Southampton vs Newcastle United. Premier League.
St. Mary's StadiumAttendance30,736.
Report and highlights as Saints are held by Magpies
Saturday 27 October 2018 18:22, UK
Newcastle earned a battling point at Southampton to move off the foot of the Premier League table as two teams bereft of confidence played out a 0-0 draw at St Mary's.
Southampton, who remain 16th and two points outside the relegation zone, came closest to breaking the deadlock with Mohamed Elyounoussi, Mario Lemina and Shane Long all spurning good chances.
The Magpies failed to have a shot on target all game, with a wayward effort from Jonjo Shelvey one of few attempts of any note.
Mark Hughes' Saints have now gone five home games without a goal, while this represented a third goalless draw away from home for Newcastle this season.
There was a humorous moment in the first half when Rafa Benitez accidentally knocked his glasses off, but there was very little the Newcastle boss would have missed in the way of goalmouth action.
Southampton were the brighter side, and should have taken the lead after just three minutes when Ryan Bertrand's mishit shot fell at the feet of Elyounoussi but Newcastle goalkeeper Martin Dubravka did well to smother his shot with Charlie Austin waiting unmarked for the square pass.
Saints were untroubled by their opponents and again came close when Bertrand latched onto Nathan Redmond's pass before finding Lemina, but his flicked effort struck the foot of the near post.
In the third minute of added time at the end of the opening period, Bertrand was again the provider as his corner was met by Jack Stephens, but Dubravka dived to his left to keep out the defender's header.
Southampton signalled their intentions early in the second period as Bertrand's cross found Danny Ings, but his shot was blocked by his own team-mate Austin, summing up Saints recent woes in front of goal.
Shelvey then blazed over, having chopped inside two home defenders, before Austin was correctly penalised for a foul on Dubravka which resulted in his simple finish being chalked off.
Newcastle continued to defend resolutely as both Cedric Soares and Redmond had efforts blocked, and as the game ticked into stoppage time, Long missed a gilt-edged chance from Cedric's cut-back as he dragged his shot wide.
For all of Newcastle's toothlessness going forward against a side not known for their attacking, Lascelles was imperious at the back.
The defender was solid throughout alongside his partner Federico Fernandez as Saints' attempts to create a head of steam in the second half were thwarted by a sea of turquoise shirts marshalled by their captain.
Mark Hughes: "We were the side that was trying to win the game over the 90 minutes. I thought that we had the better chances, and Alex McCarthy hasn't had a shot to save.
"It's back-to-back clean sheets, and that's something we've been working on just to tighten up our defensive platform which will allow us to be a little bit more confident at the top end."
Rafa Benitez: "I think we have to consider the circumstances, going away from home at the bottom of the table, getting a clean sheet and a point.
"They pushed hard in the second half so we did well to keep our clean sheet. A bit of better possession at times would've led to clearer chances, but it was difficult."
Southampton travel to face Leicester at the King Power Stadium in the Carabao Cup fourth round on Tuesday before visiting Manchester City in the Premier League next Sunday.
Newcastle return to St James' Park next Saturday to face Watford.
