SAN FRANCISCO, November 07, (THEWILL) – English Premier League side Southampton defeated Newcastle United 2-0 on Friday to move to the top of the Premier League for the first time ever in their history.
Centre forward Che Adams and Stuart Armstrong struck in each half at St Mary’s to chalk up a straightforward victory for Ralph Hasenhuttl’s men.
Seconds after testing Newcastle keeper Karl Darlow with a brilliant curling strike, Adams netted to give the hosts the lead in just 7 minutes. Midfielder Kyle Walker-Peters and Theo Walcott, working on the wings, combined to rob Newcastle’s Paraguayan right winger Miguel Almiron of possession, and Walcott supplied the cross for Adams to hammer home on the volley.
Walcott, in place of the injured centre forward Danny Ings, did very well to win the ball back deep in Newcastle’s half and advanced on pace before picking out Adams brilliantly.
The second goal did not come until the 82nd minute. Armstrong robbed Newcastle central midfielder Sean Longstaff of possession and, following some neat footwork, thumped home a brilliant finish.
Southampton’s fifth win in eight matches this term helps them leapfrog Liverpool on goal difference to the summit of the English top flight. It is the first time the Saints have been top of the log since September 1988.
“It’s amazing what my team is doing,” an excited Hasenhuttl said post-match. “Congratulations to everybody around the pitch and the team. It’s amazing.
“Everybody was on the highest level. It is a little scary what we are doing at the moment to be honest but not surprising when I see what we are working on.
“I just told the guys in the dressing room that we invested so much in this together. We made so many big steps forward. We are now a strong side. That is not a coincidence.”
