Promotion-chasing Sunderland turned in a below-par display at Norwich and could count themselves fortunate to come away from Carrow Road with a goalless draw.
The visitors were put under intense pressure in the opening stages by a side all-but out of the Championship play-off race and were fortunate the Canaries were unable to make the most of the series of chances they created.
It was a more even game after the break, with Sunderland having more of the play, but neither goalkeeper was seriously challenged as Regis Le Bris’ side missed an opportunity to put some pressure on the three sides above them in the table.
Norwich dominated the opening period against a side who looked strangely out of the sorts with the likes of Jobe Bellingham, Romaine Mundle and top scorer Wilson Isidor not in the starting line-up.
The Canaries went close on nine minutes when Anis Ben Slimane’s header grazed the upright and were almost handed a goal on a plate moments later when Dan Neil was caught in possession.
Borja Sainz quickly found himself with just Anthony Patterson to beat but the visiting keeper, whose poor pass had led to the opportunity, redeemed himself by making an excellent stop.
Sainz later planted a header straight at Patterson and Jacob Wright fired just wide from distance as the hosts continued to dictate proceedings.
The Blacks Cats failed to register a shot on or off target in the lacklustre opening 45 minutes, although Eliezer Mayenda should at least have tested Angus Gunn after Norwich had made a hash of playing out from the back.
Norwich continued to look the more likely to break the deadlock in the early stages of the second period but with the visitors defending well, clear-cut chances were at a premium.
At the other end, Mayenda again fluffed his lines when he miss-kicked with a clear sight of goal before firing into the side-netting after working himself some space in a crowded box.
Marcelino Nunez had what looked like a goalbound shot blocked in the closing stages but the match fizzled out into an instantly forgettable goalless draw.
