U23 Report: Saints 4-1 Norwich

Dan N'Lundulu hit the ground running early on, before further goals from Tom O'Connor, Tyreke Johnson and a sumptuous strike from substitute Will Smallbone made the win certain, and blew the title race wide open.

Three points gained - vital in the quest for promotion - lifts Saints back to the top of the pile, overtaking rivals Wolves in the process, who don't play until Monday night.

It was a perfect opening for Saints, who had a clear game plan from the get go. They pressed high, played forward with tempo and were deservedly ahead inside 14 minutes.

Striker N'Lundulu was the focal point of a three pronged attack, and he was the first to benefit from the hosts' energetic start.

Callum Slattery spread the ball wide for Jake Vokins, who needed little invitation to motor forward down the left, and his floated delivery picked out the head of N'Lundulu, who was denied at first attempt, but made no mistake with the rebound.

He had the chance for a second moments later, having rounded defender Ciaren Jones, but stung the side netting with his angled shot.

Continuing to dictate, Christoph Klarer's glancing header flew millimetres over the crossbar, before, in almost identical fashion, O'Connor was picked out at the back post.

The perfect conclusion to a dominant half, the captain rose highest and crashed his header goalward, beating Jon McCraken with sheer power in the 43rd minute. Lead doubled; Saints were in complete control entering the break.

And there was no let up in the second period as Radhi Jaïdi's side continued to capitalise on their momentum. Almost from kick-off, N'Lundulu fed Johnson, who had the presence of mind to slip the ball under McCraken whilst on the move, giving Saints a three goal cushion.

Norwich continued to struggle with the intensity set by boys in red and white, but did manage to claw back a lifeline in the 79th minute. Substitute Pierre Xavier caught the hosts uncharacteristically short at the back, and rounded off a well-executed counter with a sweeping first-time finish. 

The visitors' momentary excitement was ultimately short-lived, though, as Smallbone stepped off the bench to kill any hope of a Canaries revival six minutes from time.

Disappointed to have let a goal slip, the midfielder picked up a good position on the edge of the box, and fired low across McCraken, drilling the ball into the far corner with pinpoint accuracy.

Head to Head Stats

• Possession (%)
  48

  52
• Shots
  12

  8
• Shots on target
  9

  2
• Corners
  5

  1
• Passes Complete
  290

  326