Newcastle 1-1 Southampton: 5 Lessons We Learned

A one-all draw usually points to something of a dull game, where chances came and went and no-one could capitalise, of profligate strikers, middle-of-the-road tackles, and managers offering generic platitudes in the aftermath. And sure, that happened at Newcastle-Southampton, but there were a whole host of other incidents which belied the score. There were controversial offsides, a decked referee, outrageous attempts from 30 yards and a brawl in the dugouts which had the crowd up and cheering. It wasn't a game the Premier League would place on the sales presentation to showcase the 'Best League In The World,' but to those not interested in buying a slice of Richard Scudamore's empire, it was one of those games which makes you proud to be British. Not the prettiest, but certainly firey and containing no shortage of passion, intensity and the occasional reducer. Truth be told, it was something of a throwback, and between mercurial playmakers, home-grown talent and staff fisticuffs, there were all sorts of lessons we picked up from watching the Saints throw down (sometimes literally) at St. James' Park.
Contributor
Contributor

Durham University graduate and qualified sports journalist. Very good at sitting down and watching things. Can multi-task this with playing computer games. Football Manager addict who has taken Shrewsbury Town to the summit of the Premier League. You can follow me at @Ed_OwenUK, if you like ramblings about Newcastle United and A Place in the Sun. If you don't, I don't know what I can do for you.