Manolo Gabbiadini’s brace ensured that Southampton didn’t suffer an embarrassing home defeat at the hands of Rafael Benitez’s Newcastle side.
Mauricio Pellegrino made one change to the side that suffered a late defeat against Stoke City prior to the International break. Steven Davis made way for Manolo Gabbiadini, as it seemed Pellegrino was testing a two-up-front formation.
Meanwhile, Rafael Benitez made two changes to the side that picked up an impressive point against Liverpool. Florian Lejeune and Isaac Hayden in for Ciaran Clark and Mikel Merino.
The first 15 minutes was very tactical from Newcastle, allowing Southampton to have possession in the deeper areas of the pitch, but as soon as the ball entered a threatening phase, they would press. Yet, the first chance for Saints came from a Nathan Redmond cross, which was met by Dusan Tadic, who attempted to lob Rob Elliot, but the ball went narrowly over. It would’ve been a better option if he had squared the ball to Shane Long who was open for a tap-in.
Southampton were made to regret that miss only three minutes later. Christian Atsu’s initial shot was blocked by Maya Yoshida, but Fraser Forster had already dived to his right. As he was getting back into position, Hayden’s powerful shot was blasted to Forster’s right, but the England international couldn’t make it in time to save the shot and Newcastle had a shock lead and fans were becoming frustrated.
Virgil van Dijk was making his first appearance at St Mary’s since his injury against Leicester in January but more significantly since his transfer embargo during the summer. He nearly found the equaliser from a corner, finding his way near-post and beating Elliot, who was in no-man’s land, but the ball went just-wide.
Every game seems to have gone the same way for Southampton, dominating possession in the midfield, but a lack of creativity means a lack of chances which means no goals.
Proceedings could’ve gone from bad to worse instantly for the Saints after the break after Joselu managed to make contact with Ayoze Perez’s cross which looped over Forster and hit the crossbar.
Saints needed a player to step up, and that man was Manolo Gabbiadini, bringing down Redmond’s cross-field ball, he held off Manquillo and made his way further into the centre of the box and beating Elliot at his near post. A sensational solo goal from the Italian.
But… just as you thought Southampton were back in the game, they found themselves 2-1 down, 90 seconds later. Perez had a first shot saved by Forster, but the ball found its way back to Perez who somehow managed to beat Forster at the near post from the tightest of angles.
Forster has been questioned many times this season, but with a lack of depth and quality, it seems that Forster will remain between the sticks unless there is some investment in January.
Newcastle should’ve been down to 10 men after DeAndre Yedlin went in on Redmond, whilst on a yellow and made barely any contact with the ball, yet Kevin Friend deemed the challenge not worthy of a yellow, which seemed like complete madness.
Shane Long isn’t finding the net at the moment, but his work rate is admirable and his efforts were rewarded after Saints were awarded a penalty as Long was brought down by Lejeune. Gabbiadini stepped up and converted a fantastic penalty beyond Elliot.
Lejeune nearly redeemed himself as his goal-bound header from a Newcastle corner was saved off the line by Saints substitute Steven Davis.
A draw seemed a fair result at the end of the game, but Saints fans will still be disappointed.
Next up for Saints is West Bromwich Albion at St Mary’s for Saturday’s late kick-off.
