NEW vs SOU
Match Centre

if you concede the goals we conceded, this is not the way to succeed. we must find quick the way to better defending - if you don't do this, it's tough to win games."

ralph hasenhüttl

southampton manager

Our report from St James' Park

A crazy afternoon in the north east, where Saints pushed and pushed but could not find a third goal. Here's our match report on the action.

FULL TIME: Newcastle United 3-2 Southampton

It's all over at St James' Park The damage was done in a first half in which the home team led 2-0 and 3-1, with Takumi Minamino on target for Saints on his debut. James Ward-Prowse pulled another goal back from a brilliant free-kick early in the second period, before Jeff Hendrick was sent off and Fabian Schar left the field injured, but nine-man Newcastle held on for victory.

Ward-Prowse's cross is overhit

It goes beyond everyone in the box and behind for a goal kick. There's 60 seconds left.

Over from Vestergaard

The ball drops his way again in the box, but a crucial touch from a defender ensures the chance flies over.

6️⃣ added minutes...

Can Saints find an equaliser?

Newcastle survive a scramble

Redmond's low cross reaches Vestergaard, who is denied by some last-ditch defending, before Ings sees a shot cleared off the line. Saints doing everything but score.

Adams shoots over

The ball breaks on the edge of the box, but Adams snatches at it and fires over the bar from 20 yards. Ward-Prowse wanted him to leave it for him.

Southampton substitution: Dan Nlundulu replaces Jack Stephens

Hasenhüttl has wasted no time in sacrificing a defender. Nlundulu is on.

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Yellow Card for Jan Bednarek (Southampton)

Almiron pushes the ball past Bednarek, who blocks him off and gets a yellow card for his troubles. Free-kick in shooting range for Newcastle.

Bertrand nearly picks out Adams

Ings takes a quick throw-in to catch out Newcastle, setting Bertrand away, whose cross is inches away from the sliding Adams.

Adams goal ruled out

Redmond pokes the ball through for Ings, who is denied by Darlow before the ball runs loose for Adams to tap in. But again the flag is up - Ings was offside in the build-up.

Ings hits the post!

Saints are pushing hard now. Adams plays the ball wide for Redmond, whose cutback is hit first time by Ings, who curls the ball away from Darlow, but it bounces out off the far post and into the grateful grasp of the goalkeeper.

Rain wreaking havoc 🌧

That pitch is sodden - at times the ball is struggling to roll properly. Torrential conditions that could play a part in the final outcome.

Vestergaard denied an equaliser!

So close! Another Ward-Prowse set-piece causes more problems - this time a corner from the left that's met by Vestergaard, who is denied by a point-blank save from Darlow.

GOALSCORER 8 James Ward-Prowse

What a free-kick!

I know we've come to expect great things from the skipper, but even by his standards that is SPECIAL! He sends a 30-yard free-kick bending away from Darlow and flying into the top corner!

We're back under way at St James' Park

A big second half needed.

HALF-TIME: Newcastle United 3-1 Southampton

An eventful half at St James' Park, where Saints have shot themselves in the foot right on the stroke of half-time. Joe Willock and a Jan Bednarek own goal fired the hosts 2-0 up, before Takumi Minamino got one back on his debut with a stunning strike into the roof of the net. But Miguel Almiron added Newcastle's third after some sloppy play from the visitors, restoring United's two-goal cushion.

4️⃣ added minutes...

We're into stoppage time. Injuries to Manquillo and Wilson mean there's plenty of life left in this half yet, as Saints win a corner.

Bertrand shoots over

It's a nicely worked free-kick from Saints, as Ward-Prowse fakes to deliver a cross but instead pulls the ball back for the onrushing Bertrand, who fires high into the stands. It deserved a better finish.

GOALSCORER 19 Takumi Minamino

One back for Saints!

What a finish on his debut! Bertrand plays the ball inside for Minamino, who takes the ball brilliantly in his stride and dispatches an unerring shot into the roof of the net. Game on!

Ings goes close again

This time it's a cross from the left by Bertrand that flicks up off a defender kindly for Ings, but he can't generate any power on his header, which is easily saved.

Great chance for Ings 😩

Lovely build-up play as Adams finds Ings in the box, who goes through on goal but the angle tightens on him, and ultimately his low shot is blocked by Darlow.

Better from Saints...

That was an encouraging attack, as Stephens clips the ball into Ings, who chests down for Adams to burst into the box and appeal for a penalty, but the flag is up against his strike partner in the build-up.

