Newcastle United started their 2024-25 Premier League campaign with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over newly-promoted Southampton at St. James' Park, despite a red card for Fabian Schar in the first half.
Southampton dominated possession and created numerous chances throughout the match, but Newcastle's resolute defense held firm. The game took a dramatic turn when Schar was shown a red card for a headbutt on Ben Brereton Diaz. Despite being down to ten men, Newcastle took the lead just before halftime through a well-taken goal from Joelinton.
The goal was a result of a poor pass from Southampton goalkeeper Alex McCarthy, who was intercepted by Alexander Isak, who squared the ball to Joelinton for a simple finish. The Magpies held on for the win, highlighting their defensive mettle and earning their fourth consecutive opening day victory.
The Red Card and the Aftermath
The incident that led to the red card happened just before the half-hour mark. Schar, visibly frustrated after being shoved by Brereton Diaz, retaliated with a headbutt. The incident was caught by the VAR and the referee Craig Pawson had no choice but to send Schar off. This left Newcastle with a daunting task of defending their lead for the rest of the match.
Newcastle's Defense Holds Firm
Despite being down a man, Newcastle remained organized and defended resolutely. The Magpies' defense was a testament to the work done by manager Eddie Howe in pre-season. Newcastle's defense, while conceding 33 goals in Howe's first full season in charge and almost twice that number last season, showed signs of returning to form.
Southampton's Missed Opportunities
Southampton, meanwhile, will be left to rue their missed opportunities. They had 19 shots and an xG of 1.79 but failed to find the back of the net. Adam Armstrong, last season's 21-goal scorer for Southampton, had two great chances in the second half. First, he pulled a fine save from Newcastle goalkeeper Nick Pope and then saw Lewis Hall clear another goal-bound effort off the line.
A Promising Start for Southampton
Despite the defeat, Southampton's return to the Premier League was a promising one. They showed they could compete with a strong Newcastle side, even with a man advantage for most of the match. Their performance gives them hope for the future, particularly with the arrival of Ben Brereton Diaz and Cameron Archer.
The Managers' Reactions
Speaking to Sky Sports after the match, Eddie Howe praised his team's defensive performance, saying, “It was different. It wasn't the game we wanted it to be, but with the sending off, it's how we had to make the game. We had to defend well with 10 men, defend a lot of space. It's a big compliment to the players for how we had to win.” He acknowledged the red card was harsh, but the team regrouped mentally and produced a fantastic defensive display.
Southampton manager Russell Martin, while disappointed with the result, was encouraged by his side’s performance. He emphasized the need for goals to ensure success in the Premier League.
Looking Ahead
Newcastle will look to build on their opening day victory when they face Bournemouth next Sunday. Southampton, on the other hand, will be eager to earn their first point of the season when they host Nottingham Forest on Saturday. The Saints' challenge of staying in the Premier League will be a daunting one, but the team showed enough promise against Newcastle to suggest they will be a tough opponent for anyone.
