Goals from Morgan Schneiderlin, Jack Cork and Graziano Pelle ensured Southampton claimed their first home win of the new season with a convincing 4-0 victory over Newcastle at St. Marys on Saturday. Ronald Koeman made a couple of starting changes to his side that beat West Ham last week seeing him choose new signing Toby Aldeweireld in favour of Maya Yoshida and Jack Cork ahead of James Ward Prowse in central midfield. Alan Pardews side, which managed a 3-3 draw against Crystal Palace last weekend, saw Jack Colback returning to full fitness after picking up a calf injury in training that ruled him out of the England vs Switzerland encounter. Saints set off with high energy and nearly found the net after twenty seconds with a chase down by Shane Long from a back pass by Coloccini Krul slammed the ball straight at Long and the ball deflected off the winger, going just wide of the post. Shortly after, Chris Foy waved on a strong penalty claim on Long after Krul came charging out towards edge of the box to break up the Saints attack. Southamptons first goal came in the 6th minute a pin point cross by Bertrand landed flush on to Pelles head - who guided the ball into the top left corner of the net with relative ease. Pelle, who has now scored three goals in four games, claimed his second of the day in the 18th minute when his effort at a long distance shot managed to find Tadic, whom then provided some unselfish link-up play back to Pelle, whom slotted home to give the hosts a seemingly comfortable 2-0 lead. Newcastle suddenly managed to find some space in midfield through Southamptons willingness to give it to them after becoming complacent with the lead. Fraser Forsters reflexes were required to keep the close range efforts of Sissoko and Colback out of the net shortly before half time. Both managers made changes at half-time. Ronald Koeman opted to take off Long with a suspected had injury, replacing him with Wanyama, and Alan Pardew replaced Anita with Tiote. The second half started with far less tempo compared to the first but the game would only have to wait until the 54th minute before the third goal arrived. Some sloppy defending by Michael Williamson gave the green light to Jack Cork to take advantage of the danger area by picking up the ball, manoeuvring around goalkeeper Tim Krul and slotting the ball comfortably into an empty net. Newcastle, whose three-thousand disgruntled travelling away fans were calling out loud and clear for the sacking of Alan Pardew by this point, managed to muster up some brief fighting spirit towards the end phases of the second half. A triumvirate of close range efforts by Riviere, Colback and Sissoko went amiss with the ball finally skimming just past the left post. Another chance quickly arrived with Yoan Gouffran whom headed the ball firmly towards the roof of the net at the far post only to be denied by the big presence of Forster - whom palmed the ball over the bar. Newcastles misery however was to endure furthermore when in the 90th minute some skilful link-up play starting with a Pelle flick on to Prowse found Schneiderlin, whom cut in on his right foot to curl the ball smoothly past Krul, giving the hosts a 4-0 victory. The results put Saints up to 4th in the table and Newcastle down to 20th. It seems Southampton have moved on from their so called summer meltdown but Newcastle seem to actually be going through one right now taking only five points from the last thirty-six on offer. Saints were clinical and efficient and credit should go to them for winning in style, but all eyes are now firmly on the situation surrounding the future of Alan Pardew as Newcastle manager. Pundit Garth Crooks took to Twitter to voice his opinion during the game saying that if Newcastle were to lose by four or five goals then Pardew will not survive the week. After Newcastles performance today, and their current positioning in the table, it seems he might be right.
