Newcastle United travelled to Southampton today looking for their first Premier League win in seven games.
The Magpies have struggled to replicate their form of last season, and fell to their fifth loss of their season courtesy of goals from Adam Lallana and Gaston Ramirez.
The result sees the Saints climb out of the relegation zone and to within three points of Alan Pardew's men.
Here, Sports Mole takes a closer look to see if the result was fair.
Match statistics
Southampton
Shots: 18
On Target: 8
Possession: 50%
Corners: 4
Fouls: 12
Newcastle
Shots: 8
On Target: 3
Possession: 50%
Corners: 3
Fouls: 13
Was the result fair?
Yes. The Saints played well from start to finish and thoroughly deserved their victory.
Southampton's performance
8/10. Nigel Adkins can be well pleased with his team today as they completely ran the show. Southampton looked like they wanted it far more than their opponents, who looked beaten before they even took to the field. Jason Puncheon was a livewire in midfield, playing just behind front man Rickie Lambert. He caused Newcastle's defence all sorts of problems, while Adam Lallana and Gaston Ramirez also had good games. Newcastle began to threaten after the break, and a lapse in concentration allowed Vurnon Anita a run at goal. The Dutchman really should have scored, but Paulo Gazzaniga recounted for his previous errors in goal by keeping him out. The Argentine had an assured performance, and made another brilliant save to deny Davide Santon. The Saints hit the woodwork three times today, while Jay Rodriguez had a perfectly good goal ruled out late on. With a bit more luck, they could have scored a few more today, but will no doubt be delighted with three points.
Newcastle's performance?
5/10. The Magpies looked leggy from their Europa League encounter with Maritimo on Thursday, and were also missing influential figures Yohan Cabaye and Fabrizio Coliccini. With their final group-stage game against Bordeaux in two weeks, and qualification assured, Alan Pardew will be without this headache until February when the Europa League starts back up. However, before that they have a gruelling festive period. Demba Ba got involved and was Newcastle's best performer, but Papiss Cisse continued to look lost in attack. Vurnon Anita looks like he's still getting to grips with the rigours of English football, but his Dutch teammate Tim Krul was excellent once again, although he was actually at fault for the Saints' second by spilling Puncheon's cross.
Referee's performance
Martin Atkinson had a decent game. He waved away two appeals for a penalty, and he was right on both occasions. Gaston Ramirez twice went down under very little persuasion, but his protests were ignored. One criticism could be that Ramirez didn't receive a booking, but the Uruguayan got away with it by not really appealing too strongly. He was looking for it though...
Sports Mole's man of the match
Jason Puncheon: I was very impressed with the former Blackpool man. He was at the centre of Southampton's attack and deserved a goal today.
Biggest gaffe
Vurnon Anita squandered a glorious chance to level for the visitors just after the break. Papiss Cisse exploited a gap in the Southampton defence to set the Dutchman clear, but he never looked comfortable and struggled to bring the ball under control. Eventually, he shot tamely at Gazzaniga.
What's next?
Southampton: The Saints welcome Norwich City to St Mary's on Wednesday.
Newcastle: The Magpies travel to the Britannia Stadium for a tough midweek clash with Stoke City.
Michael Penkman
