Report and free match highlights from the Sky Bet Championship match between Southampton and Norwich City at St Mary's as Adam Armstrong scores two penalties for Saints in an incredible eight-goal thriller
Saturday 12 August 2023 18:56, UK
Adam Armstrong's 97th-minute penalty saved Russell Martin's St Mary's curtain-raiser as Southampton drew a topsy-turvy 4-4 clash with Norwich.
Josh Sargent gave the Canaries an early lead before Saints hit back to claim the lead through Jan Bednarek and Armstrong's first spot-kick.
But Norwich returned their advantage by half-time thanks to Gabriel Sara's thunderbolt and Jon Rowe's header.
Che Adams got Saints back level before Christian Fassnacht thought he had won it six minutes from time with his first Norwich goal, only for Armstrong's last-gasp penalty.
Former Norwich player Martin was taking charge of Southampton at St Mary's for the first time and aiming to become the first Saints manager since Glenn Hoddle in 2000 to win their first two league matches.
After an early sighter from Rowe, Sargent gave Martin a rude awakening to life on the south coast as the Canaries striker finished off a swift attack in the seventh minute.
Ashley Barnes had brilliantly held up the ball before releasing Jack Stacey to stand up a cross at the back post for Sargent to open his account for the season.
What came next was a frantic 344 seconds which saw the game see-saw with three goals.
It started with a recycled corner whipped back into the box by Kyle Walker-Peters, new club captain Jack Stephens' header was saved but centre back Bednarek was on hand to smash in his first goal since April 2022 with the rebound.
Three minutes later, in the 20th minute, Will Smallbone's cross was handled by Shane Duffy. Armstrong stepped up and converted for his second goal of the season.
But the Canaries went straight back up the other end, where Brazilian Sara controlled the ball around Smallbone before rifling into the top corner with his left foot.
Shane Duffy hit the side netting, Armstrong had a header cleared off the line and Stephens bravely blocked from Kenny McLean to continue the exhilarating first half.
Rowe managed to find a free header from a Sara corner in stoppage time to loop Norwich back into the lead.
There was little let up in the second half as Adams came off the bench for a second week in a row to find the back of the net.
The former Birmingham attacker thumped a low shot across the face of goal and into the bottom corner.
Both sides had good chances to win the game but for heroic defending and keeping. Carlos Alcaraz had one shot saved and another grazed the crossbar.
Norwich sub Fassnacht was crowded out on the counter, before Angus Gunn produced a stunning save to keep out Armstrong's acrobatic effort.
But the Canaries took the lead for a third time with six minutes to go as Ryan Manning made a hash of clearing Dimitris Giannoulis' cross to give Fassnacht a simple finish.
But Giannoulis' nudge on Walker-Peters gave Armstrong his second penalty of the game. Alcaraz even had time to curl a 98th-minute effort just wide to conclude a thrilling fixture.
Southampton's Russell Martin:
"It was a fair result for both teams. I would have been really upset if we had lost and really gutted for the supporters and players. It was a good advertisement for the Championship. It was entertaining. I don't think either keeper did much wrong - it is madness they both conceded four goals. It was a strange and crazy game and I hope we don't have many like that. There were too many moments that we wouldn't have wanted. We gave them too many moments.
"I'm angry and annoyed at conceding four goals but on the other hand I'm proud about the team's character and being so dominant in some parts. We had 31 shots which is a lot so there is plenty to be proud of but still be annoyed. It is the first time back this season and after last year there was too much nervousness."
Norwich's David Wagner:
"No [it wasn't naive to concede a late penalty], under pressure and away from home those situations can happen. I thought the players worked really hard but there was a lack of concentration at the end of the game that must not happen. We weren't super clinical but we still scored four goals!
"Today it was entertaining. I think you have seen two quality sides early in the season when both teams want a win. I am happy about how brave the players were but I've seen we have a lot of work to do."
