Southampton 0-0 Newcastle: Three match takeaways – 27/10/18
By Chris Hughes
Yesterday afternoon Southampton failed to score again as they drew with a Newcastle who are still yet to win this season.
It was billed as a relegation six-pointer so early in the campaign because of the potential ramifications of the result. If Newcastle had got all three points they could’ve dragged themselves away from their fellow strugglers whereas if the Saints were victorious they could’ve given themselves some breathing space on the bottom three.
As it stands, Southampton remain 16th while goal difference sees the Magpies sit 19th, with an identical 0-3-7 record to Huddersfield who are beneath them.
While those two teams are managing to suffer worse starts to the season, these games against Bournemouth and Newcastle were earmarked as two games in which three-four points were the absolute minimum for Southampton, especially with tougher fixtures to come.
Danny Ings, Mohamed Elyounoussi, Mario Lemina, Jack Stephens and Shane Long all had chances to put Southampton ahead yesterday but none of them could beat Dubravka in the Newcastle net.
Long’s chance was seen as the biggest moment of the as it came within the last ten minutes, as Cedric’s perfect pull-back found the Irishman who dragged his shot inches wide.
As it stands, Southampton are meant to be facing Leicester in two days time but after the tragic news of a helicopter crash in the King Power Stadium car park yesterday night, it remains unclear whether the match will be understandably postponed.
But what match takeaways can be drawn from the stalemate yesterday?