Soccer Football - Premier League - Southampton v Norwich City - St Mary's Stadium, Southampton, Britain - December 4, 2019 Southampton's Ryan Bertrand celebrates scoring their second goal with team mates Action Images via Reuters/Peter Cziborra
SOUTHAMPTON, England (Reuters) - Southampton boosted their hopes of staying in the Premier League after a fine first-half performance garnished by goals from Danny Ings and Ryan Bertrand helped them to a nervy 2-1 home win over struggling Norwich on Wednesday.
The Saints dominated the opening exchanges of the relegation dogfight and Ings fired them ahead in the 22nd minute when he headed home a James Ward-Prowse free kick.
Moussa Djenepro drove a shot over the bar for the home side before left back Bertrand made it 2-0 in the 43rd minute, capitalising on another fine set piece by Ward-Prowse as he slotted in the midfielder's corner at the far post.
Soccer Football - Premier League - Southampton v Norwich City - St Mary's Stadium, Southampton, Britain - December 4, 2019 Norwich City's Onel Hernandez in action with Southampton's James Ward-Prowse Action Images via Reuters/Peter Cziborra
Southampton almost netted the third on the stroke of halftime when Norwich keeper Tim Krul only just managed to tip Pierre Hojberg's deflected shot over the bar.
The tide turned after the break as Teemu Pukki's fierce shot was parried by Alex McCarthy and the Finnish striker pulled one back for Norwich in the 65th minute when he beat the Saints keeper with a clinical finish from inside the penalty area.
Norwich launched a fierce onslaught in the closing stages and substitute Emiliano Buendia missed a gilt-edged chance to salvage a point for the visitors when he headed wide of the far post in stoppage time.
Soccer Football - Premier League - Southampton v Norwich City - St Mary's Stadium, Southampton, Britain - December 4, 2019 Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhuttl celebrates at the end of the match Action Images via Reuters/Peter Cziborra
(Reporting by Zoran Milosavljevic; Editing by Ed Osmond)
Soccer Football - Premier League - Southampton v Norwich City - St Mary's Stadium, Southampton, Britain - December 4, 2019 Southampton's Jan Bednarek in action with Norwich City's Ben Godfrey Action Images via Reuters/Peter Cziborra Soccer Football - Premier League - Southampton v Norwich City - St Mary's Stadium, Southampton, Britain - December 4, 2019 Southampton's Ryan Bertrand celebrates scoring their second goal with team mates Action Images via Reuters/Peter Cziborra Soccer Football - Premier League - Southampton v Norwich City - St Mary's Stadium, Southampton, Britain - December 4, 2019 Southampton's Ryan Bertrand celebrates scoring their second goal with team mates Action Images via Reuters/Peter Cziborra Soccer Football - Premier League - Southampton v Norwich City - St Mary's Stadium, Southampton, Britain - December 4, 2019 Southampton's Danny Ings scores their first goal Action Images via Reuters/Peter Cziborra Soccer Football - Premier League - Southampton v Norwich City - St Mary's Stadium, Southampton, Britain - December 4, 2019 Norwich City's Kenny McLean in action REUTERS/Ian Walton Soccer Football - Premier League - Southampton v Norwich City - St Mary's Stadium, Southampton, Britain - December 4, 2019 Norwich City's Teemu Pukki celebrates scoring their first goal Action Images via Reuters/Peter Cziborra Soccer Football - Premier League - Southampton v Norwich City - St Mary's Stadium, Southampton, Britain - December 4, 2019 Southampton's Danny Ings celebrates scoring their first goal with team mates REUTERS/Ian Walton
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