‘The quality’: Ward-Prowse explains what is so impressive about Newcastle

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Southampton captain James Ward-Prowse believes the ruthless nature of Newcastle United’s finishing proved to be the difference during Sunday’s 4-1 home defeat to Eddie Howe’s side in the Premier League, speaking to the Saints website.

Ralph Hasenhuttl’s final battle ended with a whimper rather than a roar.

Sacked in the aftermath of a crushing home defeat, the Austrian will be left to rue a lack of quality at both ends of the pitch; a combination of wasteful finishing and slack defending making for a rather bitter cocktail.

Southampton had 56 per cent possession against Newcastle. They mustered 16 shots to the visitors’ seven. But, with an emphatic Magpies side finding the back of the net with every one of their four attempts on target, Southampton’s dearth of attacking quality was always likely to cost them dear against aside with such precision and composure in the final third.

Southampton sack Ralph Hasenhuttl after Newcastle United defeat

“(We are) frustrated. Disappointed. I don’t think we played particularly badly today. I didn’t think we deserved to lose the game 4-1. But we know all about the Premier League and the clinical nature of (the Premier League),” Ward-Prowse sighs.

“When you come up against these sorts of teams and you don’t take your chances, you get punished.

“They had four efforts I think on goal today, and they scored four goals. That says a lot about the quality they have and the clinical nature of this league. We need to take our chances and be tighter at the back. That’s ultimately cost us today.”

A revitalised Miguel Almiron took his tally to seven goals in seven games with a fine solo effort just before half-time. Substitute Chris Wood then added a second with an excellent curling shot, before the outstanding Joe Willock and the masterful Bruno Guimaraes sandwiched a well-taken Romain Perraud consolation.

According to The Athletic, Luton Town boss Nathan Jones is one of the early frontrunners to take Hasenhuttl’s place in the St Mary’s dugout. One-time Schalke and RB Leipzig boss Domenico Tedesco is another on the radar.