It could’ve been better, it could’ve been worse. It was all square at St. James’ Park in Southampton’s 2015/16 curtain raiser.
Shane Long equalised late on for Saints to snatch a 2-2 draw cancelling out Papiss Cisse and Georginio Wijnaldum’s efforts for the Magpies after Graziano Pelle scored the away side’s first goal of the new campaign.
Steven Davis was vital in the early stages for Southampton, thwarting the home side twice over with blocks; both inside his six-yard box with the ball goal-bound.
Sadio Mane was inches away from winning it twice over in injury time however – Jack Colback sliding in to prevent the Senegalese getting the winner and then Mane sent a left-footed effort centimetres wide
Plenty of new faces were on show for Saints; Maarten Steklenburg and Cedric Soares both started, with Jay Rodriguez also making his first competitive start for 16 months.
We thought Chancel Mbemba’s pre-match attire should be mandatory across the Premier League from now on. Smar-tooning up, Chancel (Sorry!).
