Newcastle 1-0 Southampton
by Roger Domeneghetti
at St James’ Park

THIS was not a game for the ages, but it is one in which, even at this early stage, both teams laid down a marker. St James’ Park will once again be a formidable venue, Newcastle a team that will be hard to beat. Southampton are not here to make up the numbers.

Perhaps surprisingly, the visitors dominated the early knockings. They were sharp, first to the ball, moving smoothly like a well-oiled machine and they had the ball in the net early on, only for Jack Stephens to be quickly flagged offside. By contrast Newcastle looked sluggish, the home crowd uncharacteristically quiet.