Newcastle 2-1 Southampton: Saints back to old habits as good run ends

Southampton surrendered another lead in the Premier League as they went on to lose 2-1 at Newcastle on Sunday.

Main man Danny Ings netted in his fifth consecutive league game to put his side ahead just after half-time, but Newcastle levelled through Jonjo Shelvey.

It was then left for home defender Federico Fernandez to fire home a late winner and undo all of the good work that Saints had done for much of the afternoon.

Ralph Hasenhuttl fielded the same side that claimed a vital win against Norwich on Wednesday and his players – and Nathan Redmond in particular – started the game brightly.

The Saints winger had a golden chance to open the scoring when he seized upon a loose pass from the hosts and beat his man to go through one-on-one with goalkeeper Martin Dubravka, but his eventual finish was straight at the Slovakia international with the goal gaping.

A James Ward-Prowse corner then produced another chance for Redmond as the ball bounced clear towards the edge of the box – the 25-year-old hitting a stinging volley goalwards and seeing an equally dynamic save from Dubravka turn the effort away from goal.

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After half-time though, Saints would get their lead when Danny Ings scored for the fifth Premier League match running to bag his 11th goal of the season.

A long ball forward from Jack Stephens caused uncertainty between Newcastle defenders, and Ings raced through to finish calmly across goal before celebrating in front of the Saints fans high up in the gods at St James’ Park.

But then – after a Cedric effort was easily palmed away despite a promising looking Saints counter – Newcastle took advantage of the visitors’ slender lead to turn the game on its head.

Jonjo Shelvey equalised when he met a cross at the back post after ghosting into the area unmarked, and then Federico Fernandez got the all important winner when he was quickest to follow up a parried Sean Longstaff shot.

Whilst Saints may have played the better football in this game, the 2-1 loss proves that they still have a long way to go to save themselves this season – and that the final scoreline is the one that really matters.