Southampton 0-0 Newcastle: Saints fail to take chances and draw again
By Chris Hughes
Southampton failed to score for the fifth Premier League match in a row as they were held to a goalless draw but fellow under-performers Newcastle.
The result is the Saints’ second consecutive 0-0 draw, after recording the same scoreline against Bournemouth last time out. However, the point against the Cherries was seen as an over-achievement, whereas Mark Hughes will be disappointed his side didn’t come away with more this afternoon.
The Magpies – who are still searching for their first win of the season – offered fairly little over the duration of the game with only Kenedy and Rondon having genuine attempts at goal.
For the Saints, Elyounoussi, Ings, Lemina and Stephens all chances before a late flurry of pressure and set pieces offered even more opportunities for the home team to snatch all the points.
Ultimately, this didn’t happen and boos rang around St. Mary’s as Hughes’ side look to end October without a league win to their name.
In the first half, Elyounoussi had a golden chance to put the home side ahead while the Saints also came close with a lively Danny Ings looking to end his goal drought. This was followed up with Kenedy checking inside nicely on a counter-attack before having his resulting shot blocked by the Southampton defence.
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Mario Lemina – who had a solid game next to Oriol Romeu – almost scored with a near-post flick late in the half, latching onto a low cross with his touch coming off of the post with Dubravka scrambling.
In the second half many supporters thought their side had taken the lead when Charlie Austin found the back of the net from close range but he was adjudged to have fouled the Newcastle goalie before getting his shot off.
Late on, the Saints brought on James Ward-Prowse, Manolo Gabbiadini and Shane Long and all three were heavily involved, with the latter having the game’s best chance. Some smart build-up saw Lemina find Cedric before the right-back’s low cross found Long – his first-time effort bounced narrowly wide of the far post.
Southampton had a tonne of late pressure with half a dozen set-pieces but they failed to create any substantial chances meaning the home side were condemned to another game without a win.
Next up for the Saints is a midweek cup match against Leicester City on Tuesday, followed by the small task of facing Manchester City in eight days time.