Southampton needed a win against Newcastle United today to lift them out of the Premier League relegation zone.
Alan Pardew's men looked tired from their midweek exertions in the Europa League and the Saints took full advantage.
Goals from Adam Lallana and Gaston Ramirez secured a 2-0 victory at St Mary's, which lifts them into 17th, sending Aston Villa into the drop zone.
The Magpies are now without a win in eight league games.
You can read how all the action unfolded below.
Good afternoon and welcome to Sports Mole for live coverage of the Premier League. Today, Newcastle travel to Southampton looking to get their stuttering campaign back on track.
The Saints have struggled in their first season back in the Premier League, but will have been buoyed by last week's win over Queens Park Rangers. A win today would see them condemn Aston Villa to a spot in the relegation zone.
It's the first meeting between these two teams since 2006, when Newcastle dumped Southampton out of the FA Cup. In fact, the Magpies are unbeaten in their last eight games against the Saints.
A goal that's always on the Premier League highlight reel is Matt le Tissier's superb strike against Newcaslte at The Dell in 1993. Remember?
We have some team news for you...
Gazzaniga; Clyne, Fonte, Yoshida, Shaw; Puncheon, Schneiderlin, Cork, Lallana, Ramirez; Lambert
Krul; Simpson, Williamson, S. Taylor, Santon; Gutierrez, Tiote, Anita, Ferguson; Cisse, Ba
Elsehwere in the Premier League, it's currently goalless between Swansea and Liverpool. You can follow all the action from the Liberty Stadium by clicking here.
Newcastle are without a win in their last seven games - a run which started when Pardew was awarded an eight-year contract at St James' Park. They have also failed to win away from home this season and will be looking to end that particular run.
Demba Ba has refound his scoring touch this season, bagging eight goals. That's coincided with Papiss Cisse's drought. He's only scored one goal this season, and that came in the Europa League.
Southampton have been scoring goals from all over the park it seems this season. They have had 10 different scorers, which is bettered only by Manchester United and Chelsea. Meanwhile, Newcastle have had four - equal fewest along with Sunderland and Stoke City.
Newcastle United manager Alan Pardew on the effect that the Europa League is having on his team this season: "There is no doubt the Europa League has cost us in the league. It’s the intensity you need from the players to play on a Thursday night, then on the Sunday. You’ve only got to look at the data to know there’s a dip. Unfortunately there’s also going to be a dip mentally as well. But you have to get rid of that feeling and get into Sunday. All these things are impacting on the team. It’s all different to us. It’s all new."
Those quotes came courtesy of The Mirror.
The teams are out on the pitch and we're just moments from kickoff at St Mary's.
The game is now underway...
Ba has the first real effort on goal, as he's picked out by a cross from Ferguson. However, the Senegalese striker could not must much power on his header.
SHOT! Clyne strikes at goal but it's diverted wide by the boot of Lallana.
Claims for a penalty! Ramirez's shot was blocked by Steven Taylor and Southampton appeal, but referee Martin Atkinson isn't interested!
Southampton have been the better team so far, looking the more likely to break the deadlock. Newcastle seem a bit jaded from their midweek exertions.
Anita puts Krul in a spot of bother with a casual back pass, but the Dutch goalkeeper rushes out the clear the danger.
Lambert is nearly sent racing clear but the linesman's flag denies him. It was marginal.
Fonte is given a yellow card for a reckless tackle on Cisse.
Southampton break and Lallana wins a free kick from around 25 yards out. Ramirez stands over it...
OFF THE POST! A superb left-footed free kick has Krul beaten but not the upright! Nearly a second Southampton goal for the Uruguayan!
Anita finds Ba in the area. He turns Fonte... but the linesman is flagging for offside.
SAVE! Ramirez sets Lambert free and the big strikers gets into the box, where he rolls the ball back for Puncheon. Krul does well to keep his effort out with his legs. That was a very good chance...
OFF THE BAR! Lambert strikes the woodwork with a superb free kick!
GOAL! Southampton 1-0 Newcastle (Lallana): Lambert sets Puncheon racing, and Krul comes out of his goal to clear the danger. The ball fell to Clyne wide on the right, and he took a touch before firing at the empty goal. His shot was blocked by Williamson, but Lallana was on hand to tap in the opener.
