Sunderland stopped the rot and rejoined the Championship play-off race as they earned a hard-fought win at Norwich City. The Black Cats had been experiencing a dip, with just one point from their last four games - a run that included three successive defeats - which had seen them drop into midtable.
But Abdoullah Ba's first goal in English football, scored on the quarter-hour mark at Carrow Road, was enough to see off play-off rivals Norwich. Sunderland had to withstand heavy pressure from the Canaries in the second half but they stood firm to keep a clean sheet.
And the victory lifted them to tenth in the table, and cut the gap between themselves and the play-off places to five points with ten games remaining. Sunderland are back in action on Wednesday night when second-placed Sheffield United visit the Stadium of Light.
READ MORE: Abdoullah Ba strikes as Sunderland rejoin play-off battle with victory at Norwich City
Here's how our Sunderland AFC writer James Hunter rated the players.
Anthony Patterson 8
Made several excellent saves when called upon, probably the best of which saw him deny Aarons in the first half
Trai Hume 8
An excellent game at right-back
Dan Ballard 8
Outstanding at the heart of defence, he barely put a foot wrong
Danny Batth 8
Put his body on the line in the second half to make a couple of crucial blocks
Luke O'Nien 8
Came in at left-back and did a fine job, playing a big role in keeping that clean sheet
Dan Neil 8
Involved in everything in central midfield, broke up play and used the ball well
Edouard Michut 7
Showed some neat touches in the middle of the park
Patrick Roberts 7
Caused problems for Norwich down the right and started the move that led to the goal
Abdoullah Ba 7
Had big boots to fill replacing Amad, but performed well and it was his goal that settled matters
Jack Clarke 8
Sunderland's star turn going forward, Aarons couldn't handle him
Joe Gelhardt 7
His best all-round performance yet for Sunderland, produced the assist for the goal and should have scored one himself soon afterwards
Subs
Lynden Gooch 7
For Ba 67mins. Returned after two months out injured and played his part in seeing out the game
Pierre Ekwah 6
For Michut 67mins. Fresh legs in the final quarter of the match
Isaac Lihadji N/A
For Gelhardt 78mins.
Not used: Bass, Taylor, Bennette, Anderson
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