Norwich 2-1 Southampton: Player ratings as Dean Smith wins first Canaries game

Norwich fought back from a goal down to earn a 2-1 win at home to Southampton in Dean Smith's first game in charge.

The Canaries have now won back-to-back Premier League games following their abysmal start to the season and sacking of Daniel Farke.

Smith's reign got off to the worst possible start when Che Adams managed to wriggle away from Grant Hanley and fire Southampton into a fourth minute lead.

But Norwich responded superbly and were level just a couple of minutes later. Max Aarons' cross from the byline was met by the head of Teemu Pukki, and his effort squirmed past Alex McCarthy at the near post.

Southampton wanted a penalty when Ibrahima Diallo fell under a challenge from Todd Cantwell, but Martin Atkinson wasn't interested.

Adam Armstrong had a fierce strike blocked by Ben Gibson and Tino Livramento's ball across the face of goal was just too powerful for Adams to reach as the Saints ramped up the pressure.

Norwich showed more bite after the break, with Milot Rashica and substitute Josh Sargent stinging the palms of McCarthy.

Pukki had a shot deflected by Jan Bednarek which McCarthy was alert to in order to keep the scores level.

Southampton finally caved under the pressure when Hanley headed Norwich in front inside the final 15 minutes, and were unable to haul themselves despite late efforts from Armstrong and Theo Walcott.


Norwich City player ratings

1. Goalkeeper & defenders

Hanley had a mixed game | Harriet Lander/GettyImages

Tim Krul (GK) - 6/10 - Made some good stops to deny Southampton on numerous occasions.

Max Aarons (RB) - 6/10 - Did well to tee up Pukki and was one of Norwich's more useful outlets in playing from the back.

Grant Hanley (CB) - 4/10 - Horrendous Premier League defender. Decent header-er of a football.

Ben Gibson (CB) - 5/10 - Made some vital interceptions and didn't make any mistakes.

Brandon Williams (LB) - 4/10 - Not good enough physically or technically. Diallo didn't have the best game but still got the better of Williams easily.


2. Midfielders

Billy Gilmour scarcely featured under Daniel Farke | Harriet Lander/GettyImages

Mathias Normann (CM) - 6/10 - Some neat touches and passes - including in the build up to Pukki's equaliser - but failed to calm Norwich down.

Kenny McClean (CM) - 6/10 - As porous as anything in midfield in the first half but ramped up the intensity after the break.

Billy Gilmour (CM) - 6/10 - Overrun by Southampton's relentless pressing at times but was still able to put in a passable performance.


3. Forwards

Cantwell was disappointing | Harriet Lander/GettyImages

Todd Cantwell (RW) - 3/10 - Played with aggression, but not much else. Hooked at half-time.

Teemu Pukki (CF) - 7/10 - Deserves to play with a better supporting cast. Wasting his attacking talent on one of the Premier League's worst teams ever.

Milot Rashica (LW) - 5/10 - Another quiet game on the ball from a man who was being linked with moves to Liverpool and Everton last season. Worked hard, mind.


4. Substitutes

Josh Sargent (RW) - 7/10 - Changed the game with his dynamism and energy.

Lukas Rupp (CM) - N/A

Christos Tzolis (LW) - N/A


Southampton player ratings

5. Goalkeeper & defenders

McCarthy had a game to forget | Eddie Keogh/GettyImages

Alex McCarthy (GK) - 2/10 - At the risk of being criticised by the goalkeepers' union, McCarthy probably shouldn't have been beaten so easily at his near post on both goals.

Tino Livramento (RB) - 6/10 - Another lively game from Southampton's star player this season. Just lacked that bit of end product.

Jan Bednarek (CB) - 5/10 - Solid enough though not really tested.

Mohammed Salisu (CB) - 4/10 - Useful going forward but was on skates a lot at the back.

Kyle Walker-Peters (LB) - 4/10 - Playing on the left suits Walker-Peters going a lot more due to his lack of significant pace, allowing him to cut inside and help create overloads. Struggled defensively after Sargent's introduction.


6. Midfielders

Romeu started well but then faded | Justin Setterfield/GettyImages

Ibrahima Diallo (RM) - 5/10 - Some lovely moments of footwork but not enough of a sustained performance.

James Ward-Prowse (CM) - 6/10 - Controlled the first half but couldn't keep up with Norwich's competitiveness afterwards.

Oriol Romeu (CM) - 5/10 - Decent enough, especially when you consider how much of a zero he can be in possession.

Mohamed Elyounoussi (LM) - 5/10 - Showed good chemistry with Walker-Peters on the left.


7. Forwards

Adams opened the scoring | Harriet Lander/GettyImages

Adam Armstrong (CF) - 5/10 - Pressed relentlessly and unlucky not to grab a goal of his own in the first half. A quieter second period after being moved out wide.

Che Adams (CF) - 7/10 - A decent performance from a man in form. After firing Scotland to the World Cup play-offs, Adams ran right through Norwich on his return to domestic action.


8. Substitutes

Armando Broja (CF) - 5/10

Theo Walcott (CF) - 5/10

Lyanco (CM) - N/A


Source : 90min