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FT REPORT: SOUTHAMPTON 3-0 NORWICH CITY

FT REPORT: SOUTHAMPTON 3-0 NORWICH

Brandon Smith reports

Norwich City travelled to Southampton on Sunday afternoon looking for their first win at Saint Mary's since 2008 but a Tadic brace and a strike from Graziano Pelle denied them 3 points in their return to the premier league.

Southampton were without former Chelsea defender Ryan Bertrand and Jordan Clasie through injuries but Saido Mane returned from his knock. The canaries troubles with Lewis Grabban continued as he was suspended for the match and they also missed Lafferty and Mulumbu through injury.

It was action from the start as Norwich gave away a free kick within the first 60 seconds which forced Ruddy into making a good save from a curling 30 yard effort from James Ward Prowse. A flurry of corners for Southampton saw a series of Graziano Pelle headers just failing to hit the target. It was frustrating for The home fans as their side came close Mane was able to get away from Norwich's Tettey forcing a battle between two attackers and defenders. However Mane seemed to ignore the advancing Pelle and saw the attack broken down.

It was then Norwich who had a great chance to put themselves in front as Graham Dorrans did well to keep the ball in play and pick out Cameron Jerome who stretched but failed to make any solid contact and saw the chance simply go begging.

Cedric Soares then lead a promising Southampton counter attack but failed as Pelle couldn't reach his cross. Dusan Tadic then tried to give the Italian a second take which he made contact but saw the effort go wide of the post as Bassong lightly pulled his shirt. The appeals for a penalty were waved away by the referee who thought it was nothing that could have changed the outcome.

Norwich were then dealt a hefty blow after Stephen Whittaker who had already been booked earlier picked up his second and ultimately a red after obstructing Tadic who was about to connect with a promising over the top ball. Things were looking rough for the away side now.

The barrage of Southampton attacks finally paid off in the first minute of stoppage time as Pelle picked up a beautiful through ball from Saido Mane and managed to slip it past Ruddy's near post to deal some big damage to Norwich. There was a hint of offside but the goal stood nonetheless and proved to be the last kick of the half.

Southampton swapped Steven Davis for Jay Rodriguez at the break as the hosts looked to further their scoreline. And they definitely continued their attacking form straight from the break as Rodriguez almost got away from a Pelle pass only for Robby Brady to make a smart decision to track back and cut it out.

Norwich Then almost went 2 behind after a misjudged pass from ruddy saw Mane break but his curling effort from 12 yards but Ruddy redeemed himself with a good save. And seconds later he was forced to make a carbon copy save from Jay Rodriguez as the hosts battered the visitors.

Tadic had been looking threatening throughout the first half and on 64 minutes he latched on to a back pass from Mane and striked from the edge of the box to make the score 2-0.

And Easy as one two Tadic scored again... only minutes later. Sporting CP signing Cedric found Pelle who pressured Ruddy into a world class save but failed to clear it as Tadic was there for the follow up. Norwich were looking sorry and from that point on any Canary could tell you the game was up.

Southampton then aged conservative football and were seemingly waiting for Norwich to gift them another goal as they knocked the ball around feeling for a break in the defence.

New signing Jaunmi then came on for Saido Mane who may have played his last game in Southampton colours as much interest from other clubs continues to surround him. Nonetheless he receives massive applause from the fans.

Tettey Summed up Norwich's frustrations with a fizzling 30 yard effort but saw it simply fly into a bunch of his own fans who were understandably less  than impressed with the sides performance. 

The full time whistle came and Ronald Koemans Southampton managed to record their first premier league home win of the season while Norwich might  need the international break to recuperate after this defeat. 

LINEUPS

SOUTHAMPTON 
Ronald Koeman

GOALKEEPERS - M. Stakelenburg 

DEFENDERS - Cedric, J. Fonte, M. Yoshida, 
M. Target

MIDFIELDERS - S. Mane, O. Romeu, S. Davis, 
J. Ward - Prowse, D. Tadic

FORWARDS - G. Pelle

NORWICH CITY 
Alex Niell

GOALKEEPERS - J. Ruddy

DEFENDERS - R. Brady, S. Bassong, R. Martin,
S. Whittaker (red card) 

MIDFIELDERS - J. Howson, A. Tettey, G. Dorrans, 
N. Redmond

FORWARDS - W. Hoolahan, C. Jerome

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