Southampton were frustrated as the full-time whistle blew at Carrow Road on New Years Day, as a second-half equaliser gave Norwich City a point against the run of play.
On the face of it, a draw away at a decent Norwich side to extend Southampton’s unbeaten run to 18 games is no bad thing. However, the fact that Russell Martin‘s side were so dominant means that returning to St Mary’s without all three points will leave a bitter taste in Southampton mouths; particularly given they have seen this happen on a number of occasions this season.
Southampton had 75% possession, managed 21 shots, took 12 corners and registered an xG of 2.19 to Norwich’s 0.94 and yet ended up drawing the game. Of the 21 shots, only four were on target which is clearly part of the problem but once Adam Armstrong scored his 13th of the season to finally break the deadlock in the 70th minute it felt as though Southampton should go on to comfortably see the game out.
This wasn’t the case however, as Norwich fired back with a 78th minute leveller courtesy of second-half substitute Josh Sargent. Southampton still enjoyed the bulk of the ball following Norwich’s equaliser but lacked the same control they had previously, as the Canaries repeatedly looked a threat on the counter.
Southampton looked very dangerous early in the encounter, with Norwich clearly concerned by their opponents. However, it was clear that when Sam Edozie went off injured in the 27th minute following a dangerous challenge by Jack Stacey that Southampton’s pace and threat in behind just wasn’t the same.
Sam Edozie injury made Southampton less threatening
The challenge by Stacey was a poor one and was perhaps evidence of how concerned the full-back was about coming up against an in-form Edozie.
The 20-year-old has scored five Championship goals for Southampton this season and looked in the mood to add to his tally at Carrow Road as he constantly looked to get on the ball and tease Norwich defenders with his close control.
The challenge that caused the injury came from Edozie getting to the byline and digging out a left-footed cross, but he had showed already in the early stages of the game just how good he is going either way which is a defender’s nightmare.
Ryan Fraser was the man chosen to replace the injured Edozie and played well, but he simply does not possess the same pace and trickery that terrifies defenders. He has a different skillset to Edozie and his experience makes him a reliable player to call upon, but Stacey immediately looked more comfortable when Fraser came on.
Speaking post-match, Martin was unable to provide any clarity around the severity of the injury saying: “I don’t know. His ankle has ballooned up but I can’t give you any estimate, it would be a guess.”
Edozie’s injury has the potential to cause Martin a real headache. If it is a serious one then that would mean both Edozie and Kamaldeen Sulemana are absent through injury in a key period and Fraser is the only senior winger available. Fraser has been a shrewd loan signing and has delivered some important contributions from the bench this season but has struggled to have an impact when starting games.
Luckily for Southampton, if Edozie is to face a spell on the sidelines the January transfer window is now open. The Saints were already in the market for a winger, having not replaced Nathan Tella following his summer departure, but this change in circumstances will likely accelerate any plans the club had.
Kyle Walker-Peters has operated as a right winger on a couple of occasions in recent weeks and has performed the role well but Southampton look more threatening when he starts as a right-back and joins the attack from a deeper position. Adam Armstrong has also played the majority of his football from a wide right starting position this season but this has worked due to the touchline-tight threat of a winger on the other flank.
With Edozie potentially out alongside Sulemana, having just Fraser available as a left winger has the potential to make Southampton a little one dimensional and lacking in pace in the final third. With an FA Cup game against Walsall up next, Martin will have a chance to take a look at his squad and think about how he can adapt to cope if Edozie is to miss a run of games.