The EFL has announced that Leigh Doughty will officiate Sunderland’s Championship match against Norwich City at the Stadium of Light this Saturday.
The fixture is set for a 3:00 PM kick-off as the Black Cats aim to extend their strong form.
Paul Hodskinson and Graham Kane will serve as assistant referees, with Elliot Bell taking on the role of fourth official. Sunderland, led by Regis Le Bris, will look to build on their momentum in their final game before Christmas.
The Black Cats are coming off an impressive 3-2 comeback victory against Swansea City, where Dan Ballard, Dan Neil, and Jobe Bellingham found the net after trailing 2-0. Currently unbeaten in three matches and with only one loss in their last 14 games, Sunderland sits 4th in the Championship, firmly in the playoff spots alongside Burnley, Blackburn Rovers, and Middlesbrough, as they push for Premier League promotion.
Speaking ahead of the Norwich game, Le Bris said, “There are a lot of games in a short period. The group has great energy, and maintaining that unity will be crucial over the coming weeks. Consistency and momentum are key after last Saturday’s significant win.
“I saw real resilience against Swansea, especially in the second half. That confidence must carry into the Norwich match.”
He added: “Norwich are a strong team with high-intensity play. It will be a challenging game, but we’re ready. We’ve prepared well and are eager to play in front of our supporters again. This journey is a collective effort. The energy is palpable across the training ground, the stadium, and among the fans.”
Norwich, who reached the playoffs last season before losing to Leeds United in the semi-finals, replaced David Wagner with Johannes Hoff Thorup during the summer. The Canaries are currently 12th in the table, following a 2-1 home defeat to Burnley last weekend.
Hoff Thorup acknowledged the challenges Norwich face: “In this league, competing with clubs that have larger budgets requires clarity in our strategy and decisions. Sunderland exemplifies this approach, playing exceptionally well.
“In my opinion, they are the best transition team in the league. Their forward movements and ability to create chances on the counter-attack are outstanding, and we need to be fully prepared for that.”
