SOU vs NEW
Match Centre

FULL TIME: Saints 1-4 Newcastle 

A disappointing day in SO14 with Perraud's goal merely a consolation as Newcastle claim victory over Southampton. Onto the next. 

Perraud pulls one back

An excellent piece of individual football from the Frenchman who dances his way into the area before executing a beautiful strike into the top corner. 

Saints still searching

With the scoreline seemingly out of reach, Saints continue to search for something from this game. Two corners in quick succession full to the head of Salisu but pose no true threat on goal. 

Yellow Card for Roméo Lavia (Southampton)

The youngster finds himself in the book for a tug on Guimaraes. 

Armstrong's shot falls for Pope

Elyounoussi works his way down the pitch before releasing Adam Armstrong inside the area, the Geordie takes the ball nicely but his strike is comfortably retrieved by Pope. 

Southampton substitution: Duje Ćaleta-Car replaces Armel Bella-Kotchap

Bella-Kotchap bows out with 20 minutes left to play. 

Southampton substitution: Joe Aribo replaces Stuart Armstrong

Southampton substitution: Adam Armstrong replaces Ché Adams

Southampton substitution: Samuel Edozie replaces Theo Walcott

The first of three changes. 

Adams shoots wide 

A nice run from Walcott who releases Elyounoussi on the left. He threads the ball into Adams inside the area but, taking it on the volley, his effort goes well wide of the post. 

Saints desperate for an equaliser 

The importance of an early goal is front and centre at St Mary's. Another free-kick from Ward-Prowse is played back to Elyounoussi outside of the area, trying his luck from range his efffort dips but goes over the crossbar. 

Ward-Prowse denied by Pope

Kick-starting the second-half with Ward-Prowse behind a dead ball. The free kick is positioned centrally but about 30-yards-out, the captain's effort finds its way past the Newcastle wall but directly into the gloves of Pope. 

Back underway at St Mary's

Time for a big second half in SO14. 

HALF TIME: Saints 0-1 Newcastle 

Southampton trail Newcastle at the break, with Almíron's goal the difference at St Mary's. The chances have been there for Saints, with Moi Elyounoussi closest to finding the back of the net deep into injury time. A devastating miss for the Norwegian, who failed to convert off the back of an excellent move from his teammates. A huge second half needed from Hasenhüttl's men. 

Elyounoussi fails to find the target 

Excellent build up play down the right with Adams, Maitland-Niles and Stuart Armstrong all performing before getting the ball into Elyounoussi at the far post. With pace on the ball, the Norwegian fails to control it to get it into the back of the net from close range. A huge opportunity missed. 

Four additional minutes ...

Can Saints pull a goal back before the break? 

Calls for a penalty?

Adams sets his sights on goal before being brought down inside the area by Guimaraes. The calls for a penalty are short lived with the ball falling to Elyounoussi, though his powerful strike is blocked. 

Saints looking to retaliate

Calls for an instant reaction from Saints who look to get their way back into the contest. A well paced break from Maitland-Niles down the left sees Saints on the counter, he looks for Adams on the edge of the box but the forward fails to make contact. 

Maitland-Niles switched to right back 

With the enforced change, Ainsley Maitland-Niles has pushed to right back. 

Southampton substitution: Roméo Lavia replaces Juan Larios

A return to Premier League action for Lavia as Hasenhüttl is forced into an early change at St Mary's, with Juan Larios unable to continue. 

Bazunu recovers 

A lifeline for the Irish international who gives the ball away to Almiron. The visitors do well to work the ball to Wilson and then Longstaff, who sees his close-range attempt denied by Bazunu, using his body well to block the threat. 

Perraud's strike deflected behind for a corner

Perraud releases a low shot from outside the area but with a lack of power behind it, it deflects behind for another Saints corner. 

Promising start from the men in white 

Saints looking for an early goal at St Mary's, plenty of bodies in the box as a long throw is delivered from the right. Pope looks like he's got a hold of the ball but it slips from his grasp and into a sea of Saints bodies. The ball falls for Stuart Armstrong who does his best to find space before the ball heads behind for a corner. 

Perraud looking to cause trouble on the left

An energetic start at St Mary's, with Saints looking to break down the left through Perraud. A long throw-in from Salisu is delivered into the box but is ultimately cleared by the visiting defence. 

Lift off at St Mary's 🚀

After an impeccably observed one minutes silence, Saints get things underway. 

Warming up 🌡

The players are warming up on the St Mary's turf! Kick-off is less than 20 minutes away...

Great to see you, Nigel!

One of today's special guests at St Mary's is double promotion-winning manager Nigel Adkins, who is a guest speaker in one of the St Mary's hospitality lounges.

Back in the XI 👊

It's a first Premier League start since Boxing Day last year for Theo Walcott, who is one of four Saints changes this afternoon. Armel Bella-Kotchap returns from injury to start in defence, Juan Larios plays at right-back and Ainsley Maitland-Niles is recalled in midfield, while Duje Ćaleta-Car, Lyanco, Ibrahima Diallo and Joe Aribo drop to the bench.

Southampton team confirmed 😇

Starting XI: Bazunu, Larios, Bella-Kotchap, Salisu, Perraud, Maitland-Niles, Ward-Prowse, S. Armstrong, Elyounoussi, Walcott, Adams.

This is Arma's house 🏡

Check out our feature interview with Adam Armstrong, who invited us into his house for a tour and a chat about family life, with the striker expecting his first child in the coming days.

The lads are here 👋

Our club photographer was on hand to capture the Saints players arriving at St Mary's this morning. Stay with us as we continue our countdown to kick-off!

Newcastle memories 🎞

It's two years to the day since Saints hit the Premier League summit with victory over today's opponents...

it's very important, and a very tough game against a strong side that has conceded [only] ten goals so far. we have conceded 20, so you see that with clean sheets you can achieve a lot. they've done it in a fantastic way."

ralph hasenhüttl

on newcastle's impressive season so far

The boss has his say 🎙

Check out manager Ralph Hasenhütt's pre-match press conference, as the Saints boss gave an update on the club's recent spate of injuries, as well as looking ahead to today's match-up.

It's matchday in the Premier League! 🏟

Southampton return to action this afternoon against a Newcastle United side flying high under Eddie Howe. For Saints, their recent resurgence was cut short by a frustrating 1-0 defeat at Crystal Palace last weekend, while yesterday's results mean Ralph Hasenhüttl's side have now slipped into the bottom three. It's a big day at St Mary's - stay with us for all the build-up and live match updates.