Southampton FC’s return to football was a huge success with a 3-0 drubbing of Norwich City.
Ralph Hasenhuttl’s first team selection in three months time was fairly predictable. Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg was given a start regardless of being stripped of his captaincy and speculation of his Saints departure. Yan Valery was favoured at right-back over Kyle Walker-Peters, with a chance to make up for his error at Newcastle. The only other question being, who was to start in place of an injured Shane Long? Michael Obafemi was chosen to partner Danny Ings, again cementing his place in front of Che Adams.
Both teams needed to knock off some early and expected rust. Norwich drew the better of opportunities, including four early corners, but Southampton did just enough to keep them out. The Saints grew into the game and forced a number of costly turnovers, but were unable to capitalize. Jack Stephens started the best of the bunch, stealing the ball at midfield, driving into the Norwich 18, before laying it off for Danny Ings. Unfortunately, Ings’ shot rattled off the crossbar, mere inches from getting the scoring started.
The first half ended nil-nil, but after the first ten minutes of play, Southampton controlled the pitch. Norwich City could not seem to find a way out of their own half, and Teemu Pukki had the least amount of touches out of any player in the match.
The second half opened with a spark, as Danny Ings scored from a throw-in, crafted like a set piece. Four Saints touched the ball before Stuart Armstrong slipped Ings in, who curled his shot away from Norwich Goalkeeper Tim Krull. It was a confident striker’s goal and a beautiful thing to see Ings pick up right where he left off.
Armstrong would get the favour returned, as Ings found him on a 3v2 break before the Scottish International slotting one in the bottom corner. Armstrong did not make it easy, cutting into two Norwich defenders, but he wriggled free and drilled a left-footed shot, nut-megging an opponent on the way to goal.
Nathan Redmond was an absolute force all day. Baiting defenders into his feet and bursting away with quickness few Premier Leaguer’s can reproduce. His goal put the game to bed and was just another example of his extreme quality in 1v1 situations.
In the end, it was too comfortable a win for Saints. Norwich offered very little outside of the first 10 minutes and continue to stare relegation in the face. Southampton are now just 3 points away from Hasenhuttl’s magic number of 40 and face Arsenal on Thursday at home. Here are the player ratings for all the Saints from the Friday evening match against Norwich.