Lewis Grabban brace leads Sunderland to victory over Norwich City

Sunderland have gained their first win of the Championship season after beating Norwich City 3-1 at Carrow Road.

Lewis Grabban scored twice against his former club and Aiden McGeady opened his Sunderland account before Grabban headed into his own net to add a consolation goal for Norwich.

Norwich had the ball in the net after 19 minutes after Cameron Jerome finished off a neat attacking move but the goal was ruled out for offside.

Russell Martin then had a chance to give Norwich the lead two minutes later but Jason Steele made the save.

Grabban opened the scoring in the 27th minute when he got behind the Norwich defence to collect James Vaughan’s flick-on. The striker was one-on-one and stroked the ball past Angus Gunn.

Norwich came out the blocks the quickest in the second half but found themselves two goals down against the run of play. McGeady put a stunning left-footer into the top corner from 20 yards.

McGeady turned provider for Sunderland’s third. He sent a delicious cross to Grabban who finished from nine yards.

Norwich did pull a goal back with 11 minutes remaining, and this time Grabban scored into the wrong end. The Sunderland defence failed to clear a James Maddison free-kick and Grabban diverted the ball into his own net.

Martin could have pulled Norwich to within a goal of Sunderland five minutes later but his shot hit the post.

The result sees Sunderland rise to seventh in the Championship table, while Norwich have dropped to 19th.