Newcastle 3-2 Southampton: Thrilling battle sees Magpies cling on after finishing with nine men

Frogs in a box are comparatively sane compared to this bonkers contest, which left Southampton boss Ralph Hasenhuttl hopping mad, and with good reason.

His side conceded nine goals at Manchester United on Tuesday and could not even scrape a point against nine men here.

To think they were on cloud nine after beating Newcastle 2-0 to go top of the Premier League during November’s reverse fixture. It was only a month ago they defeated champions Liverpool, too. 

Newcastle took the lead through debutant Joe Willock (middle), on loan from Arsenal

Newcastle took the lead through debutant Joe Willock (middle), on loan from Arsenal

Newcastle made it 2-0 after Jan Bednarek scored a wicked own goal through a deflection

Newcastle made it 2-0 after Jan Bednarek scored a wicked own goal through a deflection

Now, after five straight defeats, the Saints are closer to bottom than top and the cause of their slide has been some unholy defending.

It is the first time in 23 years the club have slumped to such a run of losses and Hasenhuttl, it would appear, is lost for answers.

He assumed it was positive news when Jan Bednarek’s red card from the 9-0 drubbing at Manchester United was overturned. The centre back would have been better off serving a ban. 

Takumi Minamino, on loan from Liverpool, scored on his debut to pull one back for Saints

Takumi Minamino, on loan from Liverpool, scored on his debut to pull one back for Saints

But a Ryan Bertrand (back right) error let Miguel Almiron make it 3-1 just before half-time

But a Ryan Bertrand (back right) error let Miguel Almiron make it 3-1 just before half-time

MATCH RATINGS AND PLAYER RATINGS

Newcastle United (4-2-3-1): Darlow 7; Manquillo 6 (Krafth 24, 6.5), Hayden 7.5, Schar 6.5, Lewis 6.5; Hendrick 4, Shelvey 6.5; Willock 7.5, Almiron 8, Saint-Maximin 7 (Dummett 67, 7); Wilson 6.5 (Joelinton 36, 6.5)

Subs not used: Dubravka, Carroll, Joelinton, Ritchie, Gayle, Fraser, Anderson

Scorers: Willock 16, Bednarek O.G 26, Almiron 45

Bookings: Hendrick, Krafth, Darlow

Sent off: Hendrick

Southampton (4-4-2): McCarthy 4.5; Stephens 5 (N’Lundulu 81), Vestergaard 4.5, Bednarek 4, Bertrand 5.5; Redmond 6, Ward-Prowse 6.5, Romeu 5.5, Minamino 6.5; Adams 6, Ings 5

Subs not used: Forster; Ramsay, Salisu, Finnigan; Chauke, Watts, Tella; Djenepo

Scorers: Minamino 30, Ward-Prowse 48

Bookings: Bednarek

Man of the Match: Almiron  

Referee: Craig Pawson 6 

He was to blame for Newcastle’s first two goals and was lucky to avoid a red card late on for a cynical foul on two-goal Miguel Almiron, although you suspect the hosts were begging for him to remain on the pitch.

By then Newcastle were down to nine men after Jeff Hendrick’s brainless red card early in the second half was followed by an injury to Fabian Schar, after Steve Bruce had used all of his substitutes.

Southampton played half an hour against 10 men and 15 minutes against nine, yet still the score stayed at 3-2 after five goals inside the opening 48 minutes.

It would be wrong to say that Newcastle weathered a storm in the second half. The only storm was the wind and sleet lashing down from the leaden skies above St James’ Park. 

Bruce’s side defended manfully, yes, but the visitors never really looked like rescuing a draw.

Southampton lost three on the spin after their 9-0 defeat by Leicester last term before Hasenhuttl turned it around to save his job and the season.

There is little evidence of a similar salvage act this time and the manager did not attempt to hide his fury with his players.

‘We did not deserve anything and we conceded far too easily – you cannot defend like that in the Premier League,’ he said.

‘When you do, it is impossible to win a game. 

‘We must also create more than two half chances (at 3-2). We know we have to do something better than this. We must find the reset button.’

Bednarek is usually a source of reassurance at the heart of Southampton’s defence. He was a terrifying sight here.

The Pole hopelessly misjudged Schar’s forward ball that led to Newcastle’s opener on 16 minutes. Chickens without heads sprang to mind as he charged to intercept, got nowhere near and allowed Allan Saint-Maximin to invade the penalty area. 

James Ward-Prowse scored a stunning free-kick early in the second half to make it 3-2

James Ward-Prowse scored a stunning free-kick early in the second half to make it 3-2

Jeff Hendrick (middle) leaves the pitch after being sent off for a second yellow card offence

Jeff Hendrick (middle) leaves the pitch after being sent off for a second yellow card offence

The winger – nicknamed ‘Plan A’ by some given Bruce’s reliance on him – kept his head to pick out Arsenal loanee Joe Willock and he rolled in from eight yards for a debut goal.

Ten minutes later and Bednarek may well have been cursing those who quashed his midweek dismissal when his clumsy deflection put Newcastle two ahead from Almiron’s shot.

Takumi Minamino, on loan from Liverpool, scored a fine debut goal to give Saints hope on the half hour, accepting a pass from Ryan Bertrand and using his first touch to take out defender Isaac Hayden before lashing left-footed into the roof of the net.

Southampton were actually in the ascendancy approaching half-time, and that made the concession of a third all the more maddening for Hasenhuttl.

The manager must take some of the blame, for it is his instruction that sees the team dutifully play out from the back. But players surely have to abort such a tactic if they see fit.

Goalkeeper Alex McCarthy’s decision to pass to left-back Bertrand, given the surface water, always looked laced with danger. And so Saints were left with a sinking feeling as Almiron stole the ball and steered into the bottom corner. 

Newcastle were reduced to nine men when Fabian Schar was stretchered off with an injury

Newcastle were reduced to nine men when Fabian Schar was stretchered off with an injury

Within three minutes of the second half Saints were back within one goal. James Ward-Prowse sized a free-kick 25 yards out and duly found the top corner to the surprise of few given his deadball expertise.

What was more of a shock was Hendrick’s brain fade 60 seconds later as, already on a booking, he tugged on the shirt of Minamino as he dashed beyond halfway.

But Southampton’s attempts to draw level were just as witless. The closest they came was a Danny Ings shot that cracked the post on 63 minutes.

Newcastle, though, deserved their victory, only a second in 14 matches to ease their recent troubles.

Bruce said: ‘A mate of mine said it came with a health warning managing here. It summed it up early in the second half. We could have been 4-1 up but within a minute it was 3-2 and we were down to 10 men. That last half hour was awful.’

Not as awful, however, as it was for Hasenhuttl.   

source: dailymail.co.uk