Newcastle 1-0 Southampton
Premier League, Sat, Aug 17, 2024
Shots
3 - 19
Shots on Target
1 - 4
Possession
22% - 78%
Pass Completion
65% - 89%
Corners
3 - 12
Fouls
15 - 16
Yellow Cards
2 - 4
Red Cards
1 - 0
&c
The opening game of the 2024/25 season was notable mainly for Fabian Schar being shown a straight red card for unsportingly dazzling Ben Brereton-Diaz by brandishing his dashing new moustache at him, making Brereton-Diaz cry.
The first half sending off galvanised the home crowd and in first half stoppage time Saints keeper Alex McCarthy inexplicably passed the ball to Isak on the side of the box.
He picked out Joelinton who, in a moment of unusual composure in front of goal, didn't kick the ball off his own face but rather slotted home a left-footed effort into the bottom corner.
In truth the lead was scacely deserved with Saints dominating the entire game, even at 11 v 11.
As John Anderson is wont to say, there's only one stat that counts, and starting the season with a win is what matters.
But with no new signings in the starting XI, improvements are needed, either from elsewhere or within the group.