LONDON • A Dusan Tadic double gave Southampton's stuttering English Premier League campaign a major boost with a comfortable 3-0 victory over promoted Norwich City at St Mary's yesterday.

Seventh last season, Ronald Koeman's side had drawn two and lost one of their first three matches.

However, yesterday's victory lifted them into the top half of the table, one point above Norwich.

The Canaries' task was made harder after they went down to 10 men in the first half after right- back Steven Whittaker was sent off for two bookings within four minutes.

Having just been yellow-carded for preventing Matt Targett from taking a quick throw-in, the Scotland international was booked a second time for holding Tadic back on the halfway line.

Making their extra man count, the Saints' Graziano Pelle opened the scoring in first-half stoppage time before Serbia winger Tadic struck twice in the second half.

"It is always important to get the first win. We have not had the start we wanted but we are happy to get back to winning ways with a good performance," Southampton captain Jose Fonte told Sky Sports after the match.

"We are seen as a good team and we need to win. That is the mentality we must have.

"We have an international break now and we can approach the next game with more confidence. Great three points for us."

REUTERS, AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE