The last few years have been quite the journey for Sunderland, and not always positive, but one good memory sticks out from 2016.
In the last decade alone, Sunderland have fallen out of the top flight and dropped straight into League One the following year, before fighting their way back to the second tier in 2022.
The club is now competing at the top of the Championship once more, and Regis Le Bris has Sunderland on track for promotion as things stand.
As Sunderland prepare to face Norwich this weekend, we’ve taken a look back at one very memorable clash between the two clubs from recent history.
Sunderland had to win to survive, and they more than delivered on the day
The 2015/16 campaign was, on the whole, one to forget for Sunderland, who were involved in a relegation battle for almost the entire season.
Most neutrals will remember that season as the year Leicester City won the Premier League title against the odds, but for Sunderland fans, there were celebrations of a different kind, as the Black Cats stayed up on the final day.
Even more sweet is the fact Sunderland’s survival condemned local rivals Newcastle United to relegation in their place, and it all happened thanks to a much-needed win against Norwich at the end of the season.
| Position | Team | Games | Won | Drawn | Lost | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17 | Sunderland | 38 | 9 | 12 | 17 | 39 |
| 18 | Newcastle | 38 | 9 | 10 | 19 | 37 |
| 19 | Norwich | 38 | 9 | 7 | 22 | 34 |
| 20 | Aston Villa | 38 | 3 | 8 | 27 | 17 |
Sunderland travelled to Carrow Road needing a win to stay up. And, thanks to goals from Jermain Defoe, Fabio Borini, and Duncan Watmore, Sam Allardyce’s side duly delivered in a 3-0 victory.
It was Sunderland’s first league win away at Norwich since 1985 (though the Black Cats had triumphed there in the League Cup in 2009).
Interestingly, Alex Neil was in charge of the Canaries at the time, long before he would go on to become Sunderland manager in 2022.
Unfortunately, Sunderland finished rock bottom of the Premier League the following year, starting the slippery decline that has only just begun to be rectified by the club’s new owners.
A win against Norwich this weekend would be huge in hunt for promotion
Sunderland will certainly be hoping for a similar result this weekend when Norwich come to the Stadium of Light in the latest meeting between the two sides.
We know Sunderland will have to start strong against Johannes Hoff Thorup’s team, but with home advantage on their side, the Black Cats should prevail.
A win would maintain Sunderland’s impressive unbeaten home record this season, and keep them within touching distance of the automatic promotion spots as we head for the halfway stage of the season.
| Position | Team | Played MP | Won W | Drawn D | Lost L | For GF | Against GA | Diff GD | Points Pts |
| 1 |  Sheff UtdSheffield Utd | 21 | 14 | 5 | 2 | 30 | 11 | 19 | 45 |
| 2 |  LeedsLeeds | 21 | 12 | 6 | 3 | 37 | 15 | 22 | 42 |
| 3 |  BurnleyBurnley | 21 | 11 | 8 | 2 | 26 | 8 | 18 | 41 |
| 4 |  SunderlandSunderland | 21 | 11 | 7 | 3 | 32 | 17 | 15 | 40 |
| 5 |  BlackburnBlackburn | 20 | 11 | 4 | 5 | 25 | 17 | 8 | 37 |
| 6 |  MiddlesbroughMiddlesbrough | 21 | 10 | 4 | 7 | 35 | 25 | 10 | 34 |
Norwich may be highly inconsistent, but on their day, they can be one of the best teams in the league. Defeating them this weekend will be a real signal of intent from Le Bris’ young squad as to how seriously they can be taken as title contenders.