Southampton climbed into the Championship play-off places and inflicted a fourth straight league defeat on Norwich City as Kuryu Matsuki scored the only goal of the game at Carrow Road.

Matsuki tapped home from close range in the 54th minute after City goalkeeper Daniel Grimshaw parried Caspar Jander's deflected shot into the Japanese winger's path.

Norwich had chances to get on the scoresheet before and after falling behind, but Jacob Wright shot straight at Daniel Peretz and Jose Cordoba's header was brilliantly blocked behind by Southampton's Lewis Dobbin on a frustrating evening for the hosts.

Southampton move up to seventh after their first Championship away win this season, five points off second-place Middlesbrough, while Philippe Clement's side are 20th, just a point clear of the relegation zone.

In need of a response after Saturday's 2-1 defeat by league leaders Swansea City, Norwich started on the front foot and went close to an early lead when Oscar Schwartau cut inside on to his right foot and fired just wide of the far post.

However, Southampton steadily grew into the contest. James Ward-Prowse bent a free-kick agonisingly wide, Finn Azaz went close with a left-foot volley, and Samuel Edozie was denied by a sharp save from Grimshaw, who started in goal for Norwich with first-choice keeper Vladan Kovacevic ruled out with a concussion.

As well as Wright's spurned opportunity, Saints goalkeeper Peretz was called into action to keep out Mathias Kvistgaarden's header.

Despite a goalless first half, the chances continued to flow after the break and Southampton scored for a 30th consecutive league match through Matsuki's sharp reactions.

Tonda Eckert's side should have added to their tally when Azaz picked out the unmarked Jander with a brilliant cross, but the German midfielder could not hit the target.

Norwich were unable to capitalise though as Peretz got down to deny Anthony Musaba's low shot and the hosts were roundly booed on the full-time whistle.

Norwich City head coach Philippe Clement told BBC Radio Norfolk:

"Very frustrated because it was again small margins.

"I saw a team that gave everything for 70 minutes. I was not pleased with some of the players coming on. There is maybe the excuse that they are a long time out, but I expected more.

"For 70 minutes we played a good game and created enough chances to score. We didn't give away much against a good team. A lot of positives to take, but in the end it's about results.

"It is close. Everybody who saw the game will say it was an equal game, toe to toe. The team needs to show the same mentality and keep playing like a team - then the points will follow."

Southampton head coach Tonda Eckert told BBC Radio Solent:

"It's not the first time we have made changes. It's 46 games in the league and the reality is we need every single [player].

"There's been reasons why we haven't picked up a win on the road so far, so there were a couple of considerations for the game today.

"It's good to know that you can trust every single one who comes on and every single one who starts because that's the only way for us to go for the ambitions we have this year. A couple of players have stepped up today and that's very important.

"[Flynn Downes] said 'strap me up and I'll play on Saturday'. Let's see. I hope it's not too serious. I think it's the outside ligament on the ankle. I'm hoping to have him back quickly.

"Medical team is not happy with me, because [Caspar Jander's] minutes were capped today and I put him on after 20 minutes. He almost scored towards the end, had cramps. I don't know how he does that.

"We need to assess. We watch some Bolton games on the way back home and then make decisions for Saturday."