Drab affair as Southampton and Newcastle play out predictable goalless draw
For long spells, this was as bad a game as the statistics suggested it would be.
Newcastle were enduring their worst start to a season since 1898 whilst Southampton seem to have forgotten how to win at home.
Goals always appeared a long shot, given that both sides had managed just six of them in nine games and Newcastle failed to score with any of their 27 shots in the 1-0 home defeat to Brighton.
The only three chances of note in a dismal first period fell Southampton’s way.
The first came in the third minute when Ryan Betrand’s skewed effort fell into the path of Mohamed Elyounoussi but his effort was blocked by Martin Dubravka, rushing from his line.
The second, five minutes before half-time when Mario Lemina attempted to convert Betrand’s low cross but was foiled by the Magpies’ Slovakian keeper at his near post.
Then, in the last action of the half, Jack Stephens headed Bertrand’s corner low to the right of goal and again Dubravka was equal to it.
Newcastle had only won on one of their previous 25 visits to Southampton and their own goal threat here was non-existent.
With little entertainment on offer, those supporters hardy enough to have made the long trip busied themselves by alternating verses of support for Rafa Benitez and opprobrium for Mike Ashley.
Saints continued to press for an unlikely looking breakthrough in the second half. Danny Ings and Nathan Redmond looked the plausible sources and Mark Hughes replaced Charlie Austin with Manolo Gabbiadini in an attempt to offer a greater threat.
He wasn’t able to provide and Saints can now contemplate a trip to Leicester in the League Cup on Tuesday before a more daunting one to the Etihad Stadium next weekend.
Newcastle will hope home fixtures against Watford and Bournemouth might yield a greater points return.
The Saints did manage to string together one fluid move but after excellent work from Cedric Soares and Gabbiadini, the chance fell the way of goal-shy Irishman Shane Long.
He dragged his effort wide and for both clubs, this afternoon will not live long in the memory.
