SOU vs NEW
Match Centre
SOU vs NEW As It Happened
Key moments so far
- Ché Adams and Stuart Armstrong fire Southampton to victory at home to Newcastle
- Saints hit top spot in the Premier League for the first time ever
- Theo Walcott assists Adams and shoots wide with chance to score on his second home debut
- Oriol Romeu hits the bar from long range; Jan Bednarek denied by goal-line clearance
FULL TIME: Southampton 2-0 Newcastle United
WE ARE TOP OF THE LEAGUE! For the first time in the history of the Premier League, Southampton hit the summit! Ralph Hasenhüttl's men achieved it in comprehensive fashion with a dominant victory at St Mary's. Ché Adams struck the opener inside seven minutes from a cross by returning home debutant Theo Walcott, before Stuart Armstrong wrapped up the victory eight minutes from time. A special night!
3️⃣ added minutes...
We're into stoppage time at St Mary's!
Yellow Card for Sean Longstaff (Newcastle United)
Longstaff catches Ward-Prowse with a stray arm and is rightly cautioned.
What a save from McCarthy!
An outstanding header from substitute Joelinton is destined for the top corner, but McCarthy gets across his goal and makes a stunning stop, diving high to his left to preserve Saints' clean sheet.
ARMSTRONG MAKES IT TWO!
Armstrong wins the ball on the edge of the Newcastle box - symbolic of Saints' high press - shifts the ball on to his left foot and buries a low shot into the bottom corner. A much-deserved second goal!
GOOOAL!!!
Stuart Armstrong (82’) | 2 – 0
Walcott denied by last-ditch tackle
A terrific counter-attack from Saints, as Adams feeds Armstrong, who lays the ball off for Walcott. Lascelles comes flying in and it looks like a foul, but Newcastle survive as Walcott is halted in his tracks.
The wall stands tall!
Saints repel Murphy's shot and the danger is averted.
Armstrong penalised for handball...
It's a free-kick right on the edge of the penalty area for Newcastle, who have hardly threatened at all since half-time. This is a presentable opportunity for the visitors.
Bednarek goes close again
More work for Darlow to do in the Newcastle goal, as Bednarek meets another Ward-Prowse corner with a thumping near-post header, but the keeper is alert to keep the Polish defender at bay.
Saints appeal for a penalty...
Ward-Prowse carries the ball forward and feeds Djenepo to his left, who turns away from Murphy and goes down, but no penalty is forthcoming.
Romeu thwarted by a flying save!
What a strike from Romeu, who looks to have found the top corner from 20 yards, but Darlow somehow gets fingertips to the ball to tip it on to the crossbar. So close again!
Bednarek denied by a goal-line clearance!
Saints are pushing hard for the second goal. Ward-Prowse's corner is headed back across goal by Vestergaard and driven goalwards by Bednarek, but Lascelles is there on the post to head the ball to safety.
Walcott threatening again
Again he drives at the defence from a central position, this time shooting low against a defender, and the ball deflects behind for a corner. Early intent!
We're back under way at St Mary's
The second half is up and running. Keep it up, lads!
HALF-TIME: Southampton 1-0 Newcastle United
That was a very positive half for Southampton, who raced into an early lead through Ché Adams's brilliant volleyed finish from Theo Walcott's cross. Walcott had a golden opportunity to double the lead shortly before half-time, but shot wide as he spurned the chance to score on his second home debut for the club. Newcastle have posed little threat so far, and Saints should be further ahead.
Yellow Card for Federico Fernández (Newcastle United)
The defender slides into stop Walcott in full flight. Saints have a free-kick near the right corner of the penalty area, which is punched clear by Darlow.
What a chance for Walcott!
It looked for all the world that Walcott was going to celebrate his second home debut with a goal at the end of a flowing Saints move, but his placed shot from the edge of the box goes agonisingly wide.
Saints enjoying plenty of possession
It's been an impressive first half from Saints - the enforced changes to the line-up don't seem to have disrupted the team's rhythm so far. Plenty of controlled possession late in the half, although chances have dried up at both ends.
