in a central role, and Adil Auochiche's strong impact from the bench could see him start soon.
Despite taxing conditions and subpar officiating, Sunderland's dominant second-half display, bolstered by two well-taken goals, ensured a merry Christmas on Wearside.
On a side note: Who is Marc Darcy, and why does anyone buy his menswear?
