Football
2019-20 English Premier League
SOU 
2
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 NOR
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Reuters 4y

Southampton see off Norwich in relegation battle

Southampton boosted their hopes of staying in the Premier League after a fine first-half performance garnished by goals from Danny Ings and Ryan Bertrand helped them to a nervy 2-1 home win over struggling Norwich on Wednesday.

The Saints dominated the opening exchanges of the relegation dogfight and Ings fired them ahead in the 22nd minute when he headed home a James Ward-Prowse free kick.

Moussa Djenepo drove a shot over the bar for the home side before left-back Bertrand made it 2-0 in the 43rd minute, capitalising on another fine set piece by Ward-Prowse as he slotted in the midfielder's corner at the far post.

Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhuettl was pleased with the outcome although he acknowledged the battle to stay up would be a long one.

"We have lifted ourselves from the relegation zone and you see how quickly things change but there is still a long way to go," he told the BBC.

"We have found a shape and a core and that helps us us to play in an aggressive way and that's what the supporters like to see here."

Southampton almost netted the third on the stroke of half-time when Norwich keeper Tim Krul only just managed to tip Pierre Hojberg's deflected shot over the bar.

The tide turned after the break as Teemu Pukki's fierce shot was parried by Alex McCarthy and the Finland striker pulled one back for Norwich in the 65th minute when he beat the Saints keeper with a clinical finish from inside the penalty area.

Norwich launched a fierce onslaught in the closing stages and substitute Emiliano Buendia missed a gilt-edged chance to salvage a point for the visitors when he headed wide of the far post in stoppage time.

Daniel Farke rued his Norwich team's poor start to the game but believed they deserved more from an improved second-half display.

"I'm a bit annoyed in the first half we weren't brave enough," said Farke.

"It was a really good reaction in the second half but it is important to play this way for 90 minutes. We showed a great reaction and in the end we deserved at least a draw."

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