SUNDERLAND secured a Premier League lifeline by claiming maximum points from a crucial and intriguing battle with relegation rivals Norwich City – as the travelling fans chanted ‘are you watching Newcastle’.

A fortnight after the Magpies suffered a damaging defeat in a similar encounter at Carrow Road, a penalty from Fabio Borini four minutes before the break paved the way for a 3-0 Black Cats victory.

Seven minutes after half-time Borini turned supplier by gifting Jermain Defoe his 16th goal of the season to ensure Sunderland would close the gap to fourth from bottom Norwich to a point.

And then, to give their goal difference a helping hand too, substitute Duncan Watmore marked his return to action following injury by grabbing a stoppage-time third to pile the misery on the Canaries.

The huge victory also extended the gap over Newcastle to five points before they face Swansea City at St James’ Park and put further pressure on Rafael Benitez’s side to get his first win as boss.

Allardyce clearly felt the players he had been sending out could do the job because he kept the same starting line-up as that which lost to Leicester last Sunday and he was proved right.

Norwich, whose fans were all given yellow clackers to create a better atmosphere, knew they had to start positively and they did, but Sunderland’s last line of defence did a job in keeping them out.

Despite a few gaps which were exposed by Norwich’s wingers, Sunderland managed to prevent the home side from scoring and the longer that was the case the more confidence the players developed.

There was plenty of nervous tension around and that saw more than 20 men – made of players and backroom staff of both sides – come together on the touchline after DeAndre Yedlin had been shoved to the floor by Robbie Brady.

Stray passes became the norm too in the first half and the only surprise was that it took until four minutes before half-time for the first goal to go in.

Goalkeeper Vito Mannone had to make good saves from Martin Olsson and Younes Kaboul, who almost turned a Brady cross into his own net. He also had to show his awareness to clear when Norwich often threatened in behind.

But Sunderland had their chances too. Defoe came within inches of getting on the end of a first half cross from Borini but they soon got the breakthrough the 3,000 travelling fans craved.

Norwich defender Andre Wisdom stupidly left his studs on the ankle of Borini when a chance looked to have gone. Referee Andre Marriner pointed to the spot and the Italian striker picked himself up and found the bottom left corner with a low drive.

To be ahead at the break was exactly what Allardyce wanted but Sunderland had plenty work to do after half-time too. Crucially, though, while Norwich pressed in search of a goal of their own, Sunderland added a second in the 53rd minute.

Jan Kirchhoff, who had given the ball away sloppily at times in the first half, did brilliantly to close down the woeful Sebastien Bassong. The German midfielder rolled a pass into the path of Borini, whose cross was perfect for Defoe to slide in and score.

After that Norwich pushed and pushed, with Lee Cattermole on hand to make a couple of goalline clearances from Dieumerci Mbokani, while Martin Olsson saw an effort shave the post.

But with Cattermole leading by example in the middle, and Defoe, Borini and Watmore providing an outlet to counter-attack, Sunderland did what they had to do to complete the job.

The longer the game went on, the more assured and determined Sunderland’s players became and Norwich started to struggle to find a way of testing Mannone except from distance.

Then the points were wrapped up when Watmore, played in by Seb Larsson, lifted a nice finish over John Ruddy. Sunderland are still in the bottom three, but at least swapping places with Norwich is now firmly in their sights again.

NORWICH CITY (4-4-1-1): Ruddy; Wisdom, Bassong, Bennett, Olsson; Jarvis (Hoolahan 59), Howson, O’Neil, Brady (Redmond 46); Naismith (Jerome 74); Mbokani. Subs: Rudd (gk), Dorrans, Mulumbu, Pinto

SUNDERLAND (4-1-4-1): Mannone; Yedlin, Kone, Kaboul, van Aanholt; Kirchhoff (O’Shea 85); Borini, M’Vila (Larsson 66), Cattermole, Khazri (Watmore 46); Defoe. Subs: Pickford (gk), Jones, Toivonen, N’Doye.

HOW TWITTER REACTED TO THE WIN:

SPF ‏@SixInARow2015  

And then reality sinks in and you realise that result was probably better for the mags than it was us. #safc

Paul Mitchell ‏@mrmitchell78  

Once again, the type of display and result we want to see at the start of the season happens when it is almost (ALMOST) too late #safc

Jonny McFadden ‏@jonnymcfadden  

Larsson for M'Vila against Arsenal for me. The big man looks like he needs a break, been poor last couple. #safc

Safc-Fans ‏@SafcFans  

Great to see Duncan return and get a goal after missing a few great chances. He's still learning and not perfect but I like the kid #SAFC

Chris ‏@TheIrishMackem  

Sams deserves credit for the subs today! 3rd goal, Larsson assisted Watmores goal! Larsson may have proved his point #safc

Alex Marshall ‏@Ali_Marshall10  

Massive win today, the great escape part 4 is on! How on earth did we get Jan Kirchhoff for £750,000?! Absolute class. #Mackembauer #SAFC