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.
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.