It's no less than the Saints deserve. They have looked dangerous going forward and Ramirez is threatening again now...
CHANCE! Schniederlin and Puncheon link up nicely and the defender has a sight at goal, but skews his shot high and wide.
Newcastle just aren't at the races today. They're not up for it and Southampton are buzzing.
Cisse nearly finds Tiote in a dangerous area but Schneiderlin slides in well to cut the pass out.
Williamson receives a yellow card for a body check on Gaston Ramirez. Southampton have a free kick from around 30 yards. Lambert looks like he want this one...
He does... but it's well over.
Lambert drifts a ball in from the right corner of the box, but Ramirez's header doesn't trouble Krul.
Southampton 1-0 Newcastle United
You can read Sports Mole's Half-Time Report for this match by clicking here.
Chelsea and Manchester City are moments from kickoff at Stamford Bridge. You can follow all the action from that match by clicking here.
Today's early kickoff saw Brendan Rodgers return to Swansea City for the first time since taking the reins at Liverpool. It ended in a stalemate at the Liberty Stadium.
We also have coverage of Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United's clash at White Hart Lane here.
The players are back on the pitch and Newcastle resume play.
Puncheon is trying to create more problems for Newcastle's defence. He's played very well so far today.
Gutierrez tries to find Santon wide on the left but overhits his pass.
Anita wins a corner for Newcastle.
Ba wins the header from Anita's corner. He gets power into and and directs it on target... but straight at Gazzaniga. Decent effort.
CHANCE! Cisse sets Anita clear but the Dutchman shoots tamely at Gazzaniga. It was a great chance and he should have done better.
CHANCE! Southampton break with Ramirez, who feeds the ball to Puncheon in the area. Lallana makes a run on the outside and is teed up by Puncheon, but Krul saves well!
Newcastle are posing more of an attacking threat in this half. They still open at the back, though...
GOAL! Southampton 2-0 Newcastle (Ramirez): The Saints go two up! They worked the ball around the area well, waiting for their opportunity. Puncheon delivered a low cross from the left which Krul spilled right into the path of Ramirez, who slotted home.
CLAIMS FOR A PENALTY! Ramirez goes down inside the box but the referee waves away the appeal!
Newcastle sub: Sylvain Marveaux comes on for Vurnon Anita.
CHANCE! Lallana sets up Puncheon, who hits Krul's near post!
SAVE! Gazzaniga pulls off a wonderful stop to deny Santon's header from finding the net!
PENALTY CLAIM! Ramirez goes down again! The crowd shout but it looked like he was stumbling once again. No dice.
Ramirez has been booked for kicking the ball away.
And by 'kikcing', I really mean 'kicking'.
Southampton sub: Jay Rodriguez comes on to replace Rickie Lambert.
The St Mary's crowd try to get an 'OLE!' chant going, but as soon as they do the Saints lose the ball.
Southampton sub: Gaston Ramirez makes way for Steven Davis.
SAVE! Krul keeps out Davis's effort. Corner.
OFF THE BAR! Fonte's header comes back off the woodwork!
Gutierrez sends in a looping cross from the left, but Ba and Taylor get in each others' way and the ball goes out for a goal kick to Southampton.
It's pouring down on the south coast, but the crowd are in full voice as their team look on course for a valuable win.
CHANCE! Lallana has an opening inside the box but Krul saves with his legs yet again!
GOAL DISALLOWED! (Rodriguez): Puncheon slipped the youngster through and he fired confidently past Krul. However, the linesman flagged for offside. Replays showed that he was on. So unlucky!
We're going to have four minutes of time added on.
Newcastle sub: James Perch comes on for Steven Taylor.
Southampton sub: Luke Shaw is replaced by Jos Hooiveld.
Southampton sub: Luke Shaw is replaced by Jos Hooiveld.
Southampton 2-0 Newcastle United
A well-deserved victory for the Saints. That's back-to-back wins in the Premier League, and they're out of the relegation zone.
Written by
Michael Penkman
Michael Penkman
