Before Newcastle recorded their 2-1 win over Southampton last night, Ralph Hasenhuttl was keen to voice his displeasure.
The Austrian bemoaned the fact that Newcastle are now a different side to the one he expected to play on January 2nd, following a busy winter transfer window.
As quoted by The Times, Hasenhuttl said: “It is strange now to concentrate on a game you should have played two months ago against a completely different team.”
In light of those comments, the 54-year-old will have surely been fuming to lose the game as a result of goals from two new signings in Chris Wood and Bruno Guimaraes – both of whom weren’t at Newcastle on January 2nd.
Whoever was in charge of the speakers at St Mary’s last night also seemed to agree with Hasenhuttl…
What’s the story?
Well, according to Tom Barclay, Southampton played a number of money-related songs at half-time last night, in what was a less-than-subtle dig at Newcastle and their newfound wealth.
The Saints played Price Tag, Money Talks and Can’t Buy Me Love during half-time, as they backed Hasenhuttl’s complaints.
In our view, the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia (PIF) won’t have appreciated that, nor Amanda Staveley and Mehrdad Ghodoussi.
That may have actually fired the Magpies up, as Bruno Guimaraes scored what turned out to be the winner just seven minutes after the end of half-time.
Newcastle showed resilience against Southampton
The Magpies weren’t at their best on the south coast last night, as they had just 32% of the possession, and eight shots to Southampton’s 14 (WhoScored).
However, Eddie Howe will be pleased with the resilience on show from his players last night.
Newcastle never looked rattled after going 1-0 down, and quickly responded seven minutes later thanks to Wood.
There is a sturdiness to the side under Howe, something that was never on show under Steve Bruce.
Newcastle will take mockery from their Premier League rivals all day long, if it means they keep picking up wins.
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