Newcastle United kicked off their new Premier League campaign with a game against Southampton at St. James’ Park on Saturday afternoon.
The Magpies will be aiming to do better than last season and at least challenge for the top four.
Eddie Howe’s side ended up seventh in the Premier League table last season and could not make a huge impact in the UEFA Champions League either.
A lot of Newcastle’s issues last season were injuries to players such as Nick Pope and Joelinton, and also star midfielder Sandro Tonali was banned.
As for Southampton, the Saints are back in the Premier League this season after winning promotion from the Championship at the end of the last campaign via the playoffs.
As expected, Newcastle won the match, but it was hard for the home team.
The Magpies went down to 10 men on 28 minutes when Fabian Schar was shown a straight red card.
Newcastle took the lead in the 45th minute through Joelinton and denied Southampton the chance to score in the second period.
We did a live coverage of the match, and you can re-live it below.
GOODBYE
And now we will bring an end to our live coverage. Hope you enjoyed it. Have a good evening.
FULL TIME: Newcastle United 1-0 Southampton – reaction
Eddie Howe does not think that Fabian Schar should have been sent off.
Howe said: “The big question is do you want a red card for that. Does Fabi’s action alone warrant a red card? I’m not sure.”
[Link]FULL TIME: Newcastle United 1-0 Southampton – reaction
Eddie Howe has praised Bruno Guimaraes for his performance against Southampton.
Howe said: “Defensively he covered every blade of grass. He was immense today.”
FULL TIME: Newcastle United 1-0 Southampton – reaction
Joelinton scored the only goal of the match, and the Newcastle star has made it clear that he wants to find the back of the net more regularly this campaign.
He said; ““Last season was very difficult for me with injuries. I had a great holiday and I’ve come back fresh. I worked hard in pre-season and I’m ready. I’m very happy to get the goal and help the team get three points.
“I love to score goals and want to score more goals this season, but the most important thing is to help the team, whether it’s with goals, assists or runs back.”
FULL TIME: Newcastle United 1-0 Southampton
Newcastle United were down to 10 men early on, but we have to praise Eddie Howe’s side for getting the win.
Southampton did have chances and were very good on the ball when they had it, but despite having a one-man advantage, the Saints could not score.
Some would say that the Saints were the better team, but kudos to Newcastle for eking out a win with 10 men.
[Link]FULL TIME: Newcastle United 1-0 Southampton
It’s all over at St. James’ Park now. Newcastle United have won 1-0 against Southampton.
SECOND HALF: Newcastle United 1-0 Southampton
Southampton are getting half-chances, but Newcastle are still the better of the two teams.
Taylor Harwood-Bellis’s long-range effort took a huge deflection off Dan Burn and went wide.
Adam Armstrong’s shot was blocked by Tino Livramento with his knee.
[Link]SECOND HALF: Newcastle United 1-0 Southampton
Changes for both sides at St. James’ Park.
Lloyd Kelly and Harvey Barnes have come on for Newcastle. Anthony Gordon and Lewis Hall have been replaced.
As for Southampton, Ben Brereton Diaz has gone off to a chorus of Newcastle boos. Joe Aribo has also been taken off.
Tyler Dibling and Cameron Archer have come on for the Saints.
[Link]SECOND HALF: Newcastle United 1-0 Southampton
Southampton are behind, but they are not giving up on getting an equaliser.
The Saints are getting the ball a lot and are asking questions of the Newcastle defence.
Will Smallbone and Adam Armstrong have had shots blocked, and Flynn Downes and Joe Aribo have also tried their luck.
[Link]SECOND HALF: Newcastle United 1-0 Southampton
Newcastle have been the better of the two teams in the early stages of the second half.
Lewis Hall tried an effort from 25 yards, but he is not on target.
[Link]SECOND HALF: Newcastle United 1-0 Southampton
The second half of the Premier League match between Newcastle and Southampton at St. James’ Park has just kicked off.
[Link]HALF TIME: Newcastle United 1-0 Southampton
BBC Sport are reporting that Newcastle defender Dan Burn was waiting in the tunnel for Ben Brereton Diaz at half-time.
I do not think that there was any need for Burn to do that. There is nothing he can do about Schar’s controversial decision.
[Link]HALF TIME: Newcastle United 1-0 Southampton
Some interesting stats. Newcastle striker Alexander Isak had only six touches in the first half.
As for Emil Krafth, the defender touched the ball only once since coming on after half an hour.
HALF TIME: Newcastle United 1-0 Southampton
It is half time at St. James’ Park at the moment, and it is Newcastle who are in the lead. And deservedly so.
[Link]FIRST HALF LIVE: Newcastle United 1-0 Southampton – home side ahead
Newcastle may be down to 10 men, but the Magpies have taken the lead against Southampton.
Southampton goalkeeper Alex McCarthy made a big mistake by playing the ball Alexander Isak on the side of the box.
The Sweden international forward played the ball across to Joelinton in the centre, and he scored.
FIRST HALF LIVE: Newcastle United 0-0 Southampton
Schar’s controversial dismissal forced Howe into making a change that I don’t think he would have made.
Krafth has come on for Murphy.
[Link]Mike Dean reacts to Fabian Schar dismissal
Former Premier League referee Mike Dean is on Sky Sports News at the moment.
Dean has given his verdict on the controversial dismissal of Schar.
While the former referee believes that the red card had to be given, he has slammed Diaz for overreacting.
