Live Commentary: Newcastle United 4-2 Southampton - as it happened

Newcastle United hosted Southampton at St James' Park this afternoon with both sides looking to consolidate their place in the Premier League.

Both sides went into the match on a decent run of form after key changes in January, but it was Newcastle who came out on top in a six-goal thriller.

Read how it all unfolded in our live commentary below.

3.28pmWell that's all from me. What a great game. I hope you enjoyed it, see you soon.

3.27pmHere's a reminder of what happened in this six-goal thriller. Schneiderlin gave the Saints the lead early on in the match, before Sissoko and a Cisse wonderstrike gave Newcastle a half-time lead. The away side were level swiftly into the second half through Rickie Lambert, before a Yohan Cabaye penalty and a Jos Hooiveld own goal secured the win for Newcastle on French Day.

3.25pmAnd there you have it, Newcastle have come out on top in a stunning game of football at St James' Park to move six points clear of the relegation zone.

90+4 minFULL TIME: Newcastle United 4-2 Southampton

90+3 minThe game has been settled for the past ten minutes now, both teams just running the clock down. Newcastle are going to win this match.

90+1 minDespite their pending defeat, the Saints fans are in fine voice in the away end. They sold out their away allocation and are making themselves heard. Oh when the Saints...

90 minWe will have four minutes stoppage time here.

90 minRamirez has a go at goal direct from free kick in a wide position. The ball sails just over the far post.

87 minNEWCASTLE SUBSTITUTION Yoan Gouffran, who played such a vital role in Newcastle's equaliser, makes way for Vurnon Anita.

86 minUPDATE Carlos Tevez has doubled Manchester City's lead five minutes from time to give them a 2-0 lead over Chelsea at the Etihad.

85 minSaints appeal for a penalty of their own, as Ramirez dribbles into the box and goes down under a challenge. Foy isn't interested though and play goes on.

84 minThe game has died right down now, it seems as if the Saints are accepting defeat.

82 minUPDATE It's still Manchester City 1-0 Chelsea in the other Premier League game today.

81 minSAINTS SUBSTITUTION Jason Puncheon comes on for Jay Rodriguez for Southampton's final change of the match.

80 minIt's a horrible goal for Saints to concede as Hooiveld racks up his third own goal of the season. Davide Santon ran riot down the left for Newcastle before putting a great ball into the box. Yoshida went to clear the ball, but in the end slammed the ball against Hooiveld who could only watch as the ball went into the back of the net. That should seal the win.

79 minGOAL! Newcastle United 4-2 Southampton (Jos Hooiveld)

79 minJason Puncheon looks as if he is coming on.

77 minNEWCASTLE SUBSTITUTION Yohan Cabaye receives a standing ovation as he leaves the field. James Perch comes on.

75 minNewcastle are readying James Perch to come on.

74 minHowever it is Gouffran who opts for a measured blasts, and slams it into the wall.

73 minYELLOW CARD Maya Yoshida goes into the book for tripping the rampaging Moussa Sissoko. This free kick is in Cabaye territory.

70 minTiote is currently off the field receiving treatment. Play goes on.

69 minNo immediate response from the Saints, who will feel really hard done by having conceded that penalty.

67 minCabaye makes no mistake from the spot, and sends Boruc the wrong way to put the hosts back in front. What a game.

67 minGOAL! Newcastle United 3-2 Southampton (Yohan Cabaye)

66 minNewcastle have a chance from the spot, as Debuchy's cross is blocked by the arm of Fox. Cabaye will take this.

66 minPENALTY TO NEWCASTLE!

65 minSAINTS SUBSTITUTION As I said, Steven Davis makes way, and on comes Saints' record signing Gaston Ramirez. Straight-swap in the centre of midfield by Pochettino.

65 minThe game has gone a bit quiet, but Gaston Ramirez's imminent arrival could change that. Davis I understand will make way for the Uruguayan.

64 minUPDATE Yaya Toure has given Manchester City the lead over Chelsea at the Etihad Stadium in the 63rd minute.

