Norwich set for drop after another loss
Excitement building for Liverpool’s coronation as champions
Norwich City’s relegation fears took one giant step towards becoming a reality last night as they were comfortably defeated 3-0 by Southampton at Carrow Road, leaving them rooted to the bottom of the Premier League table, six points from safety and having played one game more than their rivals.
With no home fans present to urge them on due to the coronavirus pandemic, Norwich looked like a team who have already accepted their fate to be playing Championship football next season as they were outclassed by the Saints on their first outing in three months.
Following a frustrating and goalless first half for the visitors, Danny Ings’ strike was worth the wait. Just four minutes after the interval, the England man grabbed his 19th goal of the season with an unstoppable rising strike past goalkeeper Tim Krul.
It was curtains five minutes later as Ings turned provider, playing in Stuart Armstrong, who was allowed all the time in the world to cut inside and double the lead.
And Southampton showed Norwich just what their toothless attack is missing when Nathan Redmond clinically made to 3-0 with when he skinned Ben Godfrey and sent a sublime left-foot shot into the back on the net.
Even Canaries manager Daniel Farke must be planning for life in the second tier next term — if he is still in the job.
Meanwhile, Arsenal coach Mikel Arteta says playmaker Mesut Ozil must get back to his best in training if he wants to reclaim his place in the starting line-up. Ozil was a regular in Arteta’s starting XI before the league was suspended due to the Covid-19 pandemic but the German was left out of the squad altogether for the game at Manchester City on Wednesday where Arsenal were defeated 3-0.
“I’m the first one who wants Mesut at his best. I’ll put him on the pitch when I think he can give his best,” Arteta said ahead of the league game at Brighton today.
Excitement building
City’s victory over Arsenal means Liverpool cannot seal a first league title in 30 years against Everton tomorrow, much to the blue side of Merseyside’s relief.
Jurgen Klopp’s men are just two wins away from the historic feat and victory at Goodison Park will allow them the chance to win the league on home soil when Crystal Palace visit Anfield on Wednesday.
“You can feel it,” said Klopp of the excitement building around his side’s return. “I feel the intensity everywhere.”
The earliest Liverpool could now be crowned champions is on Monday should the Reds win and City lose to Burnley.
At the other end of the table, Watford get the weekend action started as they host third-placed Leicester. Manager Nigel Pearson says he has fond memories of managing today’s opponents Leicester but has no time to dwell on nostalgia as he prepares to lead his new team’s Premier League survival bid.