Shane Long was the hero for Southampton at St. James’ Park, as the Saints grinded out a 2-2 draw against Newcastle on the opening Sunday of the Premier League season.
Long equalised late on for the visitors after goals either side of half time from Papiss Cisse and Georginio Wijnaldum put Newcastle in front after Graziano Pelle’s headed opener.
Erwin Koeman was in temporary charge of the Saints after brother Ronald was injured in training on Wednesday. The Dutchman would’ve been pleased with his side’s commitment and energy right to the death, especially after their Europa League outing on Thursday.
It was a high temp0 start to the affair with both teams out of the blocks quickly; Saints pressing Newcastle high up the pitch and the Magpies having to be fast to get round the away side.
The first clear-cut chance fell to the Toon’s new signing, Georgino Wijnaldum who had his almost certainly goal-bound effort blocked by Steven Davis.
It was Saints, however, that took the lead in the 24th minute. Sadio Mane played the ball out wide to Premier League debutant Cedric who’s looping cross found Pelle; his powerful header was too much for Tim Krul in the Newcastle goal.
Cedric was in the thick of the action again shortly after as he was played through by Dusan Tadic; the 21 year-old got his shot in from a tight angle but Krul saved well to scupper the adventurous full-back.
Newcastle began to dominate after this, as the visitors looked more and more shaky as the half went on. Fabricio Coloccini had an effort blocked on the line, again by Steven Davis, as Newcastle threatened particularly from set pieces.
And it was from a set piece that Newcastle got the equaliser – taken short and whipped in by Vernon Anita, the ball deflected off Sadio Mane, evaded Maarten Steklenburg and Papiss Cisse was on hand to bundle home just three minutes before half-time.
Southampton nearly went straight back in front straight after the restart; Steven Davis curled the ball in and Yoshida headed goalwards but his effort was somehow saved by Tim Krul’s trailing leg.
The Japanese centre-half was made to rue his miss instantly. Newcastle went straight up the other end and Wijnaldum latched onto a cross from the Magpies’ right and powered his header past Steklenburg to grab a debut goal.
Saints got on top after this; the introduction of Shane Long brought some new life into the visitor’s attack and the Irishman grabbed the equaliser shortly after coming on – netting the third headed goal of the game after outjumping Daryl Janmaat at the back post.
Sadio Mane could even have grabbed an unlikely win at the death for Southampton – the Senegalese had two guilt-edged chances in stoppage time to win it. His first effort was brilliant blocked by Jack Colback – who was brilliant all afternoon for his side.
Then, with a minute to play, Mane, running powerfully at the Newcastle defence, beat Coloccini but managed to place his shot centimetres wide of the far post.
