Southampton and Newcastle United met in their Premier League at St Mary's Stadium on Saturday.
Ronald Koeman's side were looking to build on their victory over West Ham United, while the Magpies were still searching for their first win of the campaign.
The Saints cantered to a comfortable 4-0 win over Alan Pardew's side to increase the pressure on the Newcastle boss, as a brace from Graziano Pelle in the first 20 minutes along with strikes from Jack Cork and Morgan Schneiderlin handed the home side the victory.
Read how all the action unfolded in our commentary below.
Good afternoon and welcome to the live commentary of the Premier League clash between Southampton and Newcastle United.
The Premier League returns after a week absence due to the international break, and both sides will be looking to kick on in their respective campaigns following differing fortunes at the start of the year.
Ronald Koeman registered his first win as Saints boss in the top flight last time out when his side defeated West Ham United 3-1 at Upton Park. Morgan Schneiderlin scored twice in that game to hand the Saints the win, which would have pleased Koeman greatly as the Dutchman went to great lengths to keep the midfielder at the club. Southampton will now be looking to push on against the Magpies.
Alan Pardew's side are yet to record a win in the Premier League this season as they have drawn two of their matches so far and lost once to Manchester City on the opening day. Newcastle invested heavily in the summer, but their signings haven't hit the ground running as Remy Cabella and Emmanuel Riviere have struggled for form, while Siem de Jong has been ruled out of action for four months. Pressure is building on Pardew and he needs a positive result this afternoon.
The team news has been announced and we'll start with the home side.
SOUTHAMPTON STARTING XI: Forster, Clyne, Fonte, Alderweireld, Bertrand, Cork, Schneiderlin, S. Davis, Tadic, Long, Pelle.
SOUTHAMPTON SUBS: K. Davis, Yoshida, Gardos, Wanyama, Ward-Prowse, Mayuka, McQueen.
NEWCASTLE STARTING XI: Krul, Janmaat, Coloccini, Williamson, Haidara, Colback, Anita, Cabella, Sissoko, Gouffran, Riviere.
NEWCASTLE SUBS: Elliot, S.Taylor, Tiote, Obertan, Ameobi, Armstrong, Perez.
Koeman has made two changes to his side that defeated West Ham 3-1 last time out as new signing Toby Alderweireld comes into the team to replace Maya Yoshida, while Jack Cork replaces James Ward-Prowse. Graziano Pelle and Shane Long continue to lead the line in attack, supported by Dusan Tadic in an expected 4-3-3 formation.
Newcastle make one change to their lineup from their 3-3 draw with Crystal Palace last time out. It is an enforced changed as De Jong's injury keeps him out of the team and will do for the forseeable future, so he is replaced by Vurnon Anita. Moussa Sissoko will push further upfield and Anita will slot next to Jack Colback in a deep-lying role.
Before the game, Koeman highlighted Newcastle's poor start to the campaign and feels that his side's opponents today are under more pressure than they are this afternoon. He told reporters: "Newcastle have not had a good start to the season. Maybe there is a little bit more pressure on them to win but I like to see more what my team has to do to win against them."
Alan Pardew meanwhile has brushed off criticism and has insisted that his side have played well this season, despite their failure to register a victory. He told reporters: "I am afraid it is part and parcel of the Premier League. We have not won a game yet.
"The pressure is on because we were not good enough towards the end of last year but in the short term of this year I think we have played well. I know on the training ground we are working very hard."
Here at Sports Mole towers, some of our reporters have been discussing this afternoon's clash at St Mary's Stadium. Check out what they think is going to happen by watching our video below.
In this fixture last season the Saints ran out 4-0 victors, but none of the goalscorers on that day feature for Koeman's side this afternoon. Adam Lallana and Rickie Lambert notched a goal each and are now at Liverpool, while Jay Rodriguez scored a brace and is still recovering from an ACL injury.
Southampton's players are preparing for action as we approach kickoff this afternoon.
#SaintsFC players prepare on the pitch https://t.co/JPRNFvNml8
— Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) September 13, 2014
Saints defender Toby Alderweireld shows his class with the ball as he readies himself for his Premier League debut at St Mary's Stadium.
VINE: A composed chip from #SaintsFC's @AlderweireldTob https://t.co/MK1TbbwSjv
— Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) September 13, 2014
STAT ATTACK! Not good news for Newcastle fans I'm afraid as the Magpies have conceded in all 14 of their trips to Southampton in the Premier League. The Saints boast an impressive record against Newcastle, having lost just one of their last 21 home matches against them.
The players are making their way out onto the pitch and we should be underway shortly.
The pre-match handshakes have taken place and we're ready for kickoff at St Mary's Stadium.
VINE: Handshakes done. Here we go! #saintsfc https://t.co/NMzZxFiyKS
— Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) September 13, 2014
We're underway in this Premier League clash.
