SAINTS could not find a way past 10-man Newcastle United as their 2024/25 Premier League campaign began with a 1-0 defeat.
Jack Stephens had a goal ruled out for offside early on in the contest before Fabian Schar was given his marching orders.
He was adjudged to have headbutted Ben Brereton Diaz in a tussle, which meant Newcastle played more than 60 minutes a man down.
However, they took the lead through Joelinton when goalkeeper Alex McCarthy gifted the hosts possession before half-time.
Saints toiled but the Newcastle defence stood firm to record a hard-fought victory in their first match of the new season.
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— Alfie House (@AlfieHouseEcho) August 17, 2024
Manager Russell Martin started with the same team that began Southampton's final pre-season game as he selected a Premier League side for the first time.
That meant Brereton Diaz and Yukinari Sugawara made full Saints debuts following their signings from Villarreal and AZ Alkmaar respectively.
Captain Stephens led the team out of the tunnel at St James' Park, while a familiar face lined up opposite with Tino Livramento getting the nod from Eddie Howe.
Saints started brightly and thought they scored the opener inside 10 minutes when Stephens was called offside as he tapped in from close range.
The impressive Will Smallbone and Joe Aribo linked up for the chance, with Aribo squaring across to the Irishman who fired goalward into a crowd.
Newcastle went down to 10 men in controversial circumstances with 60 minutes still to play as Schar saw red for a headbutt on Brereton Diaz.
The Swiss defender escalated a shoving contest when he leaned his head into the face of the Chilean international, but it looked harsh.
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— Alfie House (@AlfieHouseEcho) August 17, 2024
This prompted fury from the home fans and players alike, who tormented Brereton Diaz whenever he touched the ball for the rest of the fixture.
Newcastle had the next laugh when McCarthy passed straight to Alexander Isak, and the Swede squared for Joelinton to finish right before half-time.
Sugawara had impressed in the first 45 minutes but Martin opted to bring the Japanese off for Sam Edozie - switching the system to a 4-3-3.
Saints came out of the traps quickly and Armstrong had a shot cleared off line before Brereton Diaz's goalward rebound was blocked behind.
Armstrong then forced a good save from Nick Pope as Saints piled on sustained pressure - but all their crosses and shots were fiercely fought off.
Martin made two changes with 20 minutes to go, introducing Tyler Dibling for a Premier League debut and new signing Cameron Archer for his Saints bow.
More shots and crosses ricocheted away from the Newcastle box before a further round of changes with just 10 minutes remaining.
Sam Amo-Ameyaw crossed to his fellow substitute, Charly Alcaraz, in the closing stages but Pope got down easily to save the Argentine's header.
Archer then lashed over from inside the box as Saints entered five minutes of additional time - in which Smallbone struck a dangerous free-kick into the wall.
Newcastle United: Pope; Livramento, Schar, Burn, Hall (Kelly, 69); Longstaff, Guimaraes, Joelinton; Murphy (Krafth, 30), Isak, Gordon (Barnes, 69).
Unused subs: Dubravka, Trippier, Targett, Osula, Almiron, Willock.
Booked: Hall, Burn.
Sent off: Schar.
Saints: McCarthy; Sugawara (Edozie, h-t), Harwood-Bellis, Bednarek (Alcaraz, 80), Stephens, Walker-Peters (Amo-Ameyaw, 80); Downes, Smallbone, Aribo (Dibling, 69); Armstrong, Brereton Diaz (Archer, 69).
Unused subs: Lumley, Bree, Wood, Taylor.
Booked: Brereton Diaz, Stephens, Harwood-Bellis, Edozie.
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