A six-goal thriller, a Brazilian wonder strike, a double from a name synonymous with Sunderland and a ferocious French FA Cup blast . . . Newcastle travel to Southampton on Sunday off the back of some memorable modern-era visits to the South Cost.
Here are five of the best United’s trips to Saint Mary’s since the stadium opened in 2001.
Southampton 0-1 Newcastle, March 2020
In the final match fans could attend before the Covid-19 lockdown, the enthralling Allan Saint-Maximin secured victory for the visitors 10 minutes before full-time. As well as pushing Newcastle up to 13th in the Premier League table and eight points above relegation, a eventful day saw VAR deployed twice, and a penalty saved.
The hosts were reduced to 10 men after half-an-hour thanks to a brutal Moussa Djenepo tackle on Isaac Hayden. And just before half-time, Newcastle were awarded a penalty for a handball on Sofiane Boufal, but Alex McCarthy saved Matt Ritchie’s spot kick.
But just as a goalless draw appeared likely, Saint-Maximin robbed Yann Valery and fired past McCarthy to give United their third consecutive victory over the Saints.
Southampton 2-2 Newcastle, October 2017
Southampton came from behind twice in a game which saw Isaac Hayden put the visitors ahead with a great strike that left United old boy Fraser Forster flat-footed. Manolo Gabbiadini – no relation to Sunderland legend Marco – fired home an equaliser four minutes into the second half, only for Ayoze Perez restored the lead, scoring at the second attempt, a minute later.
But just as Newcastle’s sights seemed set on three points, Gabbiadini stepped up to bag his brace from the penalty spot, after Florian Lejeune brought down Shane Long in the area.
Southampton 1-2 Newcastle, March 2022
Newcastle recorded just their third away win of the season, but went 10 points clear of the Premier League relegation zone, thanks to Chris Wood and Bruno Guimaraes’ first goals for United. A header from Wood cancelled out Stuart Armstrong’s opener to send the teams into the break at 1-1.
But the second half belonged to Bruno, whose remarkable backheel flicked finish in front of the travelling fans gave Newcastle a 52nd-minute lead which was maintained thanks to two Martin Dubravka saves. And a legend was born . . .
Southampton 0-3 Newcastle, January 2004 (FA Cup)
A brace from Kieron Dyer and a left-footed piledriver from Laurent Robert sent the 2003 finalists crashing out of the FA Cup, and gave the Magpies their first victory at Southampton since 1972. Former Saints striker Alan Shearer had a number of chances, the most notable when he agonisingly flicked an effort just over the bar.
But a dominant performance from Sir Bobby Robson’s side saw goalkeeper Shay Given rarely troubled as they marched into round four. Aaron Hughes and Nobby Solano combined to set up Dyer for the opener just before the half-hour mark, before Robert’s rasping shot deflected in off Saints keeper Antti Niemi to double the lead.
Dyer then raced on to a Shearer flick, midway through the second half, to put the tie beyond doubt.
Southampton 3-3 Newcastle, May 2004
A six-goal thriller on the South Coast saw six different goalscorers on a memorable night at St Mary’s which provided Newcastle with both European frustration and consolation. An end-to-end affair saw goals from Shola Ameobi and Lee Bowyer and a last-gasp equaliser from Darren Ambrose earn a point which ended United’s hopes of Champions League football, but virtually secured them a UEFA Cup place for the following campaign.
Southampton twice came back from a goal down before half-time, as James Beattie forced home a rebound and Titus Bramble deflected the ball into his own net. Ameobi had lashed home an early opener, and Bowyer had then restored Newcastle’s lead in the 35th minute.
The Saints looked to have clinched three points when substitute Leandre Griffit went clear in the 88th minute, and finished through the legs of Shay Given. But there was still time for Ambrose to fire home from a half-cleared corner, and earn United a point.
READ NEXT
The Joelinton landmark nobody noticed against Aston Villa
How Joelinton has shown us he is the true competitor
Newcastle have already found one of the best players that Allan Saint-Maximin has ever seen
Sven Botman issues scary Premier League warning amid verdict on facing Harry Kane and Son Heung-min
Newcastle United to issue 'hands off' stance on Bruno Guimaraes amid Chelsea and Real Madrid talk
