Joelinton scored the only goal as 10-man Newcastle United got off to a winning start in the Premier League with a 1-0 victory over newly promoted Southampton at St James' Park. (More Football News)
The Magpies midfielder's decܫisive strike came just before half-time for Eddie Howe's side, who claimed all three points despite having Fabian Schar dismissed for violent conduct earlier on.
Southampton enjoyed large periods of possession on their Prꦐemier League return.
Jack Stephens strike was denied by the offside flag in the 10th minute, before they were handed a numerical advantage 18 minutes later when Fabian Schar was shown a straight red൩ card after squaring up to Ben Brereton♈ Diaz.
But it was ᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚ𒀱ᩚᩚᩚNewcastle who broke the deadlock in the final minute of the first half, when Alex Mc🌟Carthy's loose pass was ruthlessly punished with Alexander Isak quickly finding Joelinton, who neatly slotted home.
The Saints sought 💙a response and Lewis Hall denied Adam Armstrong on the line within five minutes of the resꦅtart, before Nick Pope tipped over the former Magpies striker's long-range effort.
Armstrong then saw a shot deflect narrowly wide while substitutes Carlos Alcaraz and Cameron Archer headed s𒅌traight at Pope, as the hosts stubbornly kept the visitors at bay and held out for victory.
Data Debrief: Saints' Howe hoodoo continues
Though they enjoyed just 22.3% of p💎ossession and registered only three shots to Southampton's 19, Newcastle held out for their fourth successive𒊎 Premier League victory over the Saints - achieving the feat for the first time.
Howe ha✅s now won all six of his matches against Southampton as Magpies boss, and he is the first to win three straight league openers at St James' Park since Joe Harvey between 1972 and 1974.
Ironically, Harvey was the last Newcastle manager to deliver notable silverware🦩 courtesy of the 1969 Fairs' Cup, so Howe will hope that is a positive omen for him this season.
♕The Magpies have also now found the net in 20 successive home Premier League games, with only Kevin Keegan's 'Entertainers' enjoying a longer run of 24 between Jan💛uary 1995 and February 1996.