63 minThe corner was cleared away and Saints can recover.

62 minNewcastle waiting to take this corner but the referee is having words with players about some shoving in the box.

60 minThe official Saints Twitter feed is reporting that Luke Shaw had taken a knock which resulted in his withdrawal from the field.

59 minTaylor won the ball from that corner, but Saints manage to run out the danger and win a throw off Tiote.

58 minIt's a tense atmosphere at St James' Park, Newcastle are desperate to go back in front. They have a corner now.

57 minSAINTS SUBSTITUTION Luke Shaw is replaced by Danny Fox for the away side. Pochettino possibly taking his yellow card into consideration there.

55 minCHANCE! It's all Southampton now, and after a one-two with Rodriguez, Lallana fires a low effort just wide of the near post from the edge of the D.

55 minAre you watching Roy? Wonder if Lambert will be considered for the next Three Lions squad.

54 minLambert is now the highest scoring Englishman in the Premier League this season, that goal was his 12th.

53 minCHANCE! So nearly 3-2 to the Saints. It's a lovely bit of play from Clyne down the right, who works his way to edge of the box before turning his marker inside out and putting in a cross. Lambert is there to meet it with a flying header, but it goes just wide of the bottom corner. Newcastle fans growing concerned here. What a game this is.

52 minSaints aren't too bad at starting new halves are they?

51 minWho else? Rickie Lambert scores his 100th Southampton goal just moments after being denied from his free kick. Saints build the ball up down the right, before Lambert is played into the box and he strokes his shot low to the bottom right corner. Great take, game on once more.

50 minGOAL! Newcastle United 2-2 Southampton (Rickie Lambert)

48 minCHANCE! Lambert is inches away from claiming his 100th Saints goal. His effort his heading into the far corner after curling the ball around the wall, but Elliot flies to his right and palms the ball behind for a corner.

47 minLambert wins a free kick in a great position for the Saints. He will surely take this one.

46 minWe're back underway at St James' Park as Southampton take the kickoff.

2.35pmNewcastle are back out as well now.

2.34pmThe Saints are back out, I cannot imagine their half-time team talk was too warm-hearted after they let their lead slip before falling behind.

2.27pmUPDATE It's also half time at the Etihad where it remains Manchester City 0-0 Chelsea.

2.22pmSouthampton may have started better, but on the basis of play, Newcastle deserve their half-time lead.

2.21pmMorgan Schneiderlin slammed the ball home on the turn to put the visitors in front, before Moussa Sissoko tapped the ball in for the leveller. And then, an absolute worldie of a strike from Papiss Cisse, whose half-volley from 30 yards out cannoned off the underside of the bar to turn the game on its head.

2.20pmWell that's it for the first half and what an enjoyable half that was. Saints deserved their early goal and started the game superbly. However, it was all Newcastle from that point onwards.

45+4 minHALF TIME: Newcastle United 2-1 Southampton

45+4 minIt comes to nothing, and the ball is cleared. That surely must be it.

45+3 minLast chance in this half then falls to Southampton, as they have a chance to put the ball into the box from this free kick.

45+1 minNEWCASTLE SUBSTITUTION Coloccini has been struggling ever since he pulled off that overhead kick. He comes off and another Frenchman, Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa comes onto the field. I'm going to have fun typing that name out all afternoon.

45 minWe will have three minutes of added time here.

45 minI still cannot get over how good a goal that was. He couldn't buy a goal in the first half of the season, but my word does Cisse know how to find the back of the net at times.

42 minWhat a wonder strike from Cisse. The ball falls to him on a bobble from 30 yards out, and he had no right to even shoot from there, but he thumps it on the half-volley and the ball dips over the head of Boruc and off the underside of the bar. Shades of his goal at Stamford Bridge last year. Goal of the season contender. Newcastle have turned it around.

42 minGOAL! Newcastle United 2-1 Southampton (Papiss Cisse)

41 minSome keepy-uppies in the corner from Coloccini as he was being forced towards the byeline before clearing with an overhead kick.

