Southampton have the chance to top the Premier League for the first time in the Saints history with a win tonight as they clash another team playing excellent football in Newcastle. Will they be able to succeed without star man Danny Ings out with a knee injury? Luke Costello will be taking you through the action as it happens.
Having just received a nomination for October Player of the Month, Che Adams will be looking to fill the void Ings leaves today and add to his goal tally. Plus, James Ward-Prowse will be looking to continue his hot streak of scoring after whipping in two inch-perfect free-kicks last week against Everton. Southampton went unbeaten in October earning manager Ralph Husenhuttle a nomination for Manager of the Month, can he carry over this hot-streak into November?
Star signing Callum Wilson has been on fire recently for Newcastle, coming up with six goals in seven games, proving to be a real steal for the Magpies. He scored a brace in a 2-1 win against Everton last weekend and will definitely be looking to keep the fire burning. A win today will propel Newcastle into a Champions League place, which seemed near impossible at this stage last season exhibiting that Steve Bruce is certainly the man to be in Charge of the Magpies. Will he me able to manifest a victory against a team that doesn’t look like it can be slowed down right now?
Southampton Line-up:
Newcastle Line-up:
The last time Southampton and Newcastle faced off back in March, the Magpies ran away with three points after a 1-0 victory. I think today’s game will be an exciting affair, with both teams pushing to achieve great things this season, I can see a very high scoring game.
The players link arms and pay tribute to all of the soldiers who lost and risked their lives for England in World War One.
Theo Walcott is making his 350th appearance tonight, can he use his electric pace to help Southampton go top today?
Kick off to Newcastle as the players take the knee for BLM.
1″ With the silence in the stadium you can hear the fireworks booming above, Southampton start the game with a piece of comfortable possession.
4″ Oriol Romeu gets caught out on the edge of his box but Southampton recover the ball well and regain possession.
5″ Ward-Prowse fouls Fabian Schar.
7″ GOAL! Che Adams finishes from 12 yards.
The initial shot from Adams was saved by Karl Darlow but a defensive mistake from Miguel Almiron allowed Walcott to take the ball and set up Adams for his 3rd goal in four games. 1-0 Southampton.
9″ The Saints have looked lively since the get-go, they are definitely motivated to go top of the table today.
12″ Romeu puts in a good ball which Adams controls and fires straight at Darlow.
14″ Romeu wins the ball in midfield with a strong tackle, plays Walcott through but he shoots very high and wide.
Theo Walcott is looking very dangerous playing as a striker, running with the ball and creating chances.
17″ Chance wasted by Callum Wilson who tries to pass to Allan Saint-Maximin, definitely should have tested the keeper.
Saint-Maximin has struggled to get involved in these first 20 minutes, Newcastle need to change the flow of this game.
20″ Saint-Maximin uses his pace to run at the Saints defence, winning a corner.
22″ Jamal Lewis puts in a lofted cross which is met by the head of Sean Longstaff but it is dealt with easily by Alex McCarthy.
Southampton are keeping the ball well, not forcing anything which is why i think they are leading this game.
27″ Yellow card for Romeu. Cynical foul stopping Saint-Maximin from breaking away at pace.
James Ward-Prowse is covering extraordinary amounts of ground in this game, he really wants this win.
33″ Once again Newcastle are caught out on the edge of their box and Djenepo wins a corner for the Saints, nothing comes of it though.
35″ Stuart Armstrong is caught offside as the Saints try to counter-attack.
Jack Stephens has looked more than comfortable playing at left back, barely putting a foot wrong defensively and contributing to the build up in attacks.
Southampton are dictating the pace of this game, creating good chances and not letting Newcastle out of their half. Hasenhuttl must be proud of his teams performance.
41″ Djenepo uses a beautiful backheel flick to set Walcott away but he just bends the shot around the post. Great play from Southampton.
43″ Federico Fernandez booked after a cynical foul on Walcott who was bursting towards goal after another defensive mistake from Newcastle.
45″ Adams is furious with the referee as he gives a foul against him in the Newcastle box, Schar very nearly got caught out there.
Half time. Southampton 1-0 Newcastle.
Southampton kick off the second half.
46″ Armstrong gives away a foul on the edge of the Newcastle box, Southampton are still applying the same pressure they were in the first half.
49″ Walcott running at the Newcastle defenders again and his shot is blocked and out for a corner.
51″ Jan Bednerek has a shot blocked off the line by Jamaal Lascelles and then Romeu has a shot deflected onto the bar. Southampton could easily be two up already.
Southampton have started this second half excellently, still not allowing the Magpies any breathing room, with Newcastle not having a single shot this half so far. Steve Bruce should look at bringing on Andy Carroll to provide an attacking threat and bring in his wingers.
56″ A Ward-Prowse corner is very nearly met by the head of Vestergaard, he scored a bullet header last week.
61″ Matty Longstaff comes on for Jeff Hendrick. Both the Longstaff brothers are now in the middle of the park.
62″ Lovely ball through by Ward-Prowse to Armstrong, he wins a corner for the Saints.
63″ Terrific save by Darlow once again how stops a powerful header from Bednarek, he could have had two goals from corners with better luck.
68″ Saint-Maximin tries to use his quick feet to create something for Newcastle but he is swarmed by Saints players.
69″ Free kick awarded to Newcastle on the edge of the box, can Jacob Murphy score another free kick here.
70″ Free kick blocked by the wall.
73″ Nathan Redmond comes on for Moussa Djenepo.
75″ Marvellous challenge by captain Lascelles to deny a certain Walcott goal.
After watching the replay, Lascelles seems to have got away with giving away a penalty as he followed through on Walcott and touched the ball with his arm. Thoughts?
79″ Double sub for Newcastle. Andy Carroll and Joelinton come on for Callum Wilson and Jacob Murphy.
82″ Goal for Stuart Armstrong.
Once again Newcastle caught out on the edge of the box, Sean Longstaff this time, and Armstrong uses quick feet before blasting it home. 2-0 Southampton.
86″ Excellent save from McCarthy who stopped a bullet header from Joelinton after Lewis whipped in a beautiful ball.
88″ Shane Long comes on for Theo Walcott.
Walcott was involved in a lot of chances today and provided the assist for Adams, terrific performance from him today.
90″ Sean Longstaff receives a yellow as the frustration shows on his face.
90+3″ Great save from Darlow to deny another goal for Armstrong, which turns out to be the last kick of the game.
Full time. Southampton 2-0 Newcastle.
Southampton go top of the Premier League table for the first time in their history after a perfect performance against Newcastle, Ralph Hasenhuttl must be so happy with his side after that performance. Newcastle just could not cope with the constant high pressure of the Saints, only having two real opportunities throughout the whole game. Steve Bruce should really look towards working on playing out from the back if that’s the style of football he wants to play, as the Mags were caught in possession countless times on the edge of the box, two mistakes led to goals.
