RONALD Koeman needed some respite after Southampton exited Europe, while making a disappointing start in the Barclays Premier League, and he had the perfect response from his side as they dismantled ten-man Norwich City.
Alex Neil’s visiting team arrived on a 12-match unbeaten run in the league on their travels, but England’s top flight will be far less forgiving to them this season and Steven Whittaker’s red card was heavily punished.
Whittaker was rightly dismissed for two yellow cards in quick succession late in the first half, after a pair of cynical acts, and Graziano Pellè soon gave Southampton the lead. A quick-fire double from Dusan Tadic then put the game beyond Norwich just after the hour-mark, although they had rarely looked a threat before that point.
The result was timely for Southampton, who should be concerned about what effect this transfer window could have. Victor Wanyama, linked with Tottenham Hotspur, was understood to be not physically and mentally ready to play and left out of the squad.
Southampton, though, did not miss him. Even while both sides had 11 men, in the early stages, Koeman’s side were dominant. James Ward-Prowse had a dipping free kick pushed away brilliantly by John Ruddy, in the Norwich goal, and Jose Fonte also shot over from Tadic’s pass during a lively start.
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The visiting side, though, could have snatched the lead from an excellent chance against the run of play when Graham Dorrans crossed for Cameron Jerome, who was in space but hesitated and glanced his header wide.
That chance was a rare one and Norwich’s task was made even more onerous when Whittaker received his two yellow cards. The first of those arrived when he unsubtly blocked Matt Targett’s attempt at a throw, attempting to slow down the game so his team-mates could re-organise.
Having received that caution, Whittaker then foolishly held on to Tadic’s shirt as the Southampton forward chased a through ball. Tadic did not cover himself in glory either, apparently waving an imaginary card before the decision and then celebrating when it was shown.
Norwich looked desperate for half-time to arrive but they fell behind just before that chance to regroup arrived. Ward-Prowse played the ball forward to the edge of the 18-yard box for Sadio Mané, whose cross was met by Pellè, staying just onside as he connected.
Jay Rodriguez was brought on at half-time by Southampton and he came close to making a quick impact, forcing another agile save from Ruddy. As expected, Koeman’s men were carrying on with their dominance and Pellè gave Norwich further problems, sending a powerful strike just wide from the edge of the penalty area.
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It seemed just a matter of time before ten-man Norwich would fall apart and Tadic ensured that happened. His first goal was a first-time finish from Mané’s cross and the second one soon followed from a tap-in after Pellè had a header saved by Ruddy. That second goal was a culmination of a long passing move that typified Southampton’s better qualities on the day.
Once that cushion had been established, there was little left to play for. It was just the sort of comfortable ending that Koeman would have wanted after a testing week for the club.