Norwich City fell to a 2-0 defeat away at Southampton on Friday night in the Premier League.
Southampton opened the scoring on 36 minutes when Che Adams bundled the ball home after a cross from Tino Livramento.
Oriol Romeu netted a late second goal for the hosts as they succumbed City to defeat on their travels.
Dean Smith named an unchanged starting eleven from the game against Liverpool last weekend. He was also handed a boost on the bench with Tim Krul and Lukas Rupp both returning from injury to make up the matchday 18.
Southampton controlled the early period of the match, as they used their patience in possession to move the City defence around in a bid to find gaps to exploit.
However it was the Canaries who had the first meaningful effort on goal. Teemu Pukki chased down a loose ball on the right-hand side and cut the ball back to Josh Sargent, whose low shot was blocked by Livramento. City kept the ball alive but Billy Gilmour’s deflected effort went wide.
Saints started to get their shots away as the half progressed, but neither of their two opportunities around the 20 minute mark threatened to change the scoreline with both Armando Broja and James Ward-Prowse ineffective with their efforts.
City were struggling to get their foot on the ball in the opening quarter, with Southampton’s press leaving them little time and space to build from the back.
Southampton’s first-half pressure paid off on 37 minutes, however there was a touch of fortune about the finish. Livramento fortuitously found the ball at his feet on the right and crossed aiming for Adams in the area. A combination of Angus Gunn and Max Aarons saw the ball bounce kindly for Adams in the six-yard box and he scooped over the pair to put the hosts in front.
Southampton looked to add to their lead as the game approached the break and Mohamed Elyounoussi fizzed a shot wide on the stroke of the half-time whistle.
City knew they had to come out and chase the game after half-time, and Kenny McLean had a sight at goal on 53 minutes, however he couldn't keep his effort down after Pukki's cross.
Southampton were relatively comfortable in the early phase of the second-half and looked to extend their advantage with 25 minutes to play, but City were indebted to Gunn for a string of saves to deny Stuart Armstrong and Kyle Walker-Peters.
Dean Smith switched things up shortly after, introducing Pierre Lees-Melou and Lukas Rupp for Milot Rashica and Mathias Normann.
The changes gave City fresh impetus in the final third, and Lees-Melou was provider for a great chance on 77 minutes as his cross was nodded just wide by skipper Grant Hanley.
Kieran Dowell entered the fray with 10 minutes remaining, as City made a last ditch attempt to salvage a point.
However, Romeu lashed an effort home with a few minutes to play to seal the points for the Saints.
Southampton: Forster (GK), Walker-Peters, Romeu, Ward-Prowse, Adams (Long, 84), S. Armstrong (Djenepo, 90+2), Broja (Stephens, 81), Livramento, Salisu, Elyounoussi, Bednarek\
Subs not used: Lewis (GK), A. Armstrong, Perraud, Diallo, Walcott, Valery\
Goals: Adams (36), Romeu (88)**\
Bookings:** Salisu (39)\
\
Norwich City: Gunn (GK), Aarons, Gibson, Hanley (c), Gilmour (Dowell, 81), Normann (Lees-Melou, 72), Rashica (Rupp, 72), Williams, Pukki, McLean, Sargent\
Subs not used: Krul (GK), Byram, Zimmermann, Placheta, Giannoulis, Rowe\
Goals: \
Bookings: Pukki (59), Williams (90)\
**\
HT:** 1-0\
Venue: St. Mary's Stadium\
Referee: Simon Hooper\
Attendance: 31,182