Morgan Schneiderlin Southampton
Saints midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin scored his second goal of the year in Saturday's 4-2 victory over Norwich City. Reuters

An early goal from Morgan Schneiderlin in the first five minutes handed Southampton a lead it would never surrender in Saturday’s 4-2 victory over Norwich City at St. Mary’s.

Southampton won just the second of their last nine home matches behind three more goals from Rickie Lambert in the 57th minute, Jay Rodriguez and in the 72nd minute and Sam Gallagher in extra time of the second half.

As the Saints' campaign enters the final stage, the victory leaves them in eighth place and six points back of Everton for the final Europa League slot.

Late goals within a minute of each other from Johan Elmander and Robert Snodgrass proved too little too late for Norwich. The Canaries have as just three wins in the last 16 matches.

Gaston Ramirez placed an excellent through ball to Schneiderlin for a right-footed shot to the bottom left corner of the net for the 1-0 lead in the fifth minute.

Lambert would accept a clearing header deep in Norwich territory and then create space with a few touches to slip a shot past keeper John Ruddy for the 2-0 lead.

Lambert also assisted Rodriguez on his 12th goal of the year, eliminating any chance of a Norwich rally with a three-goal advantage with less than 20 minutes to play.

Southampton 4-2 Norwich City All Goalsby all-goals