'Nonsense' Anthony Gordon to Liverpool suggestion as Newcastle United transfer move comes into focus

They did it, like Newcastle United - at home - know they can.

Backs to the wall, the Magpies pulled out a defensive action that kept newly-promoted Southampton at bay and made sure the expected three points was delivered, even if the circumstances were less than expected.

What did we learn from the encounter? Here’s our five things to take from the 1-0 Joelinton-inspired win.

Joelinton - the beast reborn

He was a HUGE miss at the back end of last season - and Saturday was evidence of that.

Physically he's so unique in this side, and his spirit is unmatched by many at this level. A proper all-action performance, with and without the ball.

And, when he's in the mood, can always pop up with a goal, which he did to flip the game on half-time.

Schar disappointment

Craig Pawson, for me, made a shocking call in red-carding Fabian Schar. I'm no ref, but I'm pulling both of the two players and calling them out for being complete dafties, yellow each. Not a red, that had the potential to kill the game as a contest.

Weirdly, it had the opposite impact, stifling the Saints as an attacking force - they'd ran rings around United 11 v 11 - and brought the crowd right into the game, something I'm sure the visitors would have been keen to avoid.

You can only control the controllables - and if I'm Schar, I'm asking myself why did I even give the ref a decision to make?

How did we end up here so soon?

It was my biggest worry in pre-season, if Emil Krafth has to play too much at centre-half, something has gone seriously wrong at Newcastle United.

And just half an hour into the first game of the new - yes, new - Premier League campaign, it arrived. A makeshift central defender alongside Dan Burn.

If anything, with Fabian Schar facing three games out due to his red card, it has to force a defensive move in the market. Newcastle don't just want a centre-half, it is now undoubtedly essential.

Gordon rust

It's clear to see it's been a long year or two for Anthony Gordon. He looked a shadow of his usual self out on the left and up top when shifted inside.

His time will come again, there is no doubt about that, but he definitely looks like he needs some more minutes under his belt before we see him charging about causing Premier League defences havoc.

I had a couple of messages suggesting the Liverpool interest might have affected his performance, but I think that is nonsense. It is player who has played 45 minutes in pre-season.

Nothing about body language suggested his head had been turned, although it is hard to know if that was the case.

The Howe sub that changed it all

It’s fair to say Lewis Hall had a tough day at the office. It happens. This game was never suited to his style, the minute Newcastle went down to 10.

On the back foot, having to defend wave after wave, he was given a bit of a run-around as legs grew tired.

This was, however, a game for new boy Lloyd Kelly, whose defensive game outweighs his attacking one - a complete role reversal to Hall’s strengths.

Fair play to Howe for sniffing the danger, and using his squad well, when required. He definitely has a decision to make now, heading to former club Bournemouth in seven days time. Defensive Kelly or attacking Hall? They’re decent options to have.