Morgan Schneiderlin struck after just five minutes to earn Southampton a 1-0 half-time advantage over Norwich City at St Mary's Stadium this afternoon.
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The hosts have lost their last two matches at St Mary's Stadium but started very brightly, with two midfielders recalled to the side combining to nearly fashion them a goal in the third minute.
James Ward-Prowse delivered a corner which Gaston Ramirez climbed to head narrowly over the crossbar, but Norwich did not react to the warning sign as Southampton established an early lead.
It was a fine team move, with the Saints pinging the ball around before Jay Rodriguez laid off for Schneiderlin to take one touch and tuck the ball past Norwich's stand-in skipper John Ruddy.
Ramirez and Steven Davis each attempted to increase Southampton's lead with long-range efforts which drifted off target, while a toothless Norwich threatened just once during the opening 45 minutes.
Robert Snodgrass crossed for Gary Hooper, who is without a goal since Boxing Day, but the former Celtic striker showed why he is on an 11-game goal drought by wildly dragging the shot wide.
Joe Fish
