Southampton vs Newcastle match report: Graziano Pelle’s double piles pressure on Alan Pardew as Saints run riot

Southampton 4 Newcastle 0: Fans vent their fury at embattled Newcastle manager after Southampton’s Italian signing makes a striking impression

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With 20 minutes gone and Newcastle United already 2-0 down, the travelling fans began singing “You’re getting sacked in the morning” to their embattled manager, Alan Pardew. Frankly, it was difficult to see him lasting that long.

Reportedly given two matches to save his job, his magic number is down to one after Saints’ second successive victory. Newcastle are without a league win and will surely have to beat Hull City at St James’ Park next weekend if Pardew is to remain the second longest-serving manager in the Premier League behind Arsenal’s Arsène Wenger.

The stadium that was once Pardew’s home ground has offered him few comforts since he was sacked in August 2010 despite laying the foundations for the Hampshire club’s return to the top flight after the traumas of administration and relegation to League One. Newcastle suffered a 2-0 defeat here during the 2012-13 campaign and a 4-0 thrashing last season.

Before turning their attention to Pardew yesterday, some Newcastle fans had suggested that Saints were in danger of relegation after their summer of sales, but they have not been paying attention. The home side offered further proof that Ronald Koeman has rebuilt their squad with astute signings. “We had a great start, high tempo, and we didn’t give them the time to build up,” he said.

Graziano Pelle scored twice early on and contributed to a very uncomfortable afternoon for the defenders. After six minutes, the defence were caught dozing as Saints took a throw-in on the left, allowing Ryan Bertand to cross for Pelle to head home. After 19 minutes they conceded a goal that was even more of an embarrassment, although not only to the hapless Geordies.

When Mike Williamson’s attempt at a headed clearance sent the ball straight up in the air, Pelle’s attempt at a volleyed shot from 25 yards was so wayward that it became a pinpoint pass out to Dusan Tadic on the left. But although the defence could claim to have been wrong-footed, they failed to react as Tadic rolled the ball back for Pelle to tap in.

Williamson, a former Southampton junior, then inexplicably left a forward pass from Steve Davis to Krul. Jack Cork intercepted and slid the ball into the vacant goal.

Morgan Schneiderlin curled in a fourth in injury time after a move that Koeman estimated had involved 38 passes. At the final whistle a fan had to be intercepted by stewards before he could confront Pardew.

Line-ups:

Southampton (4-2-1-3): Forster; Clyne, Fonte, Alderweireld, Bertrand; Cork, Schneiderlin; S Davis; Long, Pelle, Tadic.

Newcastle (4-2-3-1): Krul, Janmaat, Coloccini, Williamson, Haidara; Anita, Colback; Sissoko, Cabella, Gouffran; Riviere.

Referee: Chris Foy

Man of the match: Pelle (Southampton)

Match rating: 7/10.