Southampton 2-0 Norwich City: Saints edge closer to European places with win over bottom club

Southampton edged closer to the European places with a comfortable Premier League win over relegation-threatened Norwich at St Mary's.

Che Adams scored the opening goal of the game for the hosts, flicking the ball past Canaries goalkeeper Angus Gunn after Tino Livramento's cross had ricocheted around the six-yard box.

Oriol Romeu's sublime late volley wrapped up the points for Ralph Hasenhuttl's side.

The result sees Southampton move up to ninth in the table, while Norwich remain bottom five points from safety, having played at least one game more than any of the five sides directly above them.

But for some errant finishing - and the performance of Gunn against his former employers - Saints' margin of victory would have been greater.

While they let a one-goal lead slip to lose the reverse fixture between the sides, the hosts rarely looked like relinquishing control on this occasion with the scoreline not a true reflection of their total dominance.

Mohamed Elyounoussi and Kyle Walker-Peters both had powerful efforts saved by Gunn, while Adams headed wide when well placed from a James Ward-Prowse corner.

Abject Norwich slip closer to relegation

Norwich had appeared to turn a corner with positive results against Everton, Watford and Crystal Palace.

However, they have now slipped to three consecutive defeats, shipped nine goals in the process and worryingly only three teams have avoided relegation from the Premier League after losing as many matches (17) as Norwich at this stage of the season.

And unlike their heavier losses to Manchester City and Liverpool, where they acquitted themselves well at times, this was an abject display.

With 30 minutes on the clock Dean Smith's side had barely stepped foot out of their own half as they allowed Southampton to play around them, cross and shoot seemingly at will.

Remarkably Josh Sargent had arguably the best chance in that period, seeing his shot blocked following good play by Teemu Pukki, but they had to wait until the 73rd minute before Grant Hanley finally registered an effort on target.

By then Southampton's pressure had told with Adams' 36th-minute opener - and the Canaries could have few complaints when Romeu lashed in from 18 yards with two minutes remaining.

Romeu stars for superb Saints

Prior to kick-off, Saints' Austrian boss Hasenhuttl expressed the view that positive results against clubs near the top of the table had instilled confidence in his team.

Southampton came into this contest with just one defeat from their last 12 matches in all competitions and not having lost at home since September.

That was clearly evident once play got under way, as they stroked the ball around confidently with Romeu and Ward-Prowse setting the tone in midfield.

The Spaniard made more accurate passes than any other player on the pitch (65) - followed closely by England international Ward-Prowse (60) - and almost double the number made by any Norwich midfielder.

And Romeu's first goal in 41 league appearances - dating back to October 2020 against West Brom - was apt reward for a fine evening's work.

More to follow.

Player of the match

Oriol RomeuOriol Romeu

Norwich City

Squad number28Player nameGunn

Squad number23Player nameMcLean

Squad number22Player namePukki

Squad number5Player nameHanley

Squad number8Player nameGilmour

Squad number24Player nameSargent

Squad number21Player nameWilliams

Squad number2Player nameAarons

Squad number4Player nameGibson

Squad number16Player nameNormann

Squad number17Player nameRashica

Squad number20Player nameLees-Melou

Squad number10Player nameDowell

Squad number7Player nameRupp

Line-ups

Southampton

Formation 4-4-2

44Forster

21Livramento35Bednarek22Salisu2Walker-Peters

17S Armstrong8Ward-Prowse6Romeu24Elyounoussi

10Adams18Broja

Substitutes

Norwich

Formation 4-1-4-1

28Gunn

2Aarons5Hanley4Gibson21Williams

16Normann

24Sargent8Gilmour23McLean17Rashica

22Pukki

Substitutes

Live Text

Match ends, Southampton 2, Norwich City 0.

Second Half ends, Southampton 2, Norwich City 0.

Substitution, Southampton. Moussa Djenepo replaces Stuart Armstrong.

Brandon Williams (Norwich City) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.

Stuart Armstrong (Southampton) wins a free kick on the right wing.

Foul by Brandon Williams (Norwich City).

Goal! Southampton 2, Norwich City 0. Oriol Romeu (Southampton) right footed shot from the right side of the box to the high centre of the goal following a corner.

Attempt saved. Mohamed Elyounoussi (Southampton) left footed shot from the left side of the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Stuart Armstrong.

Corner, Southampton. Conceded by Angus Gunn.

Foul by Stuart Armstrong (Southampton).

Brandon Williams (Norwich City) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

Attempt missed. James Ward-Prowse (Southampton) right footed shot from outside the box is just a bit too high from a direct free kick.

Substitution, Southampton. Shane Long replaces Che Adams.

Che Adams (Southampton) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

Foul by Kenny McLean (Norwich City).

Attempt missed. Kyle Walker-Peters (Southampton) right footed shot from the left side of the box is high and wide to the right.

Substitution, Norwich City. Kieran Dowell replaces Billy Gilmour.

Substitution, Southampton. Jack Stephens replaces Armando Broja.

Attempt blocked. Mohammed Salisu (Southampton) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked.

Corner, Southampton. Conceded by Grant Hanley.

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