NEWCASTLE .................................................................... 0
MATCH STATS
United shoots under pressure from Jack Stephens of Southampton at St Mary’s Stadium Mario Lemina but his toe poke cannoned off the outside of the post in another let-off moment for the Magpies.
Then Jack Stephens sent a towering head towards goal but Dubravka ended the first period how he started it - with a save.
United were lucky to go in with the scores level after a half in which their goal had lived a charmed life.
The second period failed to start with a bang as both sides struggled to find openings.
Jonjo Shelvey had a sniff on 54 minutes but, after cutting inside, he then fired high over the bar in another moment which lacked quality from the visitors.
Southampton responded when Redmond struck a shot low across the face of goal - but Dubravka gathered well low down.
With 59 minutes played Federico Fernandez put in a vital block to deny Danny Ings.
The Magpies reached the hour mark without managing a shot on target in a contest which lacked quality.
With 64 minutes gone, United were grateful to Paul Dummett when he made a crucial block to deny Redmond before Mo Diame got in the way of Cedric’s follow up. There were 22 minutes left when Rondon came on for Benitez’s first change.
The on-loan West Brom striker replaced Perez, the Spaniard putting in another poor show despite further loyalty from his manager.
Benitez made a second change on 76 minutes as Ki Sung-yueng replaced Diame in the centre of the park.
He was soon joined by Christian Atsu, who replaced the frustrated-looking figure of Muto with the Japanese international often starved of the ball.
United were handed a promising free-kick on the edge of the final third but Ritchie’s cross to the back post was cleared after Fernandez had headed across the six-yard box.
DeAndre Yedlin followed up blasted the ball over the top.
Southampton sub Shane Long - who has a habit of scoring against Newcastle - was then presented with a last-minute chance but thankfully steered it wide.
A nervous finale followed but Newcastle ended the game with a point at St Mary’s and halted a run of three losses.
It was an awful afternoon of football which could barely be classed as entertainment - but if it helps Newcastle stay up Benitez will not care. but