31.08.2013 18:33 h

Football: Redmond fires Norwich to first win of the season

Chelsea v Hull City - Premier League
Chelsea v Hull City - Premier League

Norwich secured their first Premier League win of the season as teenage winger Nathan Redmond clinched a 1-0 victory over Southampton on Saturday.

Chris Hughton's side had taken only one point from their opening two matches, but Redmond, a close-season signing from Birmingham, struck midway through the second half at Carrow Road to get the Canaries off and running.

The 19-year-old's pace often had Southampton on the back foot and his goal, a fierce drive from the edge of the penalty area, was just reward for a fine display.

Southampton were left frustrated by their first defeat of the campaign after a penalty appeal was turned down when Bradley Johnson clearly handled an Adam Lallana strike in front of referee Howard Webb.

Southampton captain Lallana also saw a volley come back off a post and record signing Dani Osvaldo had a close-range effort saved by John Ruddy.

Redmond was in good form from the start and he dispossessed James Ward-Prowse and burst down the left, cutting inside and unleashing a drive that went just wide.

Southampton looked sloppy and were almost punished when Danny Fox, in at left-back for Luke Shaw, gave away a second free-kick in a matter of minutes.

Robert Snodgrass's free-kick was nodded goalwards by Ricky van Wolfswinkel and into the path of fellow Holland international Leroy Fer, who was unable to find a way past Artur Boruc from close range.

That escape appeared to act as a wake-up call for Southampton and they should have had a 19th-minute penalty.

Lallana wriggled free of City's defenders, only for his strike goalwards to be batted away by Johnson in the box.

Southampton appealed but Webb, well placed to see the incident, turned down their claims.

The visitors kept pressing and when Ward-Prowse's floated free-kick was only cleared as far as Lallana, the Southampton captain's volley struck a post.

Ruddy had to be at his best to deny Osvaldo early in the second half.

However, it was Redmond proving the Canaries' biggest threat and he crossed for Johan Elmander, only for the Sweden international to head wide.

And Norwich finally made the breakthrough in the 68th minute when England Under-21 international Redmond cut inside and lashed home from the edge of the area.