NOW UNITY IS TALK OF THE TOON

RAFA BENITEZ hailed Newcastle’s unity – on and off the field – and insisted his players are feeding off the feel-good factor surrounding the club.

The Spaniard’s men were backed by 3,500 fans at St Mary’s, who endured a near 700-mile round journey.

But the team fell just short of giving the Toon Army three points to celebrate with as they made the long trip back to the North East last night.

But there is a positivity around Newcastle right now, which has not always been the case in recent years and Benitez said: “The team spirit is very good. The city, the fans – everybody is behind the team. “You can see the fans supporting the team. The players see that too. We have a lot of people together working very hard

for each other. That is quite positive. You are disappointed because you could win, but happy because it is a point away against a good team.

“We had 3,500 fans on Sunday – a long trip – it was a pity not to give them three points. “I like a lot of things we did, but I am not happy with the goals we conceded. “Overall it was a good performance and a great game and we were strong in the other box, creating chances. I am pleased overall, but we can improve.” Benitez (above) also refused to point the finger at recalled French defender Florian Lejeune for his costly late lapse which gave Southampton the penalty for their equaliser. The Newcastle boss said: “I didn’t see the replay. It seemed from the bench like it was a penalty. “After he could have been the hero with a header. Overall, he has not played since Tottenham and is working very hard. “He is another good player who will give us more options and more competition.” SOUTHAMPTON have only lost one of their last 24 home league matches against Newcastle (W16 D7). THERE were 87 seconds between Southampton’s equaliser and Ayoze Perez restoring Newcastle’s lead at the start of the second half. PEREZ ended a run of 1135 minutes without a Prem goal – his last goal came against Bournemouth in March 2016. MANOLO GABBIADINI scored twice in this match – more than he’d managed in his previous 15 league appearances (1). ISAAC HAYDEN scored his first Prem goal in his eighth appearance in the competition. HAYDEN’S strike was Newcastle’s first in the first half of an away Premier League game since Papiss Cisse against Crystal Palace in November 2015. NO side has been awarded more Prem penalties in 2017 than Southampton (7, level with Bournemouth).