Saints all in red 🔴🔴🔴

It's red shirts, red shorts and red socks for Saints today. Newcastle are in their traditional black and white stripes.

First involvement for Vestergaard

The Great Dane is in the right place to tidy up and win a foul from Wilson that relieves some early pressure on the visiting defence.

We're under way!

The action is up and running at St James' Park...

we have a few more options, which is important to work on our game plan. hopefully we show a good reaction today - i think it's necessary. we are still a team that has 29 points so far, so we must show our other face."

ralph hasenhüttl

southampton manager

Our newest debutant! 🇯🇵

Takumi Minamino is in from the start this afternoon... how excited are you for his Saints debut?

Warm-ups complete 🌡

The players have been completing their pre-match prep on the pitch in front of us...

A lot of love for the skipper ❤️

James Ward-Prowse tops today's key man poll! We're 15 minutes away from kick-off...

Who remembers this guy? 🇳🇱

We can't see St James' Park without thinking of Eljero Elia! The Dutchman scored both goals the last time Saints tasted victory on Tyneside, back in January 2015.

4️⃣ changes for Saints...

It's good news for Ralph Hasenhüttl, who is able to welcome back Jannik Vestergaard and Oriol Romeu to his starting line-up. Kyle Walker-Peters remains sidelined, so Jack Stephens looks set to shift across to right-back. Elsewhere, there's a debut for Takumi Minamino, while Nathan Redmond also comes into the side. Kayne Ramsay, Alex Jankewitz, Stuart Armstrong and Moussa Djenepo drop out.

SAINTS TEAM CONFIRMED 😇

Starting XI: McCarthy, Stephens, Bednarek, Vestergaard, Bertrand, Ward-Prowse, Romeu, Redmond, Minamino, Adams, Ings.

Subs: Forster, Salisu, Ramsay, Finnigan, Chauke, Watts, Djenepo, Tella, Nlundulu.

especially in the moment where you don't have them very close to you physically, it's important to know they are still there and are still watching you and that you still emotionalise them with what you're doing. it's important to know they are there, because this is the most important reason that you do it, to make them happy, to give them enjoyment."

ralph hasenhüttl

on messages of support from saints fans

Thank you for believing, Saints fans!

Our first poll of the day has produced an overwhelmingly positive response! A massive 77% of you think Saints will bounce back with three points today 🙌

3️⃣0️⃣ minutes until team news...

We'll bring you both starting line-ups from 2pm GMT sharp! Who are you hoping to see return from injury today?

Last time against the Toon 💭

It was a night to remember for Southampton supporters back in November, as this 2-0 victory over Newcastle propelled Saints to the Premier League summit for the first time ever,

A contrast of styles...

Sam Tighe has been taking his usual tactical look at today's game, dissecting the instructions from the two managers, and what Saints need to do to return to winning ways. Check out his latest Tactical Watch column here.

Get clued up 🤓

Check out our detailed Match Pack for all the key facts and stats as we countdown to kick-off at St James' Park.

A new arrival! 🤩

Another boost to the Saints squad has been the arrival of deadline-day signing Takumi Minamino. The Japan international, on loan from Liverpool, has been training with the squad this week and could make his debut today...

Look who's back! 🇩🇰

It's been seven weeks since Jannik Vestergaard last featured in the first-team, but the big defender is back from injury and expected to be in the squad today!

Putting the work in at Staplewood 📸

Check out some of our photos from the training pitch, where the players have been preparing for today's game.

IT'S NEVER NICE IF YOU LOSE LIKE THIS... I MUST SAY A BIG THANK YOU TO ALL THE PEOPLE OUT THERE WHO WERE SUPPORTING US AFTER THIS GAME, about HOW WE GOT PUNISHED IN SOME MOMENTS. we don't let this game have such an affect on this season that it stops us playing good football."

ralph hasenhüttl

on bouncing back from defeat in midweek

Time to put things right 👊

Hear from Saints boss Ralph Hasenhüttl, who has been discussing how his side must move forward after a difficult week.

Back to work 💪

It's back to Premier League action for Southampton today, with the chance to bounce back from a painful midweek result at Old Trafford. Saints are in 12th, four places and seven points ahead of hosts Newcastle United. Is this the day Ralph Hasenhüttl tastes victory at St James' Park for the first time? Stay with us for all the build-up, team news, match updates and live commentary!