Liam Manning expects Norwich improvement after EFL Cup exit to Southampton

Norwich head coach Liam Manning spoke of his frustration after seeing his side suffer a third successive home defeat.

Having lost to Millwall and Middlesbrough in the Championship, the Canaries went down 3-0 to Southampton in the second round of the Carabao Cup despite making a strong start to the game.

Alex McCarthy kept Norwich at bay with some fine saves before Cameron Archer curled home a well-taken opener for the Saints.

Ryan Fraser then produced another sharp finish just past the hour mark to extend the visitors’ lead before substitute Kuryu Matsuki opened his account for the club with a stunning long-range third.

“Bearing in mind the volume of changes, I thought there were plenty of good elements in the first half and then a sloppy moment, and to be fair a fabulous finish, sees us go in one down.

“I thought there were some good moments in the second half as well but I didn’t like the way we finished the game. Our intensity needed to be a lot better.

“Overall we need to be tougher, a bit smarter and certainly a lot more clinical.”

Reflecting on the run of home defeats since he took charge in the summer, Manning added: “This is a new team with a lot of new faces and we are only five games in.

“If I thought we were miles away I would be concerned but with the direction this group is moving in I think there is a lot to be excited about.”

Saints boss Will Still was pleased with the victory but admitted his side’s slow start was a concern.

He said: “I’m really happy with the result but we started off slowly, getting into old habits of playing sideways and backwards and attracting pressure.

“But we started playing forward, got a really good first goal, and after that were more relaxed and in control.”