40 minYELLOW CARD Luke Shaw goes into the book and it is again Gutierrez who has won the foul. The left-back was guilty of holding back the Argentine as he tried to run onto to a loose ball, but Chris Foy blew up and dished out the caution.

39 minSissoko is again causing trouble as he ghosts down the left, twisting and turning Clyne inside out before working himself into some space at the byeline. The cross is poor however, and behind for a goal kick.

37 minThe game has gone a bit quiet now after that leveller, both teams seemingly trying to figure out a new game plan now that we are back at square one in this match.

36 minOn the basis of play, the goal was probably deserved. Since they went behind, it's been largely Newcastle in the ascendancy after Saints excellent start.

35 minThat strike was Sissoko's third Premier League goal since joining the Toon Army last month.

33 minThe hosts are level and it is Moussa Sissoko continues his stunning start to his Newcastle career. Gouffran creates havoc down the left before working his way into the box. He drills his shot at Boruc from close range, but the ball parries out to an unmarked Sissoko who simply has to tap the ball in from all of three yards out. Game on.

32 minGOAL! Newcastle United 1-1 Southampton (Moussa Sissoko)

30 minNice spell of attack for the hosts at the moment, but they can't get a shot on goal. Saints defensive shape is superb.

28 minCHANCE! Debuchy tries his luck on the volley after the ball is headed away from a long free kick into the box. However, the Frenchman's effort is high, wide and not at all handsome.

26 minSTAT UPDATE Newcastle have seen more of the ball with just over a quarter of the game gone. The possession count is in their favour with 61% to Southampton's 39%. However, it's the Saints who lead.

25 minYELLOW CARD The game's first booking goes to Saints forward Jay Rodriguez after his late challenge from behind on an escaping Jonas Gutierrez.

24 minBit of a spell for the Saints now, they haven't been able to create anything in the way of chances yet thought.

23 minUPDATE It's still goalless between Manchester City and Chelsea at the Etihad Stadium.

21 minMore Newcastle appeals for a penalty as Steven Taylor hits the deck in the box after a series of corners. He is livid, but he hasn't got a decision. He literally tries an overhead kick, falls over, and then asks for a spotkick.

18 minCHANCE! Lovely build-up from Newcastle down the right with Debuchy. The balls eventually ends up on the edge of the six-yard box with Cisse, but the striker almost has too much time as he tries to turn and fire before being snuffed out by the Saints defence. Positive stuff from the Magpies.

17 minAlso, I'm not sure how long he has had his hair like it, but Cheick Tiote is sporting a blonde mohican. I personally wouldn't have my hair like that but I dare to to tell the Ivorian that he doesn't look good.

16 minThat corner came to nothing by the way.

15 minCHANCE! Boruc is tested for the first time in the match. Cisse wins the ball on the left of the box before playing it back to Moussa Sissoko. He winds up before unleashing a low effort from the edge of the area which is heading for the bottom corner until Boruc gets a palm to it and pushes it behind for a corner.

13 minNewcastle half-heartedly appeal for a penalty as Cisse's pass deflects upwards off Luke Shaw. I'm not really sure who Cisse was trying to convince. Nothing given.

12 minNo real chances for the home side as of yet apart from that Coloccini effort. Saints are defending well and not allowing the hosts a shooting opportunity.

9 minNewcastle now enjoying a spell of possession in the Saints half. The goal has forced them to come out from the back and try to take the game to the Saints.

7 minCHANCE! Newcastle create a chance of their own for a corner as they go in search of an instant reply. The corner is cleared away but only as far as Coloccini. But the captain's half-volley bobbles wide for a goalkick.

6 minWho would have thought that a French player scoring on French Day at St James' Park would result in Southampton taking the lead.

5 minJust seeing the replays of the goal and it really was a great strike from the Frenchman, Newcastle will be asking themselves why Schneiderlin has time to swivel in the box.

4 minWhat a start for the Saints, Jack Cork floats a long ball into the box from the right which is knocked down by Rickie Lambert, the ball then falls into the path of Schneiderlin, who smashes the ball on the turn into the near corner of the net. What a goal, what a start.

