Smith admits 'it was a difficult night' as Norwich fall deeper into relegation trouble

A 2-0 loss to Southampton leaves Canaries five points from Premier League safety

Southampton striker Che Adams controls the ball during the Premier League match against Norwich City at St Mary's Stadium in Southampton, southern England on February 25, 2022. AFP

Southampton's Che Adams, right, scores against Norwich. AP

Che Adams of Southampton scores his team's first goal past Angus Gunn of Norwich City. Getty Images

Southampton's Che Adams scores. PA

Southampton's Che Adams celebrates scoring. Reuters

Southampton's Che Adams vies with Norwich City's Brandon Williams. AFP

Oriol Romeu of Southampton scores past Angus Gunn of Norwich City. Getty Images

Oriol Romeu, centre, celebrates with Southampton teammates after scoring his team's second goal against Norwich. AP

Southampton's Che Adams vies with Norwich City's Brandon Williams. AFP

Southampton's Oriol Romeu and Norwich City's Josh Sargent, right, battle for the ball. AP

Soccer Football - Premier League - Southampton v Norwich City - St Mary's Stadium, Southampton, Britain - February 25, 2022 Southampton's Oriol Romeu celebrates scoring their second goal REUTERS/Tony Obrien EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club /league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details.

Southampton pushed Norwich City deeper into relegation trouble as the Premier League's bottom club slumped to a 2-0 defeat at St Mary's.

The Saints dominated the first half and were rewarded with Che Adams' opener before Oriol Romeu scored his first goal since October 2020.

Defeat leaves Norwich rooted to the bottom of the table five points from safety.

Only three teams have avoided relegation from the Premier League after losing as many as Norwich's 17 defeats by this stage of the season.

Having played more games than any of the teams directly above them, it is looking increasingly unlikely that Dean Smith's side will avoid relegation to the Championship.

"It was a difficult night. We gave the ball away too cheaply and when you do that you're going to be under pressure in the Premier League," Smith said.

"It's a disappointment because there's so many players that played below the standards they can, and have, played. All we can do is just concentrate on the next game now."

Southampton have lost just once in 12 games in all competitions and sit comfortably in mid-table.

Norwich have scored six goals fewer than any other side in the division this season, while only Leeds have a worse defensive record.

It didn't take long for Southampton to start exposing their flaws.

Armando Broja tested Norwich keeper Angus Gunn from the edge of the area after Brandon Williams' wayward pass conceded possession.

Moments later, Mohamed Elyounoussi picked out Kyle Walker-Peters, whose long-range drive was held by Gunn.

As Southampton's pressure mounted, Gunn adjusted well to get his body behind Stuart Armstrong's deflected effort.

The over-worked Gunn made an even better save to keep out Elyounoussi's close-range volley after Broja bundled James Ward-Prowse's cross towards the winger.

Adams headed a good chance wide from Ward-Prowse's corner, but the Scotland striker made amends in the 36th minute.

Tino Livramento's cross caused panic in the Norwich defence and when Gunn failed to handle the delivery, Adams stumbled but managed to hook his shot over the keeper and Max Aarons.

It was an ugly strike but Adams wasn't complaining as he celebrated his fourth goal in seven appearances in 2022.

Norwich had lost 50 of the last 51 Premier League games in which they trailed at the break.

There was no change to the pattern in the second half as Southampton flooded forward.

Armstrong and Ward-Prowse were both denied by Gunn, who also palmed away Kyle Walker-Peters' powerful volley.

Out of the blue, Norwich fashioned a chance to snatch an equaliser but Grant Hanley headed wide from Pierre Lees-Melou's cross.

Lees-Melou whipped over another inswinging cross that whistled just wide without any of his team-mates applying the finishing touch.

Just as Norwich finally had hope, Romeu killed them off in the 88th minute.

Ward-Prowse's corner was headed out only as far as Romeu, who smashed a half-volley past Gunn from the edge of the area.