Newcastle 1 Southampton 0 – An absolutely magnificent effort and win by 10 man Newcastle United

Newcastle 1 Southampton 0 – Saturday 17 August 3pm

Fair to say most (all?) of us expected a Newcastle United win.

However, not many would have predicted it quite like this…

Newcastle only 22% possession and Southampton more than six times as many shots, four times as many corners and five times as many shots on target.

Kick-off.

Newcastle United started brightly and got Southampton on the back foot early.

However, fair play to the visitors, as after some early panic, they started playing through the Newcastle high press with some brave play.

United reacted with a more controlled approach and the high press became more of a when they could try and do it.

The referee made his intentions clear when not even giving a free-kick, never mind a booking, when a ball was played up to Gordon and his clever dummy and turn saw him wiped out.

The match quickly swinging to the other end and on the right side Sugawara edged past Lewis Hall and when the Newcastle defender put his hand on the Southampton player’s shoulder, the ref couldn’t book him quick enough.

The Saints the better team but not really threatening, Newcastle showing patience.

Then Ben Brereton Diaz changed everything.

Some shameful cheating by the Southampton player, it was daft by Fabian Schar to give him the opportunity, but no excuse for this behaviour to get another player red carded. Newcastle had actually already won a free-kick, the cheat pushed Schar over from behind, the NUFC defender sprung back up and it was one of those head to head situations but the Swiss defender pushing his head forward a bit more. Absolutely outrageous that he then threw himself to the ground as though Tyson Fury had launched him, VAR upholding the red card on 28 minutes whilst the cheat only booked for the push AND the playacting.

There is no atmosphere quite like it when a St James’ Park crowd feels wronged.

The noise was superb and surely a key factor in helping the players do their thing.

United on the back foot as they looked to see it out to half-time and Eddie to have a word.

On 45 minutes though the brave Newcastle move of having a few players pressing high suddenly paid massive dividends. The Southampton keeper clearly getting too relaxed, his pass cut out by Isak, squared to Joelinton, he controlled and then a class low left shot from 10 yards gave the keeper no chance.

Second half, Newcastle United didn’t have a single corner or shot on target, indeed no shots at all!

A couple of breaks where sub Barnes in particular failed with a great chance when Isak played him through but his touch was too strong and went to the keeper.

However, other than that, it was all about discipline and guts.

All of the players were magnificent and no one more so than Joelinton. Match winner and man of the match.

He and the rest of the outfield players did such a magnificent job that despite all of the stats (apart from goals!) in the visitors’ favour, they actually were restricted to only five on target AND Nick Pope only needing to make one real quality save as I recall, tipping Armstrong’s volley over.

Absolutely magnificent effort from all concerned.

Stats via BBC Sport:

Newcastle 1 Southampton 0 – Saturday 17 August 3pm

Goals:

Newcastle United:

Schar red card 28, Joelinton 45

Southampton:

(Half-time stats in brackets)

Possession was Newcastle 22% (27%) Southampton 78% (73%)

Total shots were Newcastle 3 (3) Southampton 19 (4)

Shots on target were Newcastle 1 (1) Southampton 5 (1)

Corners were Newcastle 3 (3) Southampton 12 (1)

Touches in the box Newcastle 16 (11) Southampton 48 (8)

Pope, Livramento, Schar (Krafth 28), Burn, Hall (Kelly 70), Longstaff, Bruno, Joelinton; J Murphy (Krafth 30), Isak, Gordon (Barnes 70)

Subs:

Dubravka, Trippier, Targett, Osula, Almiron, Willock

Attendance: 52,196

Newcastle United schedule to end of October 2024:

Sunday 25 August 2024 – Bournemouth v Newcastle (2pm) Sky Sports

Week commencing Monday 26 August 2024 – Carabao Cup round two matches will be played

Friday 30 August 2024 – Summer transfer window closes at 11pm.

Sunday 1 September 2024 – Newcastle v Tottenham (1.30pm) Sky Sports

(The first international break of the season)

Sunday 15 September 2024 – Wolves v Newcastle (4.30 pm) Sky Sports

Weeks commencing Monday 16 September AND Monday 23 September – Carabao Cup round three (This round split over two midweeks)

Saturday 21 September 2024 – Fulham v Newcastle (3 pm)

Weeks commencing Monday 16 September AND Monday 23 September – Carabao Cup round three (This round split over two midweeks)

Saturday 28 September 2024 – Newcastle v Man City (12.30 pm) TNT Sports

Saturday 5 October – Everton v Newcastle (5pm) Sky Sports

Saturday 19 October – Newcastle v Brighton (3pm)

Sunday 27 October – Chelsea v Newcastle (2pm) Sky Sports