A short review
As usual, [team 65] started the game with their high-intensity pressing forcing [team 20] to thump the ball long. The away side was struggling and were finding it difficult to beat Southampton’s press. The first inevitable goal arrived from [player 53]’s solid pick out and a well-executed finish by [player 3596]. The first half ended with the Saints leading by a goal but were superior in every department.
In the first half, Southampton recorded possession of 63% with a total of 8 shots taken. 3 of those were on target, with one ending up in the back of the net. Impressively, out of those 8 shots, 5 were taken from inside the box. Southampton won 35 duals, whereas Newcastle only won 27, which shows Southampton’s stormy intensity under [coach 524297]. They also completed 21 tackles to Newcastle’s 9.
The second half started with the same tempo, and Newcastle struggling again to get the ball into the front players. [player 32508] was marked well by the intensive zonal marking. Steve Bruce then threw big boys Joeliinton and [player 746], replacing [player 1065] and [player 3071]. Sooner after two attacking changes, Southampton got their second goal through [player 172357]. Once again, the counter-pressing style won them the ball at the edge of the Newcastle penalty area. Bad defending but effective pressing and Southampton sealed the three points.
Eye-catching performers
Jack Stephens
Eyebrows were raised when the lineup showed center half Jack Stephens is deployed as a left-back. With the pace Newcastle have got in the wider areas, Stephens’s lack of speed could have been potentially a problem. However, the 26-year-old played one of his best games as his positioning and game reading was second to none.
He made 1 clearance, completed 2 tackles, was not dribbled past a single time despite his low pace, and completed 67 passes. An impressive 2 key passes as well.
James Ward-Prowse
The talented and hard-working midfielder played another awesome game. Ward-Prowse completed 70 passes by recording an accuracy of 88.6% in the process. He also played 2 key passes and completed 3 crosses as well. Besides, the 26-year-old completed 5 long balls.
The Southampton boy was robust in his defensive contributions as well, winning 6 duals in total. Moreover, he made 2 clearances and completed an outstanding 5 tackles.
Unsatisfactory performers
Miguel Almiron
One of Newcastle’s fan favorites had an abysmal game. He was deployed in a more central position but was allowed to drift wide in possession. Almiron was expected to make late bursting runs into the box, but his involvement was minimal. The player known for beating players using his pace and dribbling skills completed 1 dribble throughout the game.