Toon Army back Benitez as Newcastle scrape off bottom
SOUTHAMPTON 0 NEWCASTLE UNITED 0
Rafael Benitez insisted Newcastle’s goalless draw at Southampton was a point gained despite their winless start to the season extending to 10 matches.
Benitez’s side continue to set unwanted club records for their poorest start to a campaign and they never looked likely to break their win duck on the south coast.
But they were able to pick up a third point of the season – and actually climb off the foot of the table – thanks to some dogged defending and wayward finishing
from a Southampton team who are almost as poor.
“We have to consider where we are and where Southampton are,” said Benitez, who retains the support of the travelling Toon fans who sung his name, while once again going through their repertoire of unpleasantries towards owner Mike Ashley.
“They were pushing hard in the second half and we had to defend and I have to take the positives; a point and a clean sheet away.
“In terms of work-rate and team spirit I can’t complain about that. We have to be a little bit better on the ball, but both teams were anxious.
“It’s important for us to have the fans behind us. The fans realise it’s a difficult situation and they got behind the team.”
Saints have now not scored in the league for over a month, yet it was not for the want of trying in a one-sided match desperately low on quality.
Ryan Bertrand’s early shot from the edge of the area cannoned into the path of Mohamed Elyounoussi, whose effort from an angle was kept out by a sharp save from Martin Dubravka.
Danny Ings then found Nathan Redmond on the corner of the area but the winger hurried his shot and the ball flew over.
Ings tried to flick Redmond’s low cross home but did not get a firm enough contact. The on-loan Liverpool striker claimed he was impeded as he went for the ball but referee Chris Kavanagh disagreed.
Moments later Bertrand’s cross was turned on to the outside of a post by Mario Lemina as Southampton began to build up a head of steam before half-time.
In a strong finish to the half from the hosts, Elyounoussi curled narrowly wide and Dubravka got down well to keep out a downward header from Jack Stephens.
Newcastle, to their credit, put their bodies on the line after the break when Ings’ shot was bravely blocked by Federico Fernandez and Paul Dummett threw himself in front of Redmond’s drive.
Yet with two minutes to go substitute Shane Long should have scored the winner, only to sidefoot wide to ensure Saints equalled an unwanted record of their own, having now gone five home games without a win from the beginning of the season.
“It’s disappointing once again in respect of not getting what we deserved, we had 22 shots and we weren’t able to convert any,” said Southampton manager Mark Hughes. “Newcastle came here and every time we tried to press they were looking to turn us around. It’s difficult to maintain momentum when people are constantly knocking the ball over the top.
“At the end of the day it’s back-toback clean sheets, but at the top end of the pitch we need to start scoring goals.
“Clearly we are creating chances, right at the death we had a good chance for Shane, but sometimes you need something to go in off someone’s backside.”