SOU vs NEW
Match Centre

FULL TIME: Southampton 2-0 Newcastle United

WE ARE TOP OF THE LEAGUE! For the first time in the history of the Premier League, Southampton hit the summit! Ralph Hasenhüttl's men achieved it in comprehensive fashion with a dominant victory at St Mary's. Ché Adams struck the opener inside seven minutes from a cross by returning home debutant Theo Walcott, before Stuart Armstrong wrapped up the victory eight minutes from time. A special night!

3️⃣ added minutes...

We're into stoppage time at St Mary's!

Southampton substitution: Shane Long replaces Theo Walcott

Renewed energy in the Saints frontline, as Long replaces Walcott, who has made a positive impression on his return to St Mary's.

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GOALSCORER 17 Stuart Armstrong

ARMSTRONG MAKES IT TWO!

Armstrong wins the ball on the edge of the Newcastle box - symbolic of Saints' high press - shifts the ball on to his left foot and buries a low shot into the bottom corner. A much-deserved second goal!

Walcott denied by last-ditch tackle

A terrific counter-attack from Saints, as Adams feeds Armstrong, who lays the ball off for Walcott. Lascelles comes flying in and it looks like a foul, but Newcastle survive as Walcott is halted in his tracks.

Southampton substitution: Nathan Redmond replaces Moussa Djenepo

It's a straight swap on the left for Saints, as Hasenhüttl makes his first change of the evening.

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Bednarek goes close again

More work for Darlow to do in the Newcastle goal, as Bednarek meets another Ward-Prowse corner with a thumping near-post header, but the keeper is alert to keep the Polish defender at bay.

Saints appeal for a penalty...

Ward-Prowse carries the ball forward and feeds Djenepo to his left, who turns away from Murphy and goes down, but no penalty is forthcoming.

Romeu thwarted by a flying save!

What a strike from Romeu, who looks to have found the top corner from 20 yards, but Darlow somehow gets fingertips to the ball to tip it on to the crossbar. So close again!

Bednarek denied by a goal-line clearance!

Saints are pushing hard for the second goal. Ward-Prowse's corner is headed back across goal by Vestergaard and driven goalwards by Bednarek, but Lascelles is there on the post to head the ball to safety.

Walcott threatening again

Again he drives at the defence from a central position, this time shooting low against a defender, and the ball deflects behind for a corner. Early intent!

We're back under way at St Mary's

The second half is up and running. Keep it up, lads!

HALF-TIME: Southampton 1-0 Newcastle United

That was a very positive half for Southampton, who raced into an early lead through Ché Adams's brilliant volleyed finish from Theo Walcott's cross. Walcott had a golden opportunity to double the lead shortly before half-time, but shot wide as he spurned the chance to score on his second home debut for the club. Newcastle have posed little threat so far, and Saints should be further ahead.

What a chance for Walcott!

It looked for all the world that Walcott was going to celebrate his second home debut with a goal at the end of a flowing Saints move, but his placed shot from the edge of the box goes agonisingly wide.

Saints enjoying plenty of possession

It's been an impressive first half from Saints - the enforced changes to the line-up don't seem to have disrupted the team's rhythm so far. Plenty of controlled possession late in the half, although chances have dried up at both ends.

Tricky footwork from Djenepo

Lovely tight dribbling in the box from the winger, who wins a corner. Ward-Prowse delivers from the right, but Newcastle clear the danger.

Yellow Card for Oriol Romeu (Southampton)

Romeu goes into the book for bringing down Saint-Maximin and halting a Newcastle counter-attack.

Dominant start from Saints 💪

This has been an excellent first 15 minutes from Saints, whose energy is too much for Newcastle so far. The visitors really haven't settled yet.

Walcott shoots wide

Romeu wins the ball authoritatively in midfield, before Walcott seizes on the loose ball and drives at the Newcastle backline. He looks for the curler into the top corner, but his technique lets him down and the ball sails harmlessly wide.

Adams goes close again!

He's full of confidence now, the Southampton no 10, who collects a cross from the right, swivels and shoots low, but it's a simple save for Darlow. That's three shots on target for the striker already, including his brilliantly-taken goal.

GOALSCORER 10 Ché Adams

WHAT A START!

A brilliant opening goal! Adams had only just forced a fine save from Karl Darlow, before Saints kept the attack alive, Walcott crossed and Adams volleyed home a superb finish from 12 yards! Get in!

