Newcastle United survived an early scare to make comparatively mild work of Southampton at St Mary’s on Saturday afternoon, Eddie Howe’s aspect working out 3-1 winners ultimately.
The Magpies performed a lot of the second half in second gear after Sandro Tonali’s good third purpose, the Italian constructing upon a powerful first-half brace from the irrepressible Alexander Isak.
Earlier than that, the hosts had taken the lead due to the pinnacle of Jan Bednarek, who was given the liberty of the penalty space to go dwelling with Tino Livramento’s defending notably poor.
A two-goal victory was in all probability what we might have predicted pre-match and it was nice to get by way of one other 90 minutes with out harm or incident. We’re ticking alongside very properly certainly!
Here is how we scored everybody concerned, from our excellent Swede to the hapless dolt with the whistle.
The Good
Alexander Isak by no means ceases to amaze. He received and scored the penalty to tug us degree—ending brilliantly from the spot after an extended wait—and scored an excellent higher second when despatched clear by Jacob Murphy. The Swede additionally performed his half within the third with a pleasant chest go to Gordon and ran the Southampton defence ragged all through the sport.
What a pleasure it was to see Sandro Tonali scoring a league purpose, 18 months after his first in opposition to Aston Villa. He received the ball again fantastically to set the transfer away initially and drove ahead onto Anthony Gordon’s go from there, ending so calmly after giving the Saints goalkeeper the eyes. He was simply one of the best of our midfield trio in any other case, too.
On the again, Dan Burn and Lewis Corridor did job of locking down the left aspect of the pitch. Burn appeared to relish the battle in opposition to Paul Onuachu—presumably the one time he’ll face anybody taller than him—with the massive man from Blyth making a large saving sort out on the striker within the second half. Corridor was quieter in his work however by no means appeared too troubled.
Our Brazilian pair Bruno Guimarães and Joelinton have been first rate sufficient with out being at their greatest. Bruno performed some beautiful passes within the first half however pale out of the sport a bit after the break, whereas Joelinton did his defensive work effectively however was fairly wasteful going ahead.
Jacob Murphy and Anthony Gordon every received an help, which made up for in any other case patchy shows from the pair of them. Murphy’s go to Isak for our second was excellent and he hit a cracking 25-yard effort off the submit within the second half, whereas Gordon performed a cracking first-time ball to ship Tonali clear to make it 3-1. We would wish to see much more from our quantity 10, although, who was sloppy in possession as soon as once more.
Saved between the sticks regardless of the return of Nick Pope, Martin Dúbravka justified the religion in him with one other stable show. His greatest save got here after his solely error when he was compelled to disclaim Taylor Harwood-Bellis from shut vary having did not deal correctly with a nook.
Eddie Howe is fairly good at bouncing again from dangerous outcomes, is not he? Despite the fact that we fell behind right here, we have been at it from the primary whistle and will in all probability have scored just a few extra if we might saved our foot on the gasoline for longer. Conserving vitality at this stage of the season is not any dangerous factor, although!
The Unhealthy
Southampton are statistically the worst aspect to have ever darkened the door of the Premier League, with simply six factors within the financial institution. They’d their moments right here, nevertheless it was simple to see why they’ve struggled a lot. We appeared to have acres to assault within the first half specifically and it was a shock we did not handle to bag greater than thrice.
Sam Barrott did his greatest to degree the enjoying discipline for the hosts, someway failing to see the clear foul on Isak for the penalty and being despatched to the display screen by VAR to embarrassingly overturn his non-decision. He appeared to bother the house followers as a lot because the away ones and we have been left perplexed by the best way he managed the competition. That is thrice we have suffered him this season and he is by no means scored higher than a ‘5’.
The Common
Tino Livramento wasted an enormous opening early on when failing to choose Isak out within the field with a easy sq. go and was largely at fault for Southampton’s first purpose when failing to choose up the free man in the midst of the field. Fortunately, the younger fullback recovered from there to ship a composed efficiency with and with out the ball.
Within him, this wasn’t Fabian Schär‘s most interesting hour and a half in our colors. The Swiss centre-back has been a bit shaky currently and he was extraordinarily fortunate to get away with leaving a excessive ball late on. He virtually let Southampton again into the competition when permitting Fernandes to attain the ensuing one-on-one, however the Portuguese was a whisker offside. Phew.
Lewis Miley and Joe Willock arrived from the bench within the 79th minute and have been every tidy sufficient with out being spectacular. We would wish to see extra of Miley, if attainable, as he all the time seems to have one thing about him when he will get an opportunity.
Sean Longstaff was launched in added time and solely had one contact, although Miguel Almirón appeared decided to benefit from what is likely to be his final look for the membership. The Paraguayan had one good run and shot (together with his proper foot!) that compelled a save from Alex McCarthy. He was serenaded by the good away following, too, which was nice to listen to.
The Breakdown
It is good to have the ability to dish out just a few 8s and 9s once more!
The XI
Martin Dúbravka – 7
Tino Livramento – 6
Fabian Schär – 6
Dan Burn – 8
Lewis Corridor – 7
Bruno Guimarães – 7 (off 79′)
Sandro Tonali – 9
Joelinton – 7
Jacob Murphy – 8 (off 90+2′)
Alexander Isak – 9 ⭐️ (off 79′)
Anthony Gordon – 7 (off 88′)
The Subs
Lewis Miley – 6 (on 79′)
Joe Willock – 6 (on 79′)
Miguel Almirón – 6 (on 88′)
Sean Longstaff – 6 (on 90+2′)
The Gaffer
Eddie Howe – 8
The Opposition
Southampton – 3
The Ref
Sam Barrott – 4
The Subsequent
We’re again at St James’ Park for a gathering with Fulham on Saturday afternoon. It is a conventional 3 p.m. (GMT) kick-off that will not be proven on TV within the UK.
At the moment’s 3-1 victory was about par given how poor Southampton are, however we might take any form of win in opposition to Marco Silva’s harmful aspect.
Howay the lads!
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