Saints see off Norwich

Southampton celebrate taking the lead

Southampton 2-0 Norwich

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Southampton deservedly booked their place in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup after defeating Norwich in a largely uninspiring game at the St Mary's Stadium.

Saints striker Brett Ormerod hit the post after just four minutes, but goalmouth excitement was scarce until Saints took control with two goals in three minutes midway through the second half.

Anders Svensson opener came just minutes after Norwich's Paul McVeigh struck the crossbar with a curling short.

Jo Tessem smashed home the second and decisive goal shortly afterwards before Norwich's misery was completed when Malky Mackay was sent-off.

KEY MOMENTS

4 mins: Ormerod's shot hits the post

25 mins: Green saves Beattie's free-kick

69 mins: McVeigh's shot hits the post

71 mins: Anders Svensson scores for Saints

74 mins: Tessem doubles Saints' lead

82 mins: Malky Mackay is dimissed

Saints have enjoyed an excellent season under the stewardship of Gordan Strachan and must now fancy their chances of reaching the final.

Ormerod hit the post after three minutes following Mackay's failure to head clear a long punt up field

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And in an open start to the match Norwich also pressed forward, with McVeigh shooting just wide from long range after 15 minutes.

It is disappointing because for 70 minutes we matched them in every department only to make two mistakes for their goals.

Norwich City manager Nigel Worthington

But Saints seemed to possess the greater goal threat and James Beattie forced a fingertip save from Robert Green with a firmly struck free kick.

The Saints striker then showcased his aerial ability with a neat header that forced another tidy save from Green.

Chris Marsden shot tamely wide after superb flicks from Beattie and Ormerod had sliced open the Norwich defence and shortly before the break Green denied Anders Svensson as the home team pressed for an opener.

Steen Nedergaard made a crucial tackle early in the second half to prevent Matthew Oakley from scoring, before McVeigh forced Antti Niemi into action at the other end of the field.

Both sides were extremely committed

But with both teams desperate to not to surrender the initiative in midfield, clear openings remained at a premium.

McVeigh, in a rare moment of inspiration, weaved inside the Saints area and curled a delightful shot the agonisingly rebounded off the woodwork.

When you get to the quarter-finals it is no good fearing anybody

Southampton manager Gordon Strachan

It proved to be the start of the key phase of the match.

Saints broke forward and Beattie knocked down Marsden's cross for Anders Svensson to bundle home from short range.

And shortly afterwards Tessem, only just on as a substitute, smashed home his team's second after Green parried Marsden's shot.

Norwich's increasingly miserable afternoon deteriorated further when Mackay was sent from the field after collecting two yellow cards.

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Southampton: Niemi, Telfer, Michael Svensson, Lundekvam, Higginbotham, Anders Svensson, Oakley (Dodd 68), Delap (Fernandes 32), Marsden, Beattie (Tessem 72), Ormerod.
Subs Not Used: Jones, Williams.

Norwich: Green, Nedergaard, Mackay, Fleming, Drury, Russell, Holt, Mulryne (Abbey 72), McVeigh (Easton 88), Roberts, Nielsen (Henderson 80).
Subs Not Used: Heckingbottom, Crichton.

Sent Off: Mackay (82).

Booked: Nedergaard, Mackay, Russell.

Attendance: 31,103

Referee: G Barber (Hertfordshire).