Obvious handball goes unpunished as Southampton holds on for 2-1 win over Newcastle
The miracle season of Southampton continued Saturday as the Saints kept possession of third place in the Premier League with a 2-1 victory over Newcastle United at St. James' Park. In the club's latest episode of "Who's That Guy?" the surprising Saints got two goals from Eljero Elia, a Dutch winger who was playing only his second game since joining on loan from Werder Bremen.
Southampton, holding steady with 42 points and unbeaten in its last eight in all competitions, was playing without key players Morgan Schneiderlin, Victor Wanyama and Sadio Mane, but as has been the case for manager Ronald Koeman, someone stepped up and shined, and this time it was the 27-year-old Elia.
But not only are the Saints proving to be good enough to earn a Champions League spot. They're also starting to catch some lucky breaks.
Over a 38-match Premier League season, a club needs a little luck to finish in the top four and Southampton definitely got a call, or non-call, in its favor in stoppage time on Saturday when Jose Fonte's handball in the box did not result in a penalty and a chance for a last-gasp Magpies equalizer.
Emmanuel Riviere's volley attempt just outside the box hit Fonte squarely on his right arm as the match reached the 93rd minute. Referee Robert Madley had a good look at the play, standing no farther than 10 yards away from where ball met arm, but he ignored Newcastle's protests as the Saints held on for the win.
How Madley could not see the handball is anyone's guess. For Newcastle, it was more bad news for a club still reeling from Alan Pardew's sudden departure for Crystal Palace and the inevitable January transfer of its best remaining player, Moussa Sissoko. For Southampton, it's the latest chapter of what is shaping up to be a very special – and unexpected – story.
