Norwich holds off Sunderland to win 2-1 in EPL

NORWICH, England (AP) -Norwich withstood a second-half fightback by struggling Sunderland to claim a 2-1 win in the Premier League on Sunday, extending its unbeaten run to eight matches.

Cameroon center back Sebastien Bassong finished from close range to put Norwich ahead in the eighth minute, with midfielder Anthony Pilkington making it 2-0 in the 37th with a confident strike.

Sunderland hit back through Craig Gardner's low strike from outside the area in the 44th and applied heavy pressure after the break, with Gardner striking the post, Matt Kilgallon missing an open goal and Stephane Sessegnon denied in a one-on-one situation.

Sunderland remained fourth from bottom, with two wins from 14 games. Norwich climbed a place to 12th, level on points with Liverpool and seven clear of the relegation zone.