Norwich On Top In End-To-End Encounter – Norwich vs. Saints
Nathan Redmond’s 68th minute strike consigned the Saints to their first defeat of the season at Carrow Road. In what would have been a League One fixture a mere four […]
Nathan Redmond’s 68th minute strike consigned the Saints to their first defeat of the season at Carrow Road.
In what would have been a League One fixture a mere four seasons ago, each side was keen to illustrate who had progressed furthest in the time gone by. 19 year-old Nathan Redmond would, in the 2009-10 season, have been studying for his GCSEs, and on the final weekend of the summer holidays, his right-footed strike was the difference between the two sides.
After collecting a cross-field pass from Leroy Fer, Redmond cut inside from the left, beat his man and rifled in a low shot beating Artur Boruc at his near-post.
Earlier, Southampton will have felt aggrieved at not being given a penalty in the 20th minute when, after a wonderful turn from Lallana, his left-footed shot hit the raised arms of Roger Johnson. Referee Howard Webb gave nothing, yet replays suggest that a penalty should have been given.
20 minutes later and Lallana was once again at the forefront of a well-worked shot at goal from the visitors, his venomous left-foot volley thumping the post as Norwich ‘keeper Ruddy stayed rooted to the spot. Despite Southampton edging the first half, it was Norwich who arguably deserved the win, keeping the Saints relatively quiet after the goal and nearly sealing the points on 86 minutes. Again, Nathan Redmond surged past Jose Fonte on the left-hand corner of the box and forced a good save from Boruc with the resulting shot.
As if to vindicate the home side’s win further, Robert Snodgrass was shoved down inside box by Fonte deep into injury time, only for Webb to once again wave away any rightful protests.
Writer’s Comment: Thankfully, it seems that not every team in the Premier League has forgotten how to attack. This was a good, fairly open game in which both sides were going for the win, and had Webb correctly awarded two penalties we could have had a real thriller on our hands. Unfortunately for Southampton, it was their determination to push forward which ultimately cost them at least a point. The lively Nathan Redmond took advantage of the plentiful spaces left by the Saints on the flanks and, to his credit, punished the visitors with impressive conviction for a 19 year-old.
Man Of The Match: Nathan Redmond – The England U21 winger was a constant thorn in the side of the Southampton defence, capping off his impressive display with a well-taken goal. Considering Southampton’s lack of options out wide, one must wonder why the Saints didn’t do more to try and sign this agile young Englishman.