One 8/10, three 7.5s and a 4/10 - Player ratings from Newcastle 1-0 Southampton

An exhausting but precious win for Newcastle United as our 10 men beat Southampton after Fabian Schar’s first half red card at St James’ Park.

Pope (7.5) - Huge save from Armstrong in the 2nd half. He didn’t have too many saves to make but stepped up when we needed him to. Injury concern late on which he seemed to shrug it off.

Livramento (7) - Looked very good defensively in the second half after an iffy first 45. Disciplined after the red card and won most of the one on ones against Edozie. Unable to show anything in attack after the red.

Schar (3) - Defended well stepping into midfield to counteract the numbers advantage but undid any of his good work with a stupid red card. Was a soft red but he should know better. Lucky it didn’t cost us, but he’ll miss three games now.

Burn (7.5) - Marshalled the defence well after the red card. Won everything in the air, mad one crucial block and helped see out a precious clean sheet.

Hall (4) - Very poor performance. Early yellow card, muscled off the ball numerous times and gave the ball away needlessly around his own box on several occasions. Goal line clearance was vital, but needs to improve to keep his place in the side.

Longstaff (7) - Earned the biggest cheer up until the goal by scything down Brereton-Diaz, which set the tone after the injustice of Schar's red. Robust and disciplined defensively. Did well in a tough game. 

Guimaraes (7.5) - Had the honour of leading the team out as captain but was uncharacteristically sloppy in possession early. Work rate can’t be faulted but going down to 10 men stifled any attacking impetus. Showed his defensive abilities in the 2nd half and was a man on a mission to make sure we won!

Joelinton (8) - Man of the match. Scored the winner a covered every blade of grass. Colossus in midfield breaking up play at every opportunity, winning duels and drawing fouls to get us over the line. What a player!

Murphy (5) - Unlucky player to be hooked due to the red card to Schar. Prior to that he struggled to get into the game

Gordon (6) - Ran his heart out and pressed well but had limited opportunities once we went down to 10 men. Didn’t look fully fit or quite at it early on but did well to keep going.

Isak (6.5) - Great assist for Joelinton but unable to make a huge impact on the game. Defended from the front stoutly and had a few nice touches

Subs:

Krafth (7) - Slotted in well alongside Burn and held Southampton at bay. Swept up well and looks much more comfortable a centre half now

Kelly (7) - Didn’t put a foot wrong after replacing Hall at left-back. Solid and the odd tidy pass out of defence too.

Barnes (5) - Struggled to gather a pass into the final third that could’ve got us in behind. Didn't really get into the game, but wasn’t easy with 10 men.