Norwich's Jonathan Howson smites sluggish Stoke

Norwich City won 1-0 at Stoke City on Sunday to register their second victory of the Premier League season and only their second away win of 2013.

Stoke manager Mark Hughes has been praised for introducing a more possession-oriented approach since succeeding Tony Pulis in the close season, but his side produced a strangely subdued display.

Jonathan Howson claimed the game's only goal in the 34th minute at the Britannia Stadium with a low drive from 25 yards that dipped right in front of Stoke goalkeeper Asmir Begovic.

The two teams now have identical records after seven games of the season and sit three points above the relegation places.

"This is a tough place to come. We had really good spells where we dominated possession," said Norwich manager Chris Hughton.

"It's about picking up points and hopefully this will give us some confidence."

Hughes was aggrieved that Stoke were denied a penalty after Leroy Fer appeared to hold back Kenwyne Jones early in the second half.

"If the referee sees it, he will agree there is an infringement," said the Welshman.

"Kenwyne Jones was trying to get on the end of the ball; the letter of the law says it should be a penalty."

Liverpool can climb to second in the table later on Sunday if they prevail over bottom club Sunderland at the Stadium of Light.

The Merseyside club have gone three games without victory in all competitions, but manager Brendan Rodgers has Luis Suarez at his disposal again after the Uruguay striker completed a 10-game ban for biting Chelsea's Branislav Ivanovic.

It will be Sunderland's first league game since the dismissal of outspoken Italian manager Paolo Di Canio, with Kevin Ball currently in charge of first-team affairs on an interim basis.

Arsenal moved two points clear at the top of the table following a 2-1 win at Swansea City on Saturday, while Manchester City lost 3-2 at Aston Villa and Manchester United were stunned 2-1 by West Bromwich Albion at Old Trafford.