New role for Stephens

Ralph Hasenhüttl has taken the approach of minimising the disruption to his regular line-up, so Kyle Walker-Peters continues at right-back, with Jack Stephens on the left. Theo Walcott plays up front alongside Ché Adams, with Moussa Djenepo starting on the left flank.

We're up and running!

The action is under way... stay here for all the updates as the action unfolds. Come on you Saints!

Paying our respects...

With kick-off approaching, both sets of players are observing a minute's silence on the edge of the centre circle.

The man for the big occasion!

With 34% of the vote, you voted Theo Walcott as tonight's key man! Let's hope for a homecoming to savour for the returning Saint...

1️⃣5️⃣ minutes to go...

The stage is set! A beautiful sight, only missing the sound of 30,000 Saints fans to roar the lads on...

🔴 3️⃣-1️⃣ ⚫️

Saints' last win over Newcastle came back in April 2016, with goals from Shane Long, Graziano Pellè and Victor Wanyama securing a 3-1 success. Well done to the 41% of voters who correctly identified Ronald Koeman as the last Saints manager to triumph against the Magpies!

i know that they (the players) know it, but i think it's better to focus a little bit more on the things that can help us to get there. i don't like this message 'what happens if we...' - let us do it first."

ralph hasenhüttl

on the chance to go top

Happy homecoming 🏡

Last time Saints were in action at St Mary's, an impressive display defeated the team on top of the Premier League. Tonight, it's Ralph Hasenhüttl's side with the chance to take top spot...

SOUTHAMPTON TEAM CONFIRMED 😇

Starting XI: McCarthy, Stephens, Bednarek, Vestergaard, Walker-Peters, Armstrong, Ward-Prowse, Romeu, Djenepo, Walcott, Adams.

Lots of support for this guy! 🙌

With 54% of the vote, Theo Walcott is YOUR pick to start alongside Ché Adams tonight, in the absence of Danny Ings. We'll have Saints' confirmed starting XI very soon...

GOAL OF THE GAME WINNER 🏆

Our first poll of the day has drawn to a close, and 48% of you voted James Ward-Prowse's second free-kick at Villa Park as the goal of the game! Check out this old-school video of JWP showing us how it's done!

A second home debut for Theo?

Theo Walcott could be in line to make his second home debut in a Southampton shirt tonight, 15 years since his first. Check out our feature-length interview with the returning Saint, or read the article here. 

1️⃣ hour until team news! ⏳

By his own admission, Ralph Hasenhüttl has some key decisions to make this evening. We'll bring you both team line-ups at 7pm GMT!

Your comprehensive guide 📝

Check out our Match Pack, containing everything you need to know ahead of tonight's game! 

Transformation complete! 📈

Also in the running for an individual award is Ché Adams, whose two goals and one assist in October have seen him nominated for the Premier League Player of the Month prize!

Congrats, boss! 🎉

Ralph Hasenhüttl has been named on a five-man shortlist to be crowned Premier League Manager of the Month for October! Saints took seven points from their three matches, recording wins over West Brom and Everton either side of a thrilling comeback to rescue a draw at Chelsea.

1️⃣4️⃣ wins on the road! 🛣

With 14 away wins at the helm, Ralph Hasenhüttl has tied the record for the most victories on the road of any Southampton manager in the Premier League era! Enjoy some fond memories here...

Picking up where we left off 🙌

It was an eventful day last time out, as Saints stormed into a 4-0 lead at Villa Park, eventually running out 4-3 victors after a late revival from the hosts. Remind yourself of the goals here!

we are very calm, we have good game management and we are definitely finding the different levels between the lines much better now, with much more patience. this patience we will definitely need against a good, organised team."

ralph hasenhüttl 

southampton manager

Hear from the boss 🎙

We caught up with Ralph Hasenhüttl to discuss selection headaches, Saints' impressive upturn and the prospect of hitting the Premier League summit...

Enforced changes incoming...

Ralph Hasenhüttl has been updating Saints supporters this week on all the latest injury news, after ever-present trio Jan Bednarek, Ryan Bertrand and Danny Ings were all forced off in Sunday's 4-3 win at Aston Villa. Check out the key team news here.

💡 FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS 💡

We're back! After four wins in five, Southampton know one more victory tonight would see them hit top spot - at least temporarily - in the Premier League. Newcastle United are the visitors to St Mary's and have proved stubborn opponents in recent seasons. Stay with us for all the build-up, team news and live match updates on a BIG night of action under the lights!