Newcastle United

Newcastle v Southampton: The pick of the stats, published at08:55

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• This match was the first Premier League encounter to see both sides score in the 90th minute or later and end in a draw since Watford and Leicester City drew 1-1 in June 2020.

• James Ward-Prowse’s penalty for Southampton (95'51) was the latest goal conceded by Newcastle in the Premier League since exact goal times have been available (2006-07).

• Newcastle have picked up just one point from their opening three league games of 2021-22; only in 1999-2000 have they had fewer from their first three matches of a Premier League campaign.

Frustration for the Magpies - but a point on the board, published at07:37

Matthew Raisbeck, BBC Radio Newcastle

VAR has now intervened five times in three Premier League matches to give key decisions against Newcastle.

But, unlike the penalties they conceded against West Ham and Aston Villa, United had no complaints over the decision to award a spot kick after Jamaal Lascelles’ tackle on Adam Armstrong in added time.

After retaking the lead in the 90th minute through Allan Saint-Maximin, the failure to win the match was hugely frustrating. But, on the balance of play, Newcastle were probably fortunate to come away with a point because they were second-best for much of this game.

The fans did not think much of what they were seeing and there were boos at the end of each half. Some also made their feelings clear about the manager, with the loudest chanting against Steve Bruce since he took charge.

Bruce was particularly unhappy with a poor first-half performance, when they stood off Southampton and were wasteful in possession.

The second half wasn’t brilliant, but it was better, and United scored two well-crafted goals.

No victory in four games in league and cup, but the Magpies do at least have a point on the board. After the international break, they go to Manchester United.

Manager reaction – what Steve Bruce had to say after draw with Southampton, published at17:46 28 August

Newcastle boss Steve Bruce, speaking to BBC MOTD: "After watching it back, I think it is the right decision but it was a charade for VAR to give it. In my opinion this needs to be addressed.

"We did turn it around. We didn't play anywhere near good enough in the first half. Second half we showed much better to get on the ball to have the courage to go forward and play forward. It was much better second half.

"In my opinion we have taken the lead twice and deserved to go on and win it. We've now given three penalties away and it's cost us badly.

"You are always at your most vulnerable when you score. We have scored with two or three minutes to play and haven't seen it through. That's disappointing - of course it is - but the decision has gone against us. We just have to take it and stop making these decisions that give penalties away.

"It's tough to take, a penalty decided by VAR, and we are all bitterly disappointed."

Newcastle v Southampton: Confirmed team news, published at14:12 28 August

There's just one change from the Newcastle side that lost 2-0 to Aston Villa last time out in the Premier League. In comes Sean Longstaff for his first Premier League start of the season.

He replaces Isaac Hayden, who came off in the Villa game with a knee issue.

Newcastle XI: Woodman, Murphy, Schar, Lascelles, Fernandez, Ritchie, Willock, Longstaff, Almiron, Wilson, Saint-Maximin. 

Subs: Clark, Joelinton, Lewis, Hendrick, Krafth, Manquillo, Fraser, Gillespie, Gayle. 

There's two changes for Southampton as in come Kyle Walker-Peters and Mohamed Elyounoussi, who makes his first Premier League start for the Saints.

He scored a hat-trick in the Carabao Cup rout of Newport.

Southampton XI: McCarthy, Walker-Peters, Stephens, Salisu, Livramento, Elyounoussi, Romeu, Ward-Prowse, Djenepo, Adam Armstrong, Adams.

Subs: Redmond, Perraud, Broja, Tella, Diallo, Walcott, Bednarek, Valery, Forster.

Lawro's predictions: Newcastle v Southampton, published at17:32 27 August

Mark Lawrenson takes on Tom McFarland, co-founder of soul collective Jungle, for the third Premier League predictions of the season.

image sourceBBC Sport

Lawro's prediction: 2-1

Newcastle have lost both of their games so far and it seems as though the wagons are circling around Steve Bruce. They were knocked out of the Carabao Cup on penalties by Burnley in midweek too. This is a massive game for him - and although I don't usually get excited after only three games, it is one that Bruce definitely needs to win.

But the Magpies have always got a positive result under Bruce when they have needed it, just when the Geordie nation are asking for the manager to be sacked. He is tough enough though, having had to deal with the pressure and flak since walking in to the club on day one.

Once Manchester United got back to 1-1 against Southampton on Sunday, you felt they might have crumbled but in fact Adam Armstrong had the best chance of the game to win it for them. They were really good but struggle to keep a lead, having gone in front against Everton too.

Tom's prediction: Newcastle's defence is pretty sloppy but I don't think Southampton have got the firepower to do enough damage to them. 2-1

Find out how Lawro and Tom think the rest of this week's fixtures will go

Team news: Newcastle v Southampton, published at16:30 27 August

Newcastle's Allan Saint-Maximin should be fit after a foot problem while Paul Dummett is back following a calf issue.

Boss Steve Bruce says it is "touch and go" whether Isaac Hayden, who has a knee injury, will be fit to play.

Southampton midfielder Stuart Armstrong is out with a calf problem while long-term absentee Will Smallbone remains sidelined by a knee injury.

Manager Ralph Hasenhuttl is likely to rotate his line-up after Saints' record 8-0 away win at Newport in midweek.

Who makes your Newcastle team this weekend?

Pick and share your Saints XI here

Newcastle need a victory this weekend, published at12:51 27 August

Matthew Raisbeck, BBC Radio Newcastle

After two Premier League defeats and elimination from the Carabao Cup, Newcastle and Steve Bruce need a victory this weekend.

While results so far have been disappointing, Bruce feels his players haven’t always got what they deserved, and says “some positive things” have come out of their games.

