Southampton 2-2 Newcastle United: Three Key Players

SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 15: Steven Davis of Southampton (8) clears the ball from his own goal line during the Premier League match between Southampton and Newcastle United at St Mary's Stadium on October 15, 2017 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)
SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 15: Steven Davis of Southampton (8) clears the ball from his own goal line during the Premier League match between Southampton and Newcastle United at St Mary's Stadium on October 15, 2017 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)
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SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 15: Steven Davis of Southampton (8) clears the ball from his own goal line during the Premier League match between Southampton and Newcastle United at St Mary’s Stadium on October 15, 2017 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)
SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 15: Steven Davis of Southampton (8) clears the ball from his own goal line during the Premier League match between Southampton and Newcastle United at St Mary’s Stadium on October 15, 2017 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)

Southampton faced a stubborn Newcastle side in their eighth game of the season, in a match that eventually ended 2-2 after a brace from Manolo Gabbiadini saved the home side.

The Saints went down after 20 minutes when Isaac Hayden saw his shot beat Fraser Forster from outside the area. The reds started the second half brightly, though, and just 4 minutes into it, Gabbiadini took the ball round Javier Manquillo and scored with a well taken finish.

However, just two minutes later, a howler from Forster gifted Ayoze Perez a chance to put the Toon army back ahead, which he did comfortably. But with 75 minutes on the clock, a good exchange between Sofiane Boufal and Shane Long saw the latter brought down inside the area. Gabbiadini stepped up and dispatched the penalty superbly into the top right.

In what could be seen as a disappointed result and performance, there are still a few positives for Mauricio Pellegrino to take. A few good individual performances will give the Argentinian some stability in what is now a huge game next weekend against West Brom.

But who were the key players for Southampton? Contributor Jack Deery picks out his best three from Sunday’s game.