Gabbiadini at the double to earn point

Saints fell behind to Isaac Hayden’s speculative low shot in the 20th minute, but rallied after half-time as Gabbiadini’s solo effort levelled things up after Joselu had struck the crossbar.

Parity would prove short lived as Ajose Pérez immediately restored Newcastle’s lead, leaving Saints chasing the game again.

But when Long was tripped in the box 15 minutes from time, Gabbiadini stepped up to ruthlessly lash home from the penalty spot.

Mauricio Pellegrino made one change to his starting line-up following the two-week break for international fixtures, as Gabbiadini was summoned to provide extra firepower to the attack alongside Long.

Maya Yoshida captained the side in the absence of Steven Davis, who dropped to the bench.

Straightaway there was more intent about Southampton, as Long flicked on to Nathan Redmond, who forced the first corner in the very first minute.

When Newcastle were awarded one of their own, Jonjo Shelvey’s delivery found its way through to Christian Atsu, whose low drive from 20 yards fizzed just wide of Fraser Forster’s near post.

Next to go close was Dušan Tadić – twice in quick succession. First the Serbian fired over from distance, before Redmond picked him out with a cross that deserved more than a tame header on to the top of the net, with both strikers in support awaiting a knockdown.

There was plenty to be positive about from a Saints point of view, but the visitors were about to edge in front, sending the 3,000 travelling Geordies into a frenzy.

It was Atsu who had the first effort, well blocked by Yoshida, but as the ball came out to Hayden, the midfielder tried his luck from 25 yards with a first-time shot that wrong-footed Forster and rolled into the net.

The goal seemed to affect Southampton’s confidence, but the pressure on the Magpies’ defence was mounting again by half-time.

Saints attacked an exposed backline at pace through Tadić, whose pass to Long just forced the striker slightly too wide for his shot to worry Newcastle.

Then Redmond was sharp to release Ryan Bertrand down the left flank with a quickly-taken free kick, with Bertrand’s cross picking out Tadić for another chance deflected behind.

There was another sky blue shirt in the way at the end of the best move of the game, as a first-time exchange involving Mario Lemina, Oriol Romeu, Redmond and Long culminated in a timely block.

It would not take long for Saints to draw level after the restart, but there was still time for a heart in mouth moment before the equaliser arrived.

Pérez bustled his way into a crossing position and picked out Joselu, whose innocuous touch threatened to loop into the far corner only to bounce back into play off the crossbar.

But Saints soon regained their composure to end a run of three consecutive games at St Mary’s without scoring.

It was all Gabbiadini’s own work. Plucking a diagonal ball out of the sky, he patiently held on to possession with Javier Manquillo at his back, negotiating a yard of space just inside the penalty area to shoot between the defender’s legs and inside Elliot’s near post.

It was a clever finish, but Gabbiadini’s exploits counted for nothing when Saints found themselves trailing again a matter of seconds later.

Again it was a goal created and scored by the same man, as Pérez darted into a shooting position and let fly with a strike that Forster parried but only into the path of the onrushing Spaniard, who gleefully dispatched the rebound inside the near post from a narrow angle. 

Pellegrino soon responded by introducing Sofiane Boufal for Redmond, followed by Davis for Romeu.

Both replacements were involved in the lead up to Gabbiadini’s second. Davis’ first-time pass released Boufal, who initially overran the ball before it broke for Long.

The Irishman raced away down the left and traded passes with Boufal to get into the box, where he was tripped by Florian Lejeune.

Referee Kevin Friend pointed to the spot and up stepped Gabbiadini to rifle the ball beyond Elliot’s despairing left hand.

Pellegrino’s final throw of the dice was to bring on Charlie Austin for Long, whose willing running was so instrumental in drawing the hosts level, as Saints set about turning one point into three.

Neither team could be accused of settling for a share of the spoils, but Davis' goal-line clearance to deny Lejeune's late header was the closest anyone came to snatching victory.