It was backs to the wall however come the tip Southampton have been banging their heads in opposition to that black and white blockade. In shedding Fabian Schar to a crimson card within the first half, Newcastle gained a lot extra. Right here was a victory chiselled by coronary heart and need and fuelled by an obvious injustice.
Joelinton was the house match-winner in additional methods than one. He scored the sport’s solely aim in first-half stoppage-time after which defended the lead as if his life trusted it, and due to that his staff survived with a victory that appeared unlikely within the excessive after half an hour.
By then, Schar was off after an altercation with Ben Brereton Diaz and newly promoted Southampton have been within the ascendancy. That they had been the higher staff till that time. Newcastle, by comparability, weren’t excellent with or with out the ball.
There was no opening-day power to Eddie Howe’s aspect. Twelve months in the past, with new signing Sandro Tonali strutting across the park like a gladiator, Aston Villa have been put to the sword in a 5-1 win. The primary half-hour of this contest lacked all of that ceremony. It didn’t really feel like a curtain-raiser. If it was being performed within the again backyard, you may properly shut the curtains.
The crimson card modified all of that, and it was Newcastle who have been the chief beneficiaries.
Newcastle United beat newly-promoted Southampton 1-0 of their Premier League opener
Joelinton scored Newcastle’s first aim of the season simply earlier than half-time on Saturday
Newcastle took the lead regardless of being right down to 10 males after Fabian Schar (left) had been despatched off within the twenty eighth minute for headbutting Ben Brereton Diaz (proper)
Saints striker Brereton Diaz fell to floor dramatically after Schar’s act of violent conduct
Depleted in quantity however multiplied in spirit, they and their supporters got down to proper the supposed improper of the officers.
Craig Pawson was ‘not match to referee’ they chorused.
However whereas the whistler was forged because the pantomime villain, the true rogue was Schar.
Sure, the crimson card was as smooth because the contact his brow had made with Brereton Diaz, nevertheless it was nonetheless a crimson card.
The Swiss defender reacted after a shove within the again by the Saints winger.
Brereton Diaz then fell like a sack of spuds when Schar moved his head in the direction of him, however the Newcastle man was the tattie.
From that, nevertheless, got here noise, aggression and function. When Newcastle led it made little sense and but excellent sense simply the identical.
It was their first effort on aim of any description and, for creator Alexander Isak, simply his sixth contact of the sport.
Not that he was alone in seeing little of the ball, given Southampton had 73 per cent possession. However for all that Russell Martin’s aspect had been good, their work was undone by one thing very unhealthy.
Goalkeeper Alex McCarthy tried to play out from the again and it was a high quality go, straight to the ft of Isak, a minimum of.
He squared for Joelinton and the contact and end, each on his weaker left aspect, have been like that of the grasp marksman Newcastle thought they have been signing when the Brazilian arrived for a membership file £40million 5 years in the past.
He is not that participant – he by no means was – however the qualities he does boast in abundance subsequently helped his aspect see out a completely satisfying win.
Saturday’s sport was a foul tempered one that includes many yellow playing cards, in addition to the one crimson
It proved to be a really busy Saturday afternoon for referee Craig Pawson at St James’ Park
Newcastle midfielder Joelinton pictured celebrating after scoring his first aim since 2023
Joelinton’s aim got here moments after Southampton keeper Alex McCarthy had misplaced possession
Southampton supervisor Russell Martin pictured gesturing to his staff’s followers after the match
There was a goal-line clearance by Lewis Corridor from Adam Armstrong’s swipe and the identical participant, taking intention for the highest nook, was quickly denied by an airborne Nick Pope. An Armstrong cross was then deflected into the side-netting when the sensible cash appeared to be on it creeping the opposite aspect.
Joelinton was the gladiator this time and, alongside him in midfield, Geordie Sean Longstaff acted out the frustration of his brethren within the stands by snapping by means of yellow jerseys however at all times avoiding a yellow card. Dan Burn, one other boyhood fan, performed the function of website foreman in entrance of that aforementioned wall.
Come full-time, Newcastle nonetheless had as many crimson playing cards as pictures on aim. However what can’t be measured in numbers is the depth of the fortitude they present in that ultimate hour Saying that, three factors is pretty much as good a measure as any.
