Norwich win a corner after Martina robs Hoolahan but cannot control the ball going back toward goal.

Redmond swings it in, but the whistle goes for Hoolahan grabbing hold of goalkeeper Stekelenburg's shirt. That's all fairly standard for a lacklustre game so far.

Garth Crooks
Former Spurs striker on Final Score

Southampton manager Ronald Koeman decided to leave out Sadio Mane this afternoon after the midfielder was late for a team meeting.

“If you’ve got rules, then you’ve got to keep to them. But it’s a big call for Ronald Koeman to leave out Sadio Mane. If he wins, fine. If he doesn’t, you’re going to get players saying: ‘Gaffer, are you sure about that?’

“I was late for a coach when I was at Charlton, and the only way I could get round it was to jump in my car and get to the ground before the team got there.”

A big call, but the right call? #bbcfootball

Bertrand swings in a free-kick from near the right touchline. Rudd comes a long way off his line to punch clear over the top of several heads in front of him.

Wes Hoolahan takes advantage of another Saints error in midfield and feeds Howson, but his ball across from the left towards Mbokani goes behind his striker and flies across the pitch harmlessly.

Chris Sutton
Former Chelsea & Norwich striker on Final Score

On Sadio Mane being dropped to the bench after not turning up on time for a team meeting.

"You want your best players to be playing. Imagine the boost for Norwich seeing him only on the bench. Neil Lennon [at Celtic] was once 45 minutes late and Martin O'Neill still played him."

What do you think? Get in touch at #bbcfootball

An even opening phase, with neither side dominating.

Image source, Opta

It's been a cagey few minutes with neither side able to keep the ball long enough, or well enough, to worry the opposition. There's also been a few niggly fouls but nothing worth a card as yet.

A fine run and pass n the left of the box from Ryan Bertrand sees the ball find its way to James Ward-Prowse, but his shot lacks venom and goes straight at Rudd.

Image source, Getty Images

Jonny Howson spurns the best chance so far, latching on to a mistake from Jose Fonte on the edge of the box but hopping up into the air he rolls his attempt about a yard wide of the right-hand post.

Saints get the first corner of the game when Brady blocks a Ward-Prowse cross.

Bertrand's attempt clears the first man fails to find a red-and-white shirt; Norwich clear briefly, then Victor Wanyama skies a shot over the bar from long range.

Norwich finally make an impression, with Brady nipping past Martina to the by-line to make a floating cross that Saints' defence clear. 

Brady quickly has another go, trying to find Mbokani but a Southampton boot gets in the way this time. It's an even start so far.

Steven Davis gets the first shot of the day from the edge of the Norwich box, but Russell Martin makes the block. 

Seconds later the ball is back over the Norwich area, and Long makes a brave header under pressure from Rudd, but the ball floats over the bar.

Jose Fonte's hopeful ball from deep over the top eludes Shane Long and is collected comfortably by Declan Rudd.

Referee Mark Clattenburg's whistle gets the game under way, Norwich kick off with a despondent-looking Sadio Mane watching on from the Saints bench.

Image source, Getty Images

And as the teams get ready, the VIP area is filling upand today it includes former Chancellor Ed Balls, who recently became Norwich's chairman.

Impressive stuff from the Southampton mascot as he prepares to come on - he's just gone through a thorough and professional set of stretches and warm-up exercises.

I'll just go and do the same while the teams emerge.

Martin Fisher
BBC MOTD commentator

Image source, Getty Images

"Norwich should go into 2016 quietly confident. Twenty points at the halfway stage means they're on target for Premier League survival.

"In the likes of Wes Hoolahan, Robbie Brady and Nathan Redmond, they have star quality. They lack a prolific striker but it's a problem shared by their relegation rivals and I'm sure their impressive manager Alex Neil will look to address it in the transfer window.

"All in all I think Norwich will stay up.

"No such concerns for Southampton - well, there shouldn't be, but their form has declined significantly since October.

"The 4-0 thumping of Arsenal on Boxing Day shines like a beacon alongside far too many recent defeats.

"A good January will dispel any doubts otherwise Saints could spend the spring anxiously looking over their shoulders."

Norwich were up against it from 31 minutes in when these two last met, on 30 August 2015. 

Steven Whittaker went for an early bath after receiving two yellow cards within three minutes, and the Saints claimed the win thanks to Graziano Pelle's opener and two from Dusan Tadic.

And to underline the point, Dusan helpfully reminded his fans of his name while celebrating.

Image source, Getty Images

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Mark Lawrenson
Ex-Liverpool defender

Image source, Getty Images

"Southampton can pull out some superb performances and some pretty poor ones. Their mentality is not as strong as it was last season and the players have been a bit inconsistent, particularly away from home where they have won just two from nine in the league."