They were certainly good in the first half against West Ham, started well at Aston Villa, and had enough chances to beat Burnley in midweek, before losing on penalties.

The Magpies boss made nine changes for that cup match and, despite being impressed by some of those who came into the side, is likely restore most of his first-choice players to the starting XI.

The fear is that former striker Adam Armstrong will come back to haunt his old club. Armstrong came through Newcastle’s academy and made his debut at 17. But, after 21 appearances and four separate loan moves, was sold to Blackburn in 2018 when Rafael Benitez was manager.

Bruce on Longstaff departure, loans & returning players, published at11:07 27 August

Matthew Raisbeck, BBC Radio Newcastle

Steve Bruce has been speaking to the media before Saturday’s home match against Southampton.

Here are the key lines from the Newcastle head coach:

• Midfielder Matty Longstaff is poised to join Scottish Premiership side Aberdeen on loan;

• Bruce says it is still possible Newcastle could make a loan signing before Tuesday’s transfer deadline but they need to make room in their squad, first. He reiterated there is no money left in the budget for any permanent deals;

• Midfielder Isaac Hayden and defender Paul Dummett could return from injuries;

• Former United striker Adam Armstrong, who joined Southampton this summer, is likely to face his old club. Newcastle sold Armstrong to Blackburn in 2018, and Bruce says “the previous manager [Rafael Benitez] obviously thought he wasn’t quite ready” but Armstrong has “certainly matured” over the past few seasons.

Newcastle release 2021-22 third kit , published at10:37 27 August

Hear from the Magpies boss on Friday, published at09:00 27 August

Newcastle United boss Steve Bruce is due to speak to the media at 09:30 BST on Friday.

Catch up with all the best lines from his news conference on this page afterwards.

Follow Friday’s Premier League manager news conferences and transfer latest here

Ritchie providing chances, published at15:33 26 August

Newcastle's Matt Ritchie has created nine chances for his team-mates in the first two Premier League games of the season, a tally bettered by only Liverpool's Trent Alexander-Arnold (10).

The Magpies face Southampton on Saturday and Ritchie could become the first Newcastle player to create four or more chances in three consecutive Premier League games since Moussa Sissoko in October 2015.

image sourceBBC Sport

Newcastle v Southampton: Last time out, published at12:36 26 August

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Newcastle host Southampton in the Premier League on Saturday - but what happened when the two teams last met in the top flight?

In February, Newcastle beat Southampton 3-2 despite playing the last 18 minutes with nine men, as Miguel Almiron scored twice for the hosts at St James' Park.

Joe Willock gave the hosts a perfect start, steering in Allan Saint-Maximin's cutback to open the scoring on his debut, before Almiron doubled their lead with a shot that deflected off Saints defender Jan Bednarek.

The Paraguay winger then restored Newcastle's two-goal advantage after Takumi Minamino lashed in a brilliant debut goal for Southampton.

James Ward-Prowse's wonderful free-kick had given the visitors hope of rescuing a point even before Hendrick was sent off for two bookings, but a resilient Newcastle clung on.

The result meant Southampton lost five consecutive top-flight games for the first time since September 1998.

Newcastle v Southampton: Head-to-head stats, published at11:31 26 August

• Newcastle have lost just one of their last 16 home Premier League games against Southampton (W12 D3), going down 2-1 in January 2015. The Magpies have won their last four home Premier League matches against the Saints.

• Newcastle have won 14 Premier League home games against Southampton – their best record against a single opponent at St James’ Park.

• Since Ralph Hasenhuttl took charge in December 2018, Southampton have dropped 62 points from winning positions in the Premier League, at least 12 more than any other side in that time.

Newcastle v Southampton: Who makes your Magpies team?, published at10:43 26 August

Newcastle welcome Southampton in the third round of Premier League fixtures on Saturday, but who will make it into Steve Bruce's starting XI?

You'll be able to pick - and share on social media - your own line-up for every Premier League game throughout the campaign.

It's up to you how to approach it - you could go for the team you WANT the boss to pick or the one you THINK he will.

Either way, it's time to choose your Newcastle team to face Southampton

Bruce pleased with 'excellent' display despite defeat, published at08:29 26 August

Newcastle manager Steve Bruce said he was pleased with his side’s “excellent” performance - despite losing to Burnley on penalties in the Carabao Cup second round.

The Magpies lost the shootout 4-3 after Allan Saint-Maximin and Miguel Almiron saw their spot-kicks saved by Burnley goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey.

"We all know penalties are a lottery and they can go either way,” said Bruce.

"If you want to be critical we've missed big, big chances, and at this level against a Premier League team you've got to take them.

"But we're not having any luck at the minute. We've got to keep bashing away and I'm sure it'll change."

EFL Cup: 'We'll be very, very strong', published at10:41 25 August

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Newcastle are one of five teams yet to pick up a point after two Premier League games, and Wednesday night's Carabao Cup meeting (19:45 BST) with Burnley offers another chance for Steve Bruce's side to get themselves up and running in the new season.

Despite the winless start, Bruce does not expect to make any permanent signings before the end of the transfer window - though a loan deal is a possibility.

"There is still a little bit of work to do but it has been difficult for all the clubs all summer," Bruce said. "I have never known it so quiet and difficult for a lot of clubs with finances."

The Newcastle boss plans to rotate for the cup tie, though Freddie Woodman will remain in goal as first-choice goalkeepers Martin Dubravka (foot) and Karl Darlow (coronavirus) remain unavailable. Midfielders Jonjo Shelvey (calf) and Isaac Hayden (knee) are also out.

"We will be making changes because I've got a lot of lads that need to play and get some minutes under their belt. It is the ideal opportunity but we will be very, very strong."