3 minGOAL! Newcastle United 1-0 Southampton (Morgan Schneiderlin)

2 minSaints have started this match on the front foot, and are forcing Newcastle back while maintaining a lot of early possession.

1 minSaints are sporting their all-red strip with pinstriped shirts and are playing from left to right.

1.30pmNewcastle are wearing their black and white striped shirts, black shorts and black socks and will get the game underway. Shooting from right to left.

1.29pmBoth teams are out on the field, we're nearly ready to go.

1.25pmFive to go...

1.25pmEven the official match programme front cover is in French. They sure are taking it seriously here.

1.21pmI've done some research, and apparently French Day is just a day that will consist of French-themed entertainment, with fans encouraged to sport berets and garlic and whatever else.

1.19pmBoth sides have finished their warm-ups and have headed back to the dressing room for one final team talk.

1.19pmJust 11 minutes until kickoff.

1.18pmIn the reverse fixture of this clash, the Saints earned a 2-0 victory over the Toon Army at St Mary's, and you can read the report HERE.

1.16pmEmmanuel Mayuka returns to the Saints squad having been on international duty with Zambia at the Africa Cup of Nations.

1.15pmSAINTS BENCH: K. Davis, Fonte, Ramirez, Fox, Ward-Prowse, Mayuka, Puncheon.

1.14pmStill no Hatem Ben Arfa for 'Le Toon', who recently claimed that he could have been as good as Lionel Messi.

1.12pmNEWCASTLE BENCH: Alnwick, Yanga-Mbiwa, Perch, Anita, Marveaux, Obertan, Sh Ameobi.

1.07pmRight, lets have a look at the substitutes benches.

1.07pmAnd on French Day at St James' Park, Newcastle are only starting the four Frenchman. Before you ask me what French Day is, I have no idea. But I will try to find out for you.

1.06pmRob Elliot starts in goal for the Toon Army, with news that Tim Krul is expected to be missing for as much as five weeks.

1.04pmIt looks as if Pardew will use the same formation as Pochettino with a 4-3-3, pitting Cisse in the middle of a front three, flanked by Gouffran and Gutierrez.

1.03pmAlan Pardew has made SEVEN changes from the side that beat Metalist Kharkiv in the Europa League on Thursday. Davide Santon and Cheick Tiote both return from injury to start.

12.59pmNEWCASTLE UNITED XI: Elliot; Debuchy, S Taylor, Coloccini, Santon; Cabaye, Tiote; Gutierrez, Sissoko, Gouffran; Cisse.

12.58pmApologies to those awaiting news of the home side's starting lineup, but it has just been released.

12.56pmSo it looks as if the Saints are lining-up in a 4-3-3 formation with Jay Rodriguez and Lallana either side of Rickie Lambert up top. Schneiderlin, Cork and Steven Davis make up the midfield trio.

12.54pmRecord signing Gaston Ramirez is also on the bench for the Saints.

12.54pmThe changes mean that Danny Fox and Jason Puncheon drop to the bench where they are joined by Jose Fonte, who returns after a seven-week injury absence.

12.53pmSo as you can see, Mauricio Pochettino makes two changes to his side that beat the Premier League champions as skipper Adam Lallana returns after a long layoff, while left-back Luke Shaw comes back into the side.

12.51pmSAINTS XI: Boruc, Clyne, Yoshida, Hooiveld, Shaw, Schneiderlin, Cork, S. Davis, Rodriguez, Lallana, Lambert.

12.51pmWe've had team news just in.

12.50pmThe Magpies last Premier League outing was a 2-1 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane a fortnight ago, while Saints pulled off a marvellous 3-1 win over Manchester City at St Mary's.

12.43pmThere may be a lot of other big games on today, but I personally think that this game has the potential to be a cracker. Both teams have undergone significant changes, both sides are in a good run of form and, most importantly, both sides are desperate to maintain their place in England's top flight.

12.42pmHello and welcome to Sports Mole's live coverage of Newcastle United versus Southampton in the Premier League.