Southampton Stumble at Carrow Road: Match Review, Player Ratings & Eckert’s Thoughts | OneFootball

It’s another disappointing loss for the Saints on the road, given the current situation of their opposition. Norwich, languishing in 23rd, while Southampton were 8th and just one point off the playoffs.

Now, Tonda Eckert’s men sit 10th, and the gap has stretched to four points from the playoff positions. But how did the game unfold? Who was Southampton’s best player, and how did Eckert review the match?

Match Recap

A bright start for Southampton saw them break the Canaries’ press early and win a free kick just outside the box. Leo Scienza stepped up and curled it onto the underside of the crossbar, bouncing too high for Flynn Downes to get a meaningful rebound.

Philippe Clement’s side continued to press, though.

Norwich Press

The Saints struggled against it, often recycling possession or playing it directly, hoping it would find a free man. This wasn’t a sustainable way to play as Norwich grew into the game. Taylor Harwood-Bellis and Ryan Manning were given no time on the ball, limiting their creative output.

Both have been key in progressing play, kickstarting attacks and finding players in advanced areas — Norwich knew this. Harwood-Bellis and Manning were pinned back, while Armstrong and Azaz were closely marked, leaving Southampton with few progressive options.

When Southampton were able to find a player in the half-space, this was where they flourished. With Leo Scienza and Manning working so well on the left, the Irishman provided the width, and Scienza would drift centrally to cut in — either to shoot or switch the ball over to the right-hand side.

This was due to the high-pressing setup from Norwich. They committed so many bodies in the press that, when the Saints did break it, each chance would lead to a goalscoring opportunity.

Chaos & Nothing But

The Canaries were intelligent. Constant smart fouls slowed down the play and forced Southampton to play to their speed in their atmosphere. But, as Harwood-Bellis threaded a loose ball, Azaz found himself free and played Scienza in on goal. The Brazilian took it in his stride before defender Harry Darling wiped him out, causing the referee to blow the whistle. Penalty.

An eery stat was laid upon Armstrong before he stepped up. Three of the previous four penalties had been missed by the South Coast outfit, and as he shot to his usual right, keeper Vladan Kovacevic comfortably parried it wide.

Carrow Road erupted and roared — the momentum began to shift.

While Norwich created just one opportunity for the rest of the half, Jovon Makama was fired up and wanted more. He was second best to Nathan Wood, but the striker didn’t lack hunger.

Leo Scienza’s long-range attempt silenced the stadium, as it looked destined to hit the net, before peeling just wide of the left post.

Saints’ Second Half Woes Continue

Norwich set the tone for the half. They were intense and had true intention with the ball, leading to their opening goal. As they won a corner, it was quickly dismissed, but the Saints struggled to clear their lines completely, barely scraping it out of their box.

Just three minutes after the interval, Jacob Wright delivered a low cross, and 21-year-old Makama was able to lose Nathan Wood to tap it home — a finish that didn’t have power but perfectly redirected the cross into Gavin Bazunu’s near post.

A response was needed by Southampton, but it never really came. A wonderful strike from Ryan Manning caught the Norwich goalkeeper off guard to level the game, yet it didn’t feel like Eckert’s men continued to push on.

This was seen four minutes later, with the Canaries regaining their lead through Jovon Makama. A right-foot shot, statistically, despite his left hand’s deflection causing it to go over Bazunu.

Eckert’s Thoughts on it

The 32-year-old head coach felt aggrieved but understood these decisions go both ways. On VAR, the German said:

Poor End to the Game

Southampton were outshone. Despite needing to push on for the equaliser, their chance creation took a dramatic hit. Key players weren’t finding space, and the Canaries played transition football to a tee.

Midfielder Pelle Mattsson got the better of both Caspar Jander and Flynn Downes, with his press-resistant play boasting a huge threat on the transition, during the Saints’ counter-pressing after losing possession.

Saints created just 0.37 xG, with Armstrong’s singular chance proving as their only chance inside the box. It was hushed quickly by Kovacevic as Norwich saw out their second home win of the season, both under Philippe Clement.

Southampton Player Ratings

Gavin Bazunu (6): He was crucial in build-up, flawless on the ball, especially as his defenders really struggled against the Norwich press. Made some good stops, but ultimately conceded two, which weren’t entirely his fault.

Taylor Harwood-Bellis (5): The Englishman was able to pick out Azaz/Armstrong in the half spaces from time to time, but winger Oscar Schwartz gave him no time on the ball, mostly forcing him to recycle possession or be intercepted; limited impact today.

Nathan Wood (3): Lost his man for both goals and had another weak game of being aggressive but failing to be effective. Had a decent first half but fell some way short in the second, losing concentration for both Norwich goals.

Jack Stephens (4): Unlike Wood, who was aggressive and challenging, the captain lacked that physical factor, but remained composed on the ball and kept his man quiet.

Ryan Fraser (3): The absence of Tom Fellows left a gaping hole on the right-hand side. The ‘Wee Man’ couldn’t fill it; he failed to make a single successive dribble and made one defensive contribution, despite many of their attacks from that flank.

Flynn Downes (6): A player who gave it his all. Some huge challenges halted Norwich attacks, but ultimately, he lost the midfield battle.

Caspar Jander (5): The 22-year-old was forward-thinking but often gave the ball away as a result. He had a decent game, but is evidently capable of much better performances.

Ryan Manning (6): A thunderous strike from the Irishman brought Southampton’s only reason for celebration. His tame attempt to win the header left him severely out of position for Norwich’s cross, leading to their opener.

Finn Azaz (4): He had one long-range attempt blaze over, but was otherwise absent in all of Southampton’s attacking play, bar his pass into Scienza, eventually leading to a penalty.

Adam Armstrong (4): The Championship top scorer missed a penalty, didn’t drop into space to receive and was kept predominantly quiet by the Norwich centre halves.

Leo Scienza (7): Far too much reliance on the Brazilian to create. The lack of Tom Fellows impacted the right side, leaving him as the only comfortable dribbler. He was fouled six times, which was crucial in lifting pressure off the Saints, and posed the largest threat by far. A level above the rest, usually, but even more so on the weekend.

Substitutions

Cameron Bragg, Welington & Jay Robinson (4): Offered no improvement to the team in the second half, but didn’t weaken the side. A trio that felt absent and lacked any spark to kickstart anything.

Oriol Romeu & Cameron Archer — N/A

Tonda Eckert Post-Match

It was a disappointing outcome for the impressive Eckert, who has yet to solidify any away form. When his side has conceded first, they’ve lost both games.

Both goals were the result of crosses. He added:

Southampton face league leaders Coventry this Saturday at St Mary’s — a pivotal clash that could determine whether they’re ready to push on for promotion this season. Eckert reaffirmed his desire to win, mentioning: