Southampton 0-1 Newcastle: Premier League – Saints Player Ratings

SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - MARCH 07: Jack Stephens and Alex McCarthy of Southampton celebrate after Alex McCarthy of Southampton saved a penalty shot from Matt Ritchie of Newcastle United (not pictured) during the Premier League match between Southampton FC and Newcastle United at St Mary's Stadium on March 07, 2020 in Southampton, United Kingdom. (Photo by Charlie Crowhurst/Getty Images)
SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - MARCH 07: Jack Stephens and Alex McCarthy of Southampton celebrate after Alex McCarthy of Southampton saved a penalty shot from Matt Ritchie of Newcastle United (not pictured) during the Premier League match between Southampton FC and Newcastle United at St Mary's Stadium on March 07, 2020 in Southampton, United Kingdom. (Photo by Charlie Crowhurst/Getty Images)
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SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND – MARCH 07: Southampton FC players surround Referee Graham Scott a decision goes against them during the Premier League match between Southampton FC and Newcastle United at St Mary’s Stadium on March 07, 2020 in Southampton, United Kingdom. (Photo by Charlie Crowhurst/Getty Images)
SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND – MARCH 07: Southampton FC players surround Referee Graham Scott a decision goes against them during the Premier League match between Southampton FC and Newcastle United at St Mary’s Stadium on March 07, 2020 in Southampton, United Kingdom. (Photo by Charlie Crowhurst/Getty Images)

Southampton fell to a narrow defeat to Newcastle on Saturday as a red card and a defensive mistake cost them dearly.

Moussa Djenepo was sent off for a dangerous but unintentional challenge on Isaac Hayden early on and Saints defended resolutely until the final 10 minutes.

The came a moment that Yan Valery will want to bounce back from quickly – he delayed making a clearance far too long and allowed Allan Saint-Maximin in to poke home the winning goal.

Despite a lot of decisions going against them rightly or wrongly, Saints would have been forgiven for thinking that it going to be their day as Alex McCarthy made superb save after superb save – including from a Matt Ritchie penalty.

However, a fifth loss in six games in all competitions was confirmed, although results going their way elsewhere see the gap between them and the bottom three still at seven points.

A more positive end to the season is needed though with away trip to Norwich City up next.

Here are the Saints Player Ratings from today’s match: