Dyer's world in tatters as Saints' stroll turns ugly

Yesterday's announcement that Newcastle United's highly promising midfielder Kieron Dyer had withdrawn from England's World Cup squad with knee ligament damage caused by Tahar El Khalej's merciless tackle raised questions over whether, almost on the eve of departure, any of them should have been playing in meaningless league matches. But it was Dyer himself who insisted on appearing.

England's concern was mirrored by that of Newcastle's manager, Bobby Robson, not simply out of sympathy for a player who has had more than his share of injury setbacks but because he knew that the match was of such little consequence. However, it emerged that the former England manager had discussed with Dyer the possibility of opting out, yet the 23-year-old would not hear of it. Ironically, Dyer said that not only would that be unfair on his colleagues but that another match would improve his fitness.

If Dyer need not have played, equally El Khalej's tackle need never have happened. With Newcastle already qualified for the Champions' League and Southampton at last in the Premiership's comfort zone, few spoils were on offer. Not only that, Dyer had been more or less anonymous in a first half that Robson admitted made Newcastle look as if even pride was not a priority.

Then, in the second, Dyer sparked into life with some of those powerful, quick breaks that cause defenders to panic. Certainly El Khalej did just that, the Moroccan scything Dyer down when he seemed about to cut into the penalty area from the right. Even Southampton's manager, Gordon Strachan, said he had no hesitation in agreeing with referee Andy D'Urso's decision to hand out a straight red card.

Previously there had hardly been a tackle raised in anger. After Marian Pahars had his cross-shot knocked in by Anders Svensson and Shay Given ridiculously brought down Brett Ormerod to give James Beattie a penalty, Alan Shearer managed to snaffle up a goal after Laurent Robert's cross shot bounced off Neil Moss. Southampton then slightly lost their confidence and the control that had been so comfortably gained in a lethargic first half.

The 'incident' shortly after Shearer's goal turned a pleasant stroll into something approaching a running battle with Newcastle leading the charge against the 10 men. Almost inevitably, they finally got caught with most of their troops upfield as Paul Telfer broke away to chip Given, which added insult to injury.

Southampton 3 Newcastle United 1

Goals: Svensson (17) 1-0; Beattie pen (24) 2-0; Shearer (55) 2-1; Telfer (90) 3-1.

Southampton (4-3-3): Moss 5; Dodd 6, Lundekvam 6, El Khalej 5, Bridge 6; Telfer 6, Svensson 6 (Fernandes 5, 70), Delap 6; Pahars 7 (Monk 5, 60), Beattie 7, Ormerod 6 (Tessem 6, 62). Substitutes not used: Bevan (gk), Le Tissier.

Newcastle United (4-4-2): Given 5; Hughes 6, Dabizas 5, Distin 5, Bernard 6; Solano 6, Dyer 6 (Jenas 5, 59) Speed 6, Robert 6; Shearer 5, LuaLua 5. Substitutes not used: Harper (gk), Kerr, O'Brien, Cort.

Referee: A D'Urso (Billericay) 8.

Booking: Newcastle United: Dabizas. Sending off: Southampton: El Khalej

Man of the match: Beattie.

Attendance: 31,973.