Norwich City continued their strong home form with a hard-fought 1-0 win against Sunderland in the Sky Bet Championship.
February Player of the Month Josh Sargent was again on the scoresheet, picking up the game's only goal in the 81st minute after a tight battle in miserable weather.
Injuries had forced David Wagner's hand in terms of selection with Onel Hernández ruled out with a broken foot and Marcelino Núñez dealing with a muscle problem.
Christian Fassnacht and Ashley Barnes were restored to the starting lineup while Ken Aboh and Finley Welch joined the bench.
After a relatively quiet opening 15 minutes, the first big opportunity fell to Sargent but the knee of a Sunderland defender diverted his shot behind for a corner.
That corner would end up at dropping to Dimi Giannoulis on the edge of the box with his volley fizzing through the rain and wide.
The Canaries were firmly in control, and Anthony Patterson made a good save from Borja Sainz after 25 minutes but a free-kick was awarded to the visitors as Kenny McLean and Luke O'Nien found themselves tangled up in the goal at the same time.
The best attacking move of the half came when Gabriel Sara beatifully set Sainz into the left channel before Barnes, Fassnacht and Sargent also got involved with the latter then flagged for offside.
Early in the second half, a sliced Jack Stacey cross would bounce back off the crossbar before O'Nien was able to block Barnes' follow-up.
Patterson also palmed away a Sara shot after more good work by Fassnacht and Stacey.
A wayward pass presented the Brazilian with another opportunity in the 68th minute but his first-time effort was high and wide.
Chances continued to come for Norwich, Ben Gibson stepped out of defence, leading to a shot from Sainz that Patterson was able to get down to it.
Despite having little to do, Angus Gunn was still able to make an important save to deny Abdoullah Ba when the substitute skipped in along the byline and fired goalward.
The breakthrough finally came as we entered the final 10 minutes and Sargent was able to control a teasing cross before rifling the ball past Patterson.
Sunderland had their chances to equalise, particularly Nazariy Rusyn, but Gunn was in the right place at the right time for each of them.
It's a trip up north to face Middlesbrough for the Canaries on Wednesday night.
Norwich City: Gunn; Stacey, Hanley (C), Gibson, Giannoulis; Sara, McLean, Fassnacht (Gibbs 74), Sainz (Sørensen 88); Barnes (van Hooijdonk 61), Sargent (McCallum 88).
Unused subs: Long, Batth, Fisher, Welch, Aboh.
Goals: Sargent (81)
Bookings: Giannoulis (76), Sørensen (90)
Sunderland: Patterson; Hume, Seelt, O'Nien (C), Hjelde; Ekwah, Neil; Styles (Rigg 74), Bellingham (Burstow 86), Mundle (Ba 66); Semedo (Rusyn 66).
Unused subs: Bishop, Pembele, Aouchiche, Kelly, Lavery.
Bookings: Hume (44), Ekwah (59), Seelt (90+5)
HT: 0-0
FT: 1-0
Referee: Thomas Kirk
Venue: Carrow Road
Attendance: 26,668 (Away 1,673)