Norwich City lost 1-0 to Sunderland in the Sky Bet Championship Sunday lunchtime fixture at Carrow Road.
Abdoullah Ba's early goal would prove to be the difference between the teams.
Sunderland started well with a couple of efforts from Jack Clarke and Joe Gelhardt warming up Angus Gunn's palms, but without really causing a sweat for the 'keeper.
City took until the 10th minute to get their first real effort on goal, Max Aarons breaking in behind only for Anthony Patterson to deny him.
From there, Norwich showed more intent, Teemu Pukki and Marcelino Núñez also testing the Sunderland number one.
The opening goal came against the run of play, Ba finding the bottom corner from just outside the penalty area after quarter of an hour.
It was very nearly two just moments later with Gunn forced to use his body to save from Gelhardt.
The second half started in the same manner as the first had finished, Sunderland dropping back into their defensive shape to prevent any clear-cut chances.
Gunn was called upon once just before the hour mark, pushing a shot from Clarke away.
Pukki had another attempt on target, side footing Dimi Giannoulis' cross towards goal but straight to Patterson.
The Canaries continued to push up on Sunderland but failed to create the opening that would give them an equaliser.
Josh Sargent, introduced at the break, looked to be clean through on goal in injury time but play was pulled back by the referee for a foul on Gabriel Sara.
Attention will now quickly turn to the game against Huddersfield on Wednesday evening.
Norwich City: Gunn, Aarons (Sørensen 56), Hanley (C), Gibson, Giannoulis, McLean, Sara, Hernández (Marquinhos 56), Núñez (Tzolis 73), Idah (Sargent h-t), Pukki.
Unused subs: Krul, Omobamidele, Gibbs.
Bookings: Pukki (31), Hernández (50)
Sunderland: Patterson, Hume, Ballard, Batth, Neill, O'Nien, Michut (Ekwah 66), Ba (Gooch 66), Roberts, Gelhardt (Lihadji 78), Clarke.
Unused subs: Bass, Taylor, Bennette, Anderson.
Goals: Ba (15)
Bookings: Neil (62), Hume (64), Batth (71), Gooch (85), Ekwah (90+2)
HT: 0-1
FT: 0-1
Venue: Carrow Road
Referee: Tim Robinson
Attendance: 26,728