Two late goals condemned Norwich City Under-21s to defeat in the Under-21 Premier League Cup, losing 3-2 away to Sunderland on Friday evening.
Zach Baumann made his first competitive start for the club after joining from Manchester United, with Charlie Wilson and Finley Welch also starting for the first time after their respective injuries.
After Felix Scott came narrowly close to opening the scoring for the hosts, Sunderland would take the lead moments later. The ball fell to Joe Neild in the area, who stabbed home from close range.
The Canaries would find their leveller just after the 20 minute mark. Harmony Okwumo found Baumann with a ball down the channel. The Ukraine youth international slid the ball across goal to Dylan Jones who tapped in to equalise.
Tony Springett saw an effort blocked at one end, before Rylee Mitchell pushed away a volley from Ben Middlesmas at the other.
At the start of the second half, there would be early opportunities for both sides. Baumann fired wide, with Jaydon Jones being denied by a fantastic point-blank save by Mitchell in the Norwich goal.
Baumann would put the Canaries ahead. The midfielder was found by AJ Bridge and surged forward, shrugging off his marker before finishing beyond the Sunderland 'keeper.
Norwich would end the game with 10 men as Jones picked up an injury, with no other outfield players available on the bench.
Sunderland's advantage would eventually make the difference, as Tom Proctor levelled late on.
And in the sixth minute of stoppage time, Sunderland won it as it was bundled over the line by Marcus Neill.
The Under-21s return to Premier League 2 action on Friday, October 24, as they welcome Burnley to the Avant Training Centre. The Canaries' next fixture in the U21 PL Cup comes away to Bromley in November.
Sunderland: Metcalf; Holcroft (Proctor 87), Lightfoot, Hunt (Neill 74), Neild, Kindon, Scott, Jones, Moore (Dinsdale 90+5), Middlemas, Whittaker.
Unused subs: Allan, Forsyth.
Goals: Neild (8), Proctor (89), Neill (90+6)
Bookings: Kindon (30), Moore (45+3)
Norwich City: Mitchell; Okwumo, Wilson (Adelusi 63), Gee, Ozcan; Bridge, Baumann (Towler 75), Welch (Forbes 63), Springett (Mundle-Smith 63), Aboh, Jones.
Unused sub: Ansen.
Goals: Jones (21), Baumann (72)
Image: Sunderland AFC/Ian Horrocks.