Tricky footwork from Djenepo
Lovely tight dribbling in the box from the winger, who wins a corner. Ward-Prowse delivers from the right, but Newcastle clear the danger.
Yellow Card for Oriol Romeu (Southampton)
Romeu goes into the book for bringing down Saint-Maximin and halting a Newcastle counter-attack.
McCarthy denies Longstaff
Lewis crosses from the left and picks out Longstaff, who is unmarked in the middle, but can only head the ball straight into the arms of McCarthy. That's a let-off for Saints, as Newcastle begin to grow into the game.
Great defending from Ward-Prowse
That's the first time Newcastle have threatened. Wilson runs at the Saints defence and opts to pass instead of shoot, looking for Saint-Maximin to his left, but Ward-Prowse reads the danger and makes a crucial interception.
Dominant start from Saints 💪
This has been an excellent first 15 minutes from Saints, whose energy is too much for Newcastle so far. The visitors really haven't settled yet.
Walcott shoots wide
Romeu wins the ball authoritatively in midfield, before Walcott seizes on the loose ball and drives at the Newcastle backline. He looks for the curler into the top corner, but his technique lets him down and the ball sails harmlessly wide.
Adams goes close again!
He's full of confidence now, the Southampton no 10, who collects a cross from the right, swivels and shoots low, but it's a simple save for Darlow. That's three shots on target for the striker already, including his brilliantly-taken goal.
WHAT A START!
A brilliant opening goal! Adams had only just forced a fine save from Karl Darlow, before Saints kept the attack alive, Walcott crossed and Adams volleyed home a superb finish from 12 yards! Get in!
GOOOAL!!!
Ché Adams (8’) | 1 – 0
New role for Stephens
Ralph Hasenhüttl has taken the approach of minimising the disruption to his regular line-up, so Kyle Walker-Peters continues at right-back, with Jack Stephens on the left. Theo Walcott plays up front alongside Ché Adams, with Moussa Djenepo starting on the left flank.
We're up and running!
The action is under way... stay here for all the updates as the action unfolds. Come on you Saints!
Paying our respects...
With kick-off approaching, both sets of players are observing a minute's silence on the edge of the centre circle.
20.00The man for the big occasion!
With 34% of the vote, you voted Theo Walcott as tonight's key man! Let's hope for a homecoming to savour for the returning Saint...
19.571️⃣5️⃣ minutes to go...
The stage is set! A beautiful sight, only missing the sound of 30,000 Saints fans to roar the lads on...
19.4619.21i know that they (the players) know it, but i think it's better to focus a little bit more on the things that can help us to get there. i don't like this message 'what happens if we...' - let us do it first."
ralph hasenhüttlon the chance to go top
Happy homecoming 🏡
Last time Saints were in action at St Mary's, an impressive display defeated the team on top of the Premier League. Tonight, it's Ralph Hasenhüttl's side with the chance to take top spot...
19.17Newcastle team confirmed
SOUTHAMPTON TEAM CONFIRMED 😇
Starting XI: McCarthy, Stephens, Bednarek, Vestergaard, Walker-Peters, Armstrong, Ward-Prowse, Romeu, Djenepo, Walcott, Adams.
Lots of support for this guy! 🙌
With 54% of the vote, Theo Walcott is YOUR pick to start alongside Ché Adams tonight, in the absence of Danny Ings. We'll have Saints' confirmed starting XI very soon...
18.55GOAL OF THE GAME WINNER 🏆
Our first poll of the day has drawn to a close, and 48% of you voted James Ward-Prowse's second free-kick at Villa Park as the goal of the game! Check out this old-school video of JWP showing us how it's done!
18.22A second home debut for Theo?
Theo Walcott could be in line to make his second home debut in a Southampton shirt tonight, 15 years since his first. Check out our feature-length interview with the returning Saint, or read the article here.
18.111️⃣ hour until team news! ⏳
By his own admission, Ralph Hasenhüttl has some key decisions to make this evening. We'll bring you both team line-ups at 7pm GMT!
