Southampton 0-1 Newcastle: Isak magic leaves Mags 90 minutes from Wembley
A rollercoaster of a night for Newcastle fans but one that ended in a monumental win, as Eddie Howe's Mags came away from St Mary's with a 1-0 win - sending us into next week's return leg with a big advantage.
The game had everything. A brilliant goal - scored by Joelinton and created by a moment of magic from Alexander Isak - VAR drama, a red card for the Saints and more missed chances from the Mags, with Joelinton, Willock and Longstaff all guilty of spurning big opportunities.
Both teams had their moments. They had us on the back foot for periods of the second half - where we looked nervous and knackered, at times - but late cameos from Isak and Saint-Maximin changed the game, stretching a Saints side who couldn't handle their pace and directness.
We could and should have scored three or four and had one wrongfully chalked off by VAR. However, Pope made some key saves to keep his TENTH clean sheet in a row, with Adam Armstrong's 'equaliser' disallowed for a handball just moments after we took the lead.
Howe named an unchanged side, keeping faith in the likes of Callum Wilson and Joelinton, leaving Allan Saint-Maximin and Alexander Isak to settle for a place on the bench.
We made a really fast start. First Miguel Almiron slipped in Joe Willock - who skied over with a first time shot - then another quick move led to Sean Longstaff fizzing a low ball across the box which only just evaded everyone. Promising signs but another example of us failing to capitalise on big openings.
Moments later, our first scare arrived as Fabian Schar went down clutching his knee after a collision with Sekou Mara. It didn't look good. Thankfully, the Swiss star managed to soldier on, albeit uncomfortably.
Wilson continued to look a little rusty in the early stages, failing to get a hold of a few balls into the final third. Then, after a Longstaff penalty appeal was waved away, Kieran Trippier's flashed in a first time cross that was just too strong for Willock at the back post.
In many ways, the pattern of the game was similar to Saturday midway through the first half. We looked the better side, had 60% possession and were largely untroubled defensively, but there were a few nervy touches, loose passes and a lack of conviction or quality when we got into good areas in the final third.
Right of cue, our wayward finishing was then summed up by Willock 10 minutes before the break, as the former Arsenal man smashed a back post volley into row Z after a lovely give and go between Almiron and Trippier ended with another inviting cross that was ultimately wasted.
The biggest moment of the first half then came as Joelinton had a close range finish chalked off by the referee for an alleged handball. Replays showed no conclusive evidence that the ball struck the Brazilians arm, yet the decision stood. Absolutely infuriating and a decision that left Toon supporters incensed on social media.
Former Mag Adam Armstrong then came on for the hosts after Moussa Djenepo's collision with Nick Pope left him unable to continue and the half-time whistle followed. 0-0 at the break, somehow.
VAR frustrations out of the way - for now - we kicked off the second half with more of the same, only this time it was Longstaff who fired Almiron's cut-back way over the bar. The Geordie midfielder needs to work on his shooting, no matter how much dirty work he gets through.
Despite our early chance, Southampton did come out after the break with much more attacking intent, but it was Newcastle who created the second big moment and what a miss it was from Joelinton. It looked a certain goal after more great work from Almiron, this time down the right, yet our £40m man blazed over after the ball fell his way. An absolute howler and yet another opportunity I prayed we wouldn't live to regret.
The Saints then made a double change, bringing on Che Adams and Samuel Edozie in place of Sekou Mara and Mislav Orsic. The noise inside St Mary's cranked up a gear and the Saints began to get some real joy down either flank, as Edozie skipped past Trippier and Armstrong caused Burn issues.
Adams was then put clean through on goal with just over 25 minutes remaining. He beat the offside trap, only to be denied by Pope's outstretched leg - a massive let off for a Newcastle side who were well and truly on the ropes at this point.
Howe reacted with a double change, seeing Saint-Maximin an Isak replace the wasteful Willock and tiring Wilson. The latter shook his head as he came off - no doubt aware that it was another below par display - but it was a move that would go on to change the game.
Trippier was struggling to contain the lively Edozie and soon went into the book for a blatant trip on the Saints sub. Both he and Bruno were well below their best in the second half, with the usually reliable duo often being caught on the ball.
We needed some inspiration and it arrived through Isak, as our club-record signing spun Caleta-Car, left the centre-back for dead, burst into the box and set up a tap-in Joelinton could not miss this time! 1-0 Newcastle, finally a breakthrough and brilliant scenes in the away end. In truth, it could've been the big man's hat-trick!
The drama didn't end there, however. Seconds after the restart, a high ball in the box wasn't dealt with and Armstrong bundled home against his former club - only for replays to show the ball struck his hand before deflecting in off Burn. Justice!
Another change followed as Howe brought on Jacob Murphy for a frankly knackered Almiron, but we were soon playing against 10 men when a brilliant run from Saint-Maximin was seithed down by an already booked Caleta-Car. It threatened to boil over, although we had the last laugh as Murphy waved off the Croatian!
It could've been 2-0 in stoppage time, as Isak latched onto a Longstaff through ball and rounded the goalkeeper, only for his effort from a tight angle to hit the side netting.
Full time: 1-0 Newcastle. A fair result and one that sends us into next week's second leg with a massive advantage. HOWAY THE LADS!
(4-3-3): Pope – Trippier, Schar, Botman, Burn – Longstaff, Guimaraes, Willock – Almiron, Wilson, Joelinton.
Substitutes: Darlow, Lascelles, Saint-Maximin, Ritchie, Lewis, Isak, Manquillo, Murphy, Anderson.
