Southampton
earned their first league victory of the season with a comfortable win over
newly promoted Norwich. Steven Whittaker was dismissed for two bookable offences
before Graziano Pellè struck on the brink of half-time. In the second period, Dušan
Tadić added two more goals to further extend Saints’ lead as they start to put
their Europa League blues behind them.
The drama began at St Mary’s an hour
early as the team sheets were announced. There was to be no return for Victor
Wanyama as Ronald Koeman asserted that the Kenyan was not “mentally and
physically good enough to play” amid rumours of a potential transfer to Tottenham.
In other team news, Saints made three changes from the defeat to FC Midtjylland
with Steven Caulker, Cuco Martina and Jay Rodriguez dropping out of the
starting line-up as Cédric Soares, Dušan Tadić and Sadio Mané came in. Norwich’s
starting XI was unchanged from the draw with Stoke but Ricky van Wolfswinkel
replaced the suspended Lewis Grabban on the bench.
As Southampton kicked the game off, they
were immediately on the offensive. James Ward-Prowse stepped up to bend a free
kick over the wall and towards the top corner however John Ruddy was just about
equal to the effort as he flung himself across his goal to palm the ball
behind. Saints had good early possession and were making use of either flank
with Tadić and Mané being ably supported by Matt Targett and Soares
respectively. Meanwhile, in the absence of Wanyama, Oriol Romeu was expertly
anchoring Saints’ midfield, allowing Ward-Prowse and Steven Davis to bolster
the attack. Norwich were not as adventurous with Cameron Jerome cutting a lone
figure throughout large spells of the match, however the targetman did have a
clear sight of goal during a rare foray forward from the Canaries in the 21st
minute. An overhit cross from the left found Graham Dorrans at the back post
who sent the ball back across with interest onto the head of Jerome who could
only glance it wide. Their task was made rather more challenging on the half hour
mark. Having been booked a few minutes previously for blocking Targett’s throw
in petty fashion, he hauled Tadić down running towards goal and with the
Serbian international waving an imaginary card, referee Jonathan Moss held a
yellow card aloft before delving into his back pocket. Tadić then went to high
five Ward-Prowse which brought criticism from some corners for a lack of
sportsmanship. In his post-match interview, Ronald Koeman stated that he would
remind Saints’ number 11 about the importance of fair play though this was the
sole blemish on Tadić’s accomplished performance. He seemed to be refreshed and
rejuvenated as he continuously jinked his way down the left wing. Unsurprisingly,
Whittaker’s dismissal spurred Southampton on to pressure the Canaries further
and they got their rewards just before the half-time whistle. As Norwich
strived to break out from their left back position, Ward-Prowse won the ball back
and turned in one smooth movement before setting Sadio Mané away on the right
side who found Graziano Pellè primed
to put the ball past Ruddy at the near post.
Despite Southampton finding the
breakthrough, Ronald Koeman elected to put further stress on Norwich’s defence
as Steven Davis made way for Jay Rodriguez at half-time. Accordingly, for the
opening 15 minutes of the second period, they turned the screw. Saints peppered
Ruddy’s goal as he blocked forceful shots from Mané and Rodriguez. Norwich
briefly threatened down the other end however the usually impressive Nathan
Redmond could not find a way past the resolute Targett and on the hour mark, Southampton
effectively sealed victory. Saints patiently worked the ball down the right
side where Mané found space to run into before rolling the ball across the box
for the on running Tadić who made no
mistake with his weaker right foot tan yards out. Southampton were running Norwich
ragged at this point and minutes later, Soares was free on the right wing to
dink the ball onto Pellè’s head who was superbly denied by Ruddy however he was
helpless to rebuff Tadić from a yard
out. From that point on, Southampton controlled the game but did little to add
to their tally. Substitute Juanmi emulated Tadić with some dazzling footwork on
the left but this was the main highlight in the closing minutes from a Southampton
perspective. The Canaries finally tested Maarten Stekelenburg late on in the proceedings
as Bradley Johnson stung the Dutch stopper’s palms but substitute Gary Hooper
could only fire the rebound wide.
Man
of the Match
Dušan
Tadić – This
was the Serbian’s best performance of the calendar year so far as he gave
Steven Whittaker and his deputy Andre Wisdom a torrid afternoon. Tadić was
creative on the wing and clinical in the box, as he calmly finished his
opportunities with ease. Perhaps, he is starting to replicate his form from the
first half of last season.
Teams
and Ratings
Southampton
Stekelenburg
6 – Soares 7 (Martina 72’ 6), Fonte (C) 6, Yoshida 7, Targett 7 – Ward-Prowse
7, Romeu 8 – Mané 7 (Juanmi 81’ N/A), S. Davis 6 (Rodriguez 45’ 6), Tadić 8 –
Pellè 7
Goals:
Pellè (45'+1), Tadić (64’,66’)
Norwich
Ruddy
6 – Whittaker 3, Martin 5, Bassong 5, Brady 6 – Redmond 5, Dorrans 6 (Johnson 70’
6), Tettey 5, Howson 5 – Hoolahan 5 (Wisdom 32’ 4) – Jerome 4 (Hooper 89’ N/A)
Bookings:
Whittaker
Red
Cards: Whittaker
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