Dean said on Sky Sports News: “There is a slight movement to the head by Schar, but Brereton Diaz has overreacted a little bit, but you can’t do, you can’t move your head. It’s really, really soft. Diaz has got to be better than that, he has got to be better than that.”
FIRST HALF LIVE: Newcastle United 0-0 Southampton – RED CARD
Newcastle are down to 10 men now. Fabian Schar has been sent off!
Ben Brereton Diaz barged over Fabian Schar from behind. The Newcastle star put his head towards the Southampton striker and was sent off.
[Link]FIRST HALF LIVE: Newcastle United 0-0 Southampton
It has not been the most exciting of matches so far, but Newcastle could have scored a goal.
Isak has been deemed offside as he ran onto a through-ball. His shot was blocked anyway.
[Link]FIRST HALF LIVE: Newcastle United 0-0 Southampton
Disallowed goal for Southampton!
The Saints have the ball in the back of the net but the offside flag goes up.
Jack Stephens is clearly off when he knocks Will Smallbone’s off-target shot into an empty net from just yards out.
[Link]FIRST HALF LIVE: Newcastle United 0-0 Southampton
The first booking of the match is for Newcastle defender Lewis Hall.
Hall is penalised for committing a foul on Yukinari Sugawara on the wing.
[Link]FIRST HALF LIVE: Newcastle United 0-0 Southampton
Newcastle have started on the front foot and have been the better team in the opening minutes of the game.
Southampton, though, are showing signs that they will not be easy pushovers. The Saints are playing out from the back.
[Link]Kick off: Newcastle 0-0 Southampton
The match between Newcastle and Southampton at St. James’ Park has just kicked off.
[Link]Newcastle vs Southampton build-up – Prediction time
I am backing Newcastle to win today. I do not think that it will be easy for the Magpies, though.
Southampton will be determined to make an immediate impact on their return to the Premier League, but Newcastle are at home and have the better team.
Newcastle vs Southampton build-up – Kick off in 15 minutes
We are nearly there. Just 15 minutes later, Newcastle will kick off their Premier League campaign.
[Link]Newcastle vs Southampton build-up – Players warming up
Newcastle are about to start their warm-up. Bruno is leading the team.
Newcastle vs Southampton build-up – Kick off getting closer
We are edging close to kick-off now. In around 35 minutes, the first Premier League game of the season at St. James’ Park will begin.
[Link]Newcastle vs Southampton build-up – Home team look happy and excited
The Newcastle players are in the stadium now, and they are looking forward to the opening game of the new Premier League game.
Newcastle vs Southampton build-up – Strong lineup
Just as we predicted and expected, Newcastle will field a very strong team.
Isak will lead the line for the Magpies. Gordon will be a threat in attack, while Joelinton and Bruno will be massive players in midfield.
Confirmed Southampton XI vs Newcastle United
Southampton manager Russell Martin has named his team, as you can see below.
Confirmed Newcastle United XI vs Southampton
Newcastle manager Eddie Howe has now named his starting lineup.
As you can see, Nick Pope, Joelinton, Anthony Gordon and Dan Burn all start.
What Alan Shearer has predicted about Newcastle
Newcastle missed out on a place in the top four last season, but club legend Alan Shearer expects the Magpies to at least challenge for the UEFA Champions League places.
Shearer wrote on BBC Sport: “I feel like last season’s top three will be the same this time, although not necessarily in the same order. After that, there are going to be four or five teams challenging for fourth place.
“I am pretty confident Newcastle will be one of them, although the dream is still for them to win a trophy. It’s the same as every year, really, in that I’d love to see them go deep in a domestic cup… and finally win one.”
Busy pre-season schedule for Newcastle
Newcastle have been very busy in recent weeks. Eddie Howe’s side went to Australia to play Tottenham Hotspur just after the last campaign ended. The Magpies also took on the A-League All Stars.
In the build-up to the new Premier League campaign, the Magpies played against Hull City, Urawa Reds, Yokohoma F. Marinos, Giron and Brest.
[Link]How to watch Newcastle vs Southampton
Unfortunately, for the Newcastle fans, the match is not being shown live on TV. After all, it is a 3pm kickoff today.
However, Newcastle fans can still follow the match live. BBC Radio Newcastle will have full radio commentary from St. James’ Park, and so will talkSPORT 2.
[Link]Predicted Newcastle United line-up vs Southampton
While we wait for the confirmed team news from St. James’ Park, let us take a look at how Newcastle could line up against the Saints.
We expect Anthony Gordon to start against the Saints, and we also think that Alexander Isak will lead the line for the Magpies.
Joe Willock is back after injury, but we do not think that Eddie Howe will include him in the team this afternoon.
Predicted Newcastle United XI vs Southampton: Pope; Livramento, Schar, Burn, Hall; Longstaff, Bruno, Joelinton; Murphy, Isak, Gordon.
Newcastle vs Southampton build-up
The match between Newcastle and Southampton will kick off at 3 pm. It will be held at St. James’ Park.
We will have confirmed lineups from the match at 1:45 pm.
[Link]Welcome to Newcastle United vs Southampton LIVE blog
Hello and welcome to our live coverage of the Premier League game between Newcastle United and Southampton this afternoon.
I am Subhankar Mondal, and I will be taking you through the match this afternoon.
It promises to be a very good game, and I expect Newcastle to win it.
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