18.0017.51he reminds me, the way he strikes it, he's so like a beckham. he's a really top, top midfield player. he epitomises southampton and what they're all about. i've got the highest regard for him, he's a really good player."
steve bruceon james ward-prowse
Your comprehensive guide 📝
Check out our Match Pack, containing everything you need to know ahead of tonight's game!
17.47Transformation complete! 📈
Also in the running for an individual award is Ché Adams, whose two goals and one assist in October have seen him nominated for the Premier League Player of the Month prize!
17.44Congrats, boss! 🎉
Ralph Hasenhüttl has been named on a five-man shortlist to be crowned Premier League Manager of the Month for October! Saints took seven points from their three matches, recording wins over West Brom and Everton either side of a thrilling comeback to rescue a draw at Chelsea.
17.411️⃣4️⃣ wins on the road! 🛣
With 14 away wins at the helm, Ralph Hasenhüttl has tied the record for the most victories on the road of any Southampton manager in the Premier League era! Enjoy some fond memories here...
17.34Picking up where we left off 🙌
It was an eventful day last time out, as Saints stormed into a 4-0 lead at Villa Park, eventually running out 4-3 victors after a late revival from the hosts. Remind yourself of the goals here!
17.1516.46we are very calm, we have good game management and we are definitely finding the different levels between the lines much better now, with much more patience. this patience we will definitely need against a good, organised team."
ralph hasenhüttlsouthampton manager
Hear from the boss 🎙
We caught up with Ralph Hasenhüttl to discuss selection headaches, Saints' impressive upturn and the prospect of hitting the Premier League summit...
16.43Enforced changes incoming...
Ralph Hasenhüttl has been updating Saints supporters this week on all the latest injury news, after ever-present trio Jan Bednarek, Ryan Bertrand and Danny Ings were all forced off in Sunday's 4-3 win at Aston Villa. Check out the key team news here.
16.41💡 FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS 💡
We're back! After four wins in five, Southampton know one more victory tonight would see them hit top spot - at least temporarily - in the Premier League. Newcastle United are the visitors to St Mary's and have proved stubborn opponents in recent seasons. Stay with us for all the build-up, team news and live match updates on a BIG night of action under the lights!
16.38SOU vs NEW Line Ups
Southampton
1 |
Alex McCarthy (GK)
|
---|---|
2 |
Kyle Walker-Peters
|
35 |
Jan Bednarek
|
4 |
Jannik Vestergaard
|
5 |
Jack Stephens
|
6 |
Oriol Romeu
|
12 |
Moussa Djenepo
Nathan Redmond (74′)
|
8 |
James Ward-Prowse (C)
|
17 |
Stuart Armstrong
|
10 |
Che Adams
|
32 |
Theo Walcott
Shane Long (88′)
|
Substitutes
7 |
Shane Long |
---|---|
27 |
Ibrahima Diallo |
23 |
Nathan Tella |
44 |
Fraser Forster |
40 |
Daniel N'Lundulu |
31 |
Kayne Ramsay |
11 |
Nathan Redmond |
Newcastle United
26 |
Karl Darlow (GK)
|
---|---|
15 |
Jamal Lewis
|
18 |
Federico Fernández
|
23 |
Jacob Murphy
Joelinton (79′)
|
6 |
Jamaal Lascelles (C)
|
5 |
Fabian Schär
|
24 |
Miguel Almirón
|
36 |
Sean Longstaff
|
16 |
Jeff Hendrick
Matthew Longstaff (61′)
|
10 |
Allan Saint-Maximin
|
13 |
Callum Wilson
Andy Carroll (78′)
|
Substitutes
4 |
Matthew Longstaff |
---|---|
9 |
Joelinton |
14 |
Isaac Hayden |
2 |
Ciaran Clark |
19 |
Javier Manquillo |
29 |
Mark Gillespie |
7 |
Andy Carroll |
SOU vs NEW Match Stats
Head to Head Stats

-
Possession (%)6139
-
Shots154
-
Shots on target82
-
Corners73
-
Passes Complete464270