CARROLL STINGING
Legend Andy inspires Toon fightback but Saints boss Hasenhuttl fumes: We were only ones playing football
ANDY CARROLL created mayhem, frightened defenders, lifted a flat St James’ Park... and helped turn this game on its head.
Newcastle were stumbling to defeat, lacking energy and control. Outplayed by a hard-running, creative Southampton side, who had missed chances.
Then, in the 59th minute, Steve Bruce summoned the 6ft4in Geordie striker, signed on a free transfer last summer, from the bench.
The crowd growled their approval, and the struggling men in black and white fed off the energy he created.
Trailing to Danny Ings’ 52nd-minute goal, Toon, somehow, battled their way to a win.
Low on quality, high on spirit, with bodies flying in to make blocks, this was a triumph of guts over guile.
Saints boss Ralph Hasenhuttl had a point when he said: “Football is sometimes not fair. I saw only my team playing football today.” But it’s now four wins in six games for Bruce’s men, who climbed to 10th in the Premier League.
It’s also 17 points from a possible 27, since being thrashed 5-0 by Leicester at the end of September, and the crisis meeting that galvanised the club.
The lowest Tyneside league crowd for nine years witnessed struggling £40million Joelinton subbed and demoralised.
Carroll immediately added missing aggression and his team-mates followed his lead. He grabbed his second assist of the week, once again setting up Jonjo Shelvey.
The striker retrieved a deep Shelvey cross, whipped in a superb ball to the back post, and the United skipper was on hand to head home his fifth of the campaign.
Newcastle built a head of steam, unrecognisable from a timid first hour, and the winner came with two minutes left.
After 15 minutes of possession and probing, sub Sean Longstaff came off the bench and smashed a skidding, long-range shot which Alex McCarthy spilled.
The unlikely figure of Federico Fernandez pounced on the loose ball at the back post and scored. “Two shots on target, two goals,” grumbled Hasenhuttl.
Saints threw away what could have – and should have – been their third consecutive win.
They were in control when Ings delivered a cool finish, the fifth consecutive game in which he has scored. Ings has bagged 10 in his last 11 in all competitions, and is building an impressive season, despite his side’s struggles.
Last-gasp match winner Fernandez said: “The three points means a lot for us. Everyone is happy. We need to enjoy this period and build a winning mentality.”