An outstanding strike from Daryl Murphy kept Sunderland's play-off charge on course as they extended their unbeaten run to five games with a 1-0 win at home to Norwich City.
Norwich were the last team to beat Sunderland four weeks ago, but while the visitors had the bulk of early possession it was the Black Cats who looked more dangerous in attack.
Murphy cut in from the right wing to hit an early sighter which was easily gathered by Lee Camp, who continued to deputise in goal for the injured Paul Gallacher.
Murphy then went much closer in the 16th minute but found only the side netting when he met Ross Wallace's cross at the far post.
Sunderland captain Steve Caldwell should have put his side ahead in the 23rd minute, but sent a free header straight at Camp from Graham Kavanagh's free-kick.
At the other end Norwich could not create a clear chance. Their best sight of goal came in the 35th minute when Darren Huckerby's chip found Robert Earnshaw, but the Championship's top scorer sent his shot well over the bar on the turn.
In his programme notes, Sunderland chairman Niall Quinn urged the fans to create a more intimidating atmosphere for visiting teams, but it was more likely to be the hosts who felt the pressure as cheers turned to jeers before the break.
Those jeers were perhaps still ringing in Sunderland ears as they emerged for the second half full of running, managing to force a series of corners from the stretched Norwich defence.
But the deliveries had not improved and Camp remained untroubled.
The home side had to wait more than 10 minutes for a decent chance but Murphy sent a rasping shot in the side-netting from a tight angle when he had better options in the middle.
Stephen Elliott then capitalised on a mistake by Youssef Safri in midfield to burst forward but failed to find the target from the edge of the area.
Norwich offered little attacking invention, Huckerby claiming a penalty when he went down under Elliott's challenge on the hour mark but referee Phil Joslin waved his appeals away.
The game was then halted when former Sunderland man Carl Robinson suffered what appeared to be a nasty facial injury after a seemingly innocuous challenge with Caldwell.
While he was off the field receiving treatment, Dickson Etuhu was required to hack clear under pressure from Murphy.
Earnshaw almost created a goal out of nothing in the 75th minute, hitting a curling shot which Darren Ward could only gather at the second attempt.
But seconds later it was Sunderland who were ahead, finally making the breakthrough when Murphy hit a stunning half-volley on the turn to find the bottom corner from 20 yards.
Sunderland deserved to be ahead after dominating possession, but the strike was a rare moment of quality in the game.
Norwich came close to replying in the 83rd minute when Huckerby was dubiously ruled onside and his cross was turned narrowly around his own post by a recovering Liam Miller.
Substitute Dwight Yorke had a late chance to cap victory for Sunderland but hesitated inside the area, allowing Norwich to clear.
The Black Cats now move up to 12th place in the table and are now just five points off a play-off place.
