St James’ Park was a stadium that I always wanted to visit. Being from Glasgow, a city divided by football…and deeper issues, I was always interested to see how a one club city like Newcastle banded together to support their football team.
It may not have been the most mouth-watering game of the weekends fixture list, that would probably go to Liverpool v Chelsea. A relatively easy drive across the border from Glasgow, meant that Newcastle United v Southampton was on the menu.
Although it’s only the third game of the league campaign, neither team have recorded a win. Newcastle have lost both league games, a 4–2 home defeat to West Ham, and a 2–0 loss away to Aston Villa. To add insult to injury, they were knocked out the League Cup in the 2nd round, losing 4–3 on penalties at home to Burnley. Southampton lost their opening league game 3–1 away to Everton, but should be going into this with a bit more confidence, coming off a 1–1 draw at home to Man United last weekend, and an 8–0 win over Newport County in the League Cup.
St James’ Park (and its location) were great. Standing proud in the city centre, which was vastly populated with Newcastle United tops. Visually supporting the team, was completely different from audibly doing so. Southampton supporters were making all the noise from the upper tier, with Newcastle fans mumbling in between. The game itself was not reflecting of the result. A severe lack of urgency was carried out by the home team, which saw them being booed off at half time. Newcastle would take the lead on the 55th minute, thanks to Callum Wilson’s header. Mohamed Elyounoussi would equalise with his first Premier League goal on the 74th minute. Allan Saint-Maximin thought he had scored the winner, giving Newcastle a 2–1 lead on the 90th minute from close range. After three failed attempts to clear the ball and the pressure, Jamaal Lascelles fouled Adam Armstrong — leading to a VAR check and penalty being awarded. James Ward Prowse stepped up and converted the penalty on the 96th minute. The game ended 2–2, a result that flattered Newcastle, and the game as a whole. Southampton had 22 attempts on goal, as well as 64% possession. For the home team to be on the backfoot to that extent, is rather alarming. The supporters were tense, frustrated and clearly angry at what the were watching. The only positive I could find, was Allan Saint-Maximin’s performance. Overall, I was rather disappointed with my first English Premier League game, as a neutral Scot. I can only imagine how a Newcastle United supporter feels watching that, every week.
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