CHANCE! Southampton almost take the lead within 20 seconds as Coloccini plays an awful backpass to Krul and Long chases the ball down. The Dutchman gets to the ball first but his clearance clatters off Long but goes just wide of the post. What a let off for the visitors.
The home side continue to press as they win a corner down the left. Newcastle manage to get the ball clear but only as far as Tadic, and he crosses low into the box, but Williamson is there to hack the danger clear.
PENALTY SHOUT! A long ball over the top of the Newcastle defence has the visitors in trouble. Long looks to get there first and is bundled over by Krul in the box. The crowd want a penalty but the referee waves play on, but it did look like a spot kick for the home side.
GOAL! Southampton 1-0 Newcastle (Pelle)
Southampton take the lead and that was coming! The Saints manage to get in down the left as Tadic releases the run of Bertrand, who lifts a cross to the back post. The ball reaches Pelle at the back post and he gets above Coloccini to nod the ball past Krul.
Pelle tries his luck from distance as the visitors leave him unmarked and provide the striker with space and time. His effort is on target but Krul manages to make the stop. The Newcastle goal is under siege at the moment.
Newcastle can't get anything going forward at the moment despite some good play from Colback as he robs Clyne of the ball. The Magpies retain possession before the ball goes back to Williamson, who launches a long ball forward and Forster can collect the ball with ease.
Tadic is having an excellent start to the game as he raids past Janmaat again. He looks up and tries to pick out Pelle in the box, and he succeeds in finding his target. Unfortunately the striker is offside as he launches a pot shot at goal from the edge of the area.
Newcastle get a chance to threaten as Gouffran is hauled down by Davis in the centre circle. Colback lofts a ball deep into the box from the resulting free kick, but Williamson can only nod the ball behind as he tried to head the ball into the middle. Not a good start from the visitors.
GOAL! Southampton 2-0 Newcastle (Pelle)
Terrible defending from Newcastle as they gift a second goal to the Saints and Pelle. A long ball from the back wasn't dealt with by Williamson as he nodded the ball straight into the path of Pelle. The striker exchanged passes with Tadic and the midfielder put the ball on a plate for the Italian to poke home from six yards out.
Alan Pardew is being jeered from around the ground by the Southampton supporters and his own fans, who are calling for him to be sacked.
A pass from Davis dissects the Newcastle backline again and they luck to the linesman in hope more than anything else as Long breaks away. On this occasion the flag does go up, but the defending at the moment from the Magpies is abject.
CHANCE! Newcastle should be level as Haidara raids down the flank and hits a low cross into the box. His cross deflects into the path of Sissoko six yards from goal and the midfielder blasts an effort towards the net, but Forster makes an excellent save to keep the ball out. An incredible reaction stop from the keeper.
CHANCE! Newcastle threaten again this time down the right. Janmaat and Cabella exchange passes before the Dutchman plays the ball inside to Colback. The midfielder takes a touch to get the ball out of his feet and then drills a low shot at goal, but Forster makes the save.
Southampton are looking to take the pace out of the game at the moment and settle after a brief spell of pressure from Newcastle. They're passing the ball around the middle of the park with an easy tempo to try to find their attacking rhythm again.
Koeman's side show their burst again with a nice build-up from the back before Long breaks down the right. The forward whips a dangerous cross to the near post, but Pelle just can't get there in time and Newcastle can clear for now.
Newcastle are trying to get into the game but the home side are pressing them in possession and making life extremely difficult. The Magpies do advance to the edge of the Southampton box, but a pass from Haidara looking for the run of Sissoko in the inside left channel goes out for a goal kick.
Southampton may need to be a bit careful as we approach the end of the first half. They dominated the opening 20 minutes but have just let their standards slip in the past 10 minutes or so and that has allowed Newcastle to get a foothold in the game. A goal for the Magpies would change everything.
Pardew's side have edged possession in the past 10 minutes but have failed to do much with the ball in the final third of the pitch. Remy Cabella has been particularly wasteful as he has not looked in form in the first half of this game.
CHANCE! Newcastle go close as Gouffran finds space on the edge of the area and cuts back onto his left foot. The Frenchman's shot take a deflection and spins away from Forster, but luckily for the Saints goes just wide of the post.
YELLOW CARD: Colback goes into the book as he brings down Long as he tries to raid upfield.
There will be two minutes of added time.
HALF-TIME: Southampton 2-0 Newcastle
Southampton lead at the break thanks to an opening 20-minute salvo from Graziano Pelle. The Italian took advantage of weak defending from the Magpies to fire his side in front and the home team have looked comfortable since then, despite not being at their free-flowing best.
The pressure on Alan Pardew is building and won't be any better after that display in the first half. Newcastle were all over the place at the back and duly conceded twice in the first 20 minutes. They improved slightly as the half wore on, but that didn't stop the travelling supporters calling for the manager to be sacked. A big 45 minutes for Pardew and his men in the second half.
Koeman will be pleased with his team for their performance in the opening 20 minutes, but after that they stepped off the gas and allowed Newcastle to settle. The Dutchman may be slightly uneasy with a two-goal lead as Newcastle did string together a couple of chances, but if his side can get a third goal it should be game over.
SUBSTITUTIONS: Wanyama replaces Long for the home side, while Tiote comes on for Anita for Newcastle.
We're back underway at St Mary's Stadium.
CHANCE! Colback gives the ball away in a dangerous area of the pitch and Pelle breaks away. His cross is deflected into the path of Tadic, who twists and turns past his marker, but his powerful shot is well held by Krul.
Haidara manages to coast past Davis down the right and he whips a cross to the near post, but he and Riviere aren't on the same wavelength and the ball goes behind for a goal kick.
Southampton break upfield and Pelle tries to release the run of Wanyama as the midfielder breaks into the box. The pass is just in front of Wanyama and he can't make decent contact with his shot and Krul manages to gather the ball.
GOAL! Southampton 3-0 Newcastle (Cork)
Southampton get their third goal as Davis pokes a through ball down the middle, and Cork shows great determination to beat Williamson to the ball and round Krul, leaving him with a simple finish. That should seal the win for the home side.
YELLOW CARD: Tiote goes into the book for pulling back Cork.
The Saints threaten again with pace down the flank. Tadic gets the ball down the left and hits a first-time cross for the run of Pelle to the near post, but the striker can't make contact and Krul is able to gather the loose ball.
Southampton are knocking the ball around with ease and are nearly in again as Davis raids to the edge of the box. The midfielder tries to thread a pass through for Pelle, but Coloccini gets just enough of the ball to knock it away from the striker.
SUBSTITUTION: Ward-Prowse replaces Tadic for the home side.
SUBSTITUTION: Cabella goes off for the visitors and is replaced by Perez.
The tempo of the game has dropped as the Saints are quite content to knock the ball around at the back and see the game out with a comfortable 3-0 win. Newcastle have offered nothing in the second half going forward.
Bertrand is nearly away over the top as he chases a long ball, but as he tries to bring the ball under control in the final third of the pitch Sissoko manages to get back at him and win the ball. A crucial intervention by the Frenchman.
CHANCE! Pelle goes close to his hat-trick as he latches onto Ward-Prowse's corner at the near post. The Italian gets above Williamson and directs his header at goal but Haidara makes the block and clears the danger.
CHANCE! Newcastle should have a consolation goal but Riviere somehow misses the target from six yards out when presented with an open goal. Haidara raided down the flank and crossed into the box, Forster came for the ball and missed it, and Sissoko teed up the striker. Riviere took a touch to get the ball out of his feet but blasted the ball wide.
SAVE! Forster makes a great save to deny Gouffran as his effort looks to be creeping into the net after latching onto a corner at the back post. However, the keeper manages to stick out a hand and turns the ball over the bar.
Newcastle threaten again as Haidara fires a low cross into the box and the ball falls to Ayoze on the edge of the area and his effort has to be deflected over the bar. From the resulting corner, the Magpies give away a foul and that allows the home side to clear the danger.
Pelle holds the ball up and the Saints come forward in numbers. The Italian feeds the run of Davis, who then tries an ambitious effort from a tight angle to beat Krul, but his shot goes wide of the target.
SUBSTITUTIONS: Cork is replaced by Gardos with three minutes to play, while Sissoko goes off for the Magpies for Sammy Ameobi.
There will be three minutes of added time.
GOAL! Southampton 4-0 Newcastle (Schneiderlin)
Southampton seal an emphatic win at St Mary's Stadium as the ball comes to Schneiderlin on the edge of the box and he curls an effort over Krul into the top corner with a delightful finish. A superb goal to round off an excellent performance from the home side, and matters get even worse for Newcastle.
FULL-TIME: Southampton 4-0 Newcastle United
Southampton put in a convincing 4-0 win as they begin to find their form under Koeman. They were clinical when they needed to be and put Newcastle to the sword with four well-taken goals. Pelle put in an excellent display while Cork and Schneiderlin also found the net with neat finishes. The Saints are looking like a quality unit and don't seem to be too deterred by their losses in the summer.
Pardew could be on the brink as Newcastle boss after this performance. They were under the cosh from the first 30 seconds of the game and were an absolute shambles at the back. The Magpies never seemed comfortable and didn't work as a team throughout the game and deserved to lose 4-0 and it could have been worse. The fans were calling for the manager to be sacked and it will be interesting to see what Mike Ashley does this week.
Thanks for joining our live commentary this afternoon. Be sure to stick with Sports Mole for our continued coverage of all the action from the world of football throughout the afternoon and evening. But, it's goodbye from me.
Written by
Simon Sinclair
Simon Sinclair
