Southampton creeped out of the relegation zone and heaped further pressure on relegation rivals Norwich with a 2-1 win at St Mary’s.
Southampton started the faster of the two teams with the pace of Shane Long and the clever runs and occasional trickery of Danny Ings causing the Norwich defence multiple problems.
After 21 minutes, Nathan Redmond’s fast feet drew a free kick on the edge of the area and displayed Norwich’s vulnerabilities from set pieces. A whipped cross at the front post saw Danny Ings find himself space in between two Norwich defenders to flick it beyond Tim Krul and give Southampton the lead.
Norwich continued in a sloppy manner, repeatedly dallying on the ball for too long and being dispossessed far too many times, allowing Southampton the chance at swift counter attacks. Set pieces caused Norwich headaches and they eventually succumbed to a second just before half time. A corner from Ward-Prowse saw Shane Long win the flick on header, and an unmarked Ryan Bertrand was able to sweep it home from close range to double his team’s lead.
Norwich struggled to get star striker Teemu Pukki in the game as they struggled to retain possession. The Finnish striker was forced to drop deep to receive the ball but he did manage to find the net for the Canaries in the 65th minute to reduce the deficit. A perfectly weighted through ball from Alexander Tettey and a well-timed run from Pukki split open the defence and allowed him the striker to lash the ball in the corner past the helpless Alex McCarthy.
This suddenly breathed new life into Norwich as they began to control possession and completely overrun Southampton in midfield. Southampton started to drop back and even made defensive substitutions to see out the result. Norwich continued to see more of the ball and towards the end wasted multiple chances at goal.
Stoppage time saw Norwich continue to press for an equaliser, but it wasn’t to be. Substitute Emi Buendia found himself with a free header but put it wide and Sam Byram had two chances well blocked in the last minute as Southampton held on for a nervy three points.
Southampton
Key Talking Point
Although Southampton fans will have been nervous after Norwich found the net, they will have been pleased with the attacking threat the side posed.
Shane Long may not be the greatest finisher in the world but he can certainly causes defenders problems. His pace and willingness to look for the quick release as well as his surprising strength in the air was a great strength for Southampton. Add on to that Danny Ings' quick feet, clever runs and shoot on sight mentality and Southampton really could have had three or four in the second half.
They know they can score goals but they need to find a way to improve defensively if they want to stay up this season.
Player Ratings
Starting XI: McCarthy (6), Cedric (6), Bednarek (6), Stephens (6), Bertrand (7), Redmond (7), Hojbjerg (6), Djenepo (6), Ward Prowse (7), Long (7), Ings (8)
Substitutes: Adams (5), Romeu (5), Yoshida (5)
Star Man
Ings proved a real thorn in the Norwich defence with his link up play with Shane Long causing all sorts of problems. His clever late run to the near post for James Ward Prowse’s first half free kick saw him grab a goal and his overall play was impressive.
A well taken volley in the second half was inches away from putting the game to bed for Southampton but he and Southampton will have been encouraged by his performance.
Norwich City
Key Talking Point
Norwich fans will likely be concerned by their teams obviously vulnerability when defending set pieces. Twice they came unstuck against Southampton with their zonal marking allowing Southampton players to find space after late runs towards the ball.
Ings found himself in space between two defenders for his goal and the second saw Shane Long pull always to win the flick on header and Ryan Bertrand in acres of space to find the finish. If Norwich are to start finding results, they’re going to need to shore up defensively from set pieces or other teams will start looking to expose them.
Player Ratings
Starting XI: Krul (7), Aarons (5), Zimmerman (5), Byram (6), Godfrey (5), Hernandez (6), Amadou (4), Trybull (6), Cantwell (6), McLean (6), Pukki (7)
Substitutes: Tettey (7), Buendia (5), Stiepermann (6)
Star Man
Time and time again Norwich have relied on Teemu Pukki, and more often than not he has delivered. He managed so again today. Although he ended up on the losing side and was not overly involved, he is always a threat on the pitch.
He was prepared to drop deep to receive the ball when Norwich was being pinned back and he was on hand to remain composed and slam the ball past Alex McCarthy to give the Canaries a lifeline. Even if his goal wasn’t enough to snatch anything, he has definitely proven he’s more than good enough to play at this level.
Looking Ahead
Norwich City sat firmly in the relegation zone have a home fixture against surprise outfit Sheffield United on Sunday afternoon.
Southampton make the long trip north to face fellow relegation candidates Newcastle United, also on Sunday afternoon.
Source: 90min
