Southampton players will be licking their wounds this morning after a frustrating defeat against Newcastle United to kick off the Premier League season.
Few gave Russell Martin’s side a chance as Southampton travelled to St James’ Park on Saturday afternoon.
However, the Saints proved one or two people wrong with the way they played through the Newcastle press, trusting the principles that had got them to the Premier League.
Southampton were boosted by Newcastle going down to ten men after Fabian Schar overstepped the line following an altercation with Ben Brereton Diaz on 28 minutes.
Cruelly, Southampton were dealt a crushing blow just before half-time as goalkeeper Alex McCarthy showed what happens when things go wrong playing out from the back, passing straight to Alexander Isak who assisted Joelinton for the only goal of the game.
Despite this, Martin will take confidence from what he saw from his side against Newcastle as he looks to get the first three points of the new season at home to Nottingham Forest next weekend.
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Taylor Harwood-Bellis looks ahead to Nottingham Forest after Newcastle defeat
One player who is getting his first taste of Premier League football this season is Taylor Harwood-Bellis.
The 22-year-old played a key part in helping Burnley to the Championship title in the 2022/23 campaign on loan from Manchester City before earning a second consecutive promotion from the second tier at Southampton in May.
That saw the Saints stump up £20 million to sign Harwood-Bellis permanently this summer and he made his Premier League debut on Saturday; a year later than he probably expected.
Harwood-Bellis put in an assured display and was unlucky to be on the losing team, but posted a reassuring message to supporters on Instagram on Sunday.
The centre-back posted a picture of himself from the game with the caption: “Deserved more yesterday, on to Saturday back at home.”
Yukinari Sugawara reacts to Harwood-Bellis Instagram post
Another player who made his Premier League debut yesterday was Yukinari Sugawara.
Southampton paid AZ Alkmaar £5.88 million to sign the Japan international and he already looks a player destined to be a fan favourite with his surges down the right from full-back.
With Newcastle down to ten men, Martin made the decision to sacrifice one of his defenders and it was Sugawara who was the victim of this despite an impressive first-half display.
- READ MORE: Why Southampton ace Yuki Sugawara was substituted v Newcastle as Russell Martin explains decision
The right wingback was replaced by winger Samuel Edozie as Southampton looked to take the game to Newcastle but they were unable to find an equaliser.
Sugawara was left impressed by the performance of team-mate Harwood-Bellis, responding to his Instagram post with flame emojis.
The pair will hope to resume their relationship on the right side of the Southampton defence against Forest where three points could prove crucial come the end of the season.