Sam Alladyce defends his troops as Norwich and Sunderland are charged by FA following fiery touchline fracas at Carrow

Players and staff from both clubs were involved in a feisty altercation as tensions reached boiling point during their premier league encounter on Saturday. Both clubs have now been charged by the FA.
Norwich and Sunderland are 17th and 18th respectively with only one point separating the two, although Norwich have played a game.

Going into the game it was bound to be a very competitive encounter as Sam Allaydyce attempts to save the Black Cats from the drop. Their goal was boosted by a 3-0 victory at Carrow Road as Fabio Borini, Jermain Defoe and Duncan Watmore found the net.

But one of the major highlights of the game came early on as Robbie Brady sent DeAndre Yedlin crashing into the advertising hoardings with a heavy challenge.

Sunderland's bench reacted angrily as players and staff from both sides clashed, including boss Sam Allardyce.

The FA have since published a statement that reads: "Norwich City and Sunderland have been charged following their game on Saturday [16 April 2016]. It is alleged that in or around the fourth minute of the fixture, both clubs failed to ensure their players and/or officials conducted themselves in an orderly fashion.

Norwich and Sunderland have until 6pm on 21 April 2016 to respond to the charge."

After his side's victory, Allardyce defended their actions saying: “I got a bit carried away, but the Norwich players were encroaching my box - I was always going to protect my players and my mob."

Sunderland face Arsenal on Sunday as they bid to climb out of the danger zone.