Kenny McLean became the latest staff member to bite back ? very mildly ? against frustrated supporters as City eventually got the better of Sunderland on Saturday.

On a sodden pitch, another sodding draw was looking probable. But then McLean and the much-maligned Ben Gibson combined to create an 81st-minute chance for Josh Sargeant.

It was converted with the American?s customary combination of determination and ungainly limb movements. It extended NCFC?s run of home league victories to five, in which Sarge has scored six goals and taken his season?s total to 11.

McLean began the move in the centre circle with a stroked pass to Gibson, who had advanced into enemy territory on the left flank. The centre-back chipped an angled pass forward towards Sarge at the far post, where the American, opposed by two defenders, got the merest touch with one of the curls on the very top of his head. The two defenders watched, like the rest of us, as Sarge spun, got one not-great touch with his right foot, a better contact with the same boot and then, finally, used it to spank the ball home.
As well as those two bemused defenders, spectators at Carrow Road on Saturday included Labour Party leader Sir Keir Starmer and Sargent?s compatriot, City director Mark Attanasio.

Mark?s son, Mike took to ?X formerly Twitter? (as we are obliged to call the toilet wall of public scribbling these days) to publish a video clip of the impressive rainbow which appeared behind the Barclay stand....