Southampton v Newcastle United Live Commentary & Result, 24/01/2023, League Cup

That's all for today. Thank you for following our live coverage. Until next time, goodbye.

Both sides will do battle again at St James' Park next Tuesday, where the aggregate winners will secure their place at Wembley. Before then, Southampton are in FA Cup fourth-round action at home to Championship side Blackpool on Saturday, with Newcastle enjoying a rest following their surprise third-round defeat to Sheffield Wednesday of League One.

Advantage Newcastle at half-time in this EFL Cup semi-final clash. Joelinton's second-half goal was enough to give the Magpies a narrow lead in this tie. The Brazilian had a first-half strike chalked off, while Willock also spurned a couple of decent opportunities. Former Newcastle striker Armstrong thought he had equalised for Southampton, but VAR ruled out his effort for handball.

90' + 6' FULL-TIME: SOUTHAMPTON 0-1 NEWCASTLE UNITED

M. Salisu

Yellow Card

90' + 5' Salisu drags back Isak and goes into the book.

90' + 5' Guimaraes pulling the strings again with a precise throughball for Isak, who rounds Bazunu, but the angle narrows and he can only find the side-netting.

90' + 2' The Magpies push for a second goal and a patient build-up culminates in Guimaraes finding Murphy, who shoots into the side-netting.

90' + 1' There are going to be five additional minutes at the end of this game. Can Newcastle find a second goal for breathing space ahead of next week's return leg at St James' Park?

89' Trippier goes for goal from distance with an ambitious free-kick. However, it does not dip enough and goes over.

J. Bednarek

K. Walker-Peters

88' The Saints turn straight to the bench and introduce centre-half Bednarek in place of Walker-Peters.

Bruno Guimarães

Yellow Card

86' Yellow Card Bruno Guimarães Rodriguez Moura

86' RED CARD! The Saints are down to 10 men as Caleta-Car receives his marching orders. The centre-half takes out Saint-Maximin, who had embarked on a jinking run towards the edge of the area. He can have no complaints.

A. Saint-Maximin

Yellow Card

84' Saint-Maximin goes into the book for his part in a brief scuffle after Lyanco's foul on Guimaraes.

Lyanco

Yellow Card

84' Lyanco drags back Guimaraes and has his name taken by the referee.

R. Lavia

I. Diallo

82' A change for the Saints sees Lavia introduced to replace Diallo.

80' Relief for Newcastle, whose lead remains intact for now. Tranmere's Elliott Nevitt remains the only player to score against them in this season's EFL Cup, in which they have claimed four clean sheets.

J. Murphy

M. Almirón

78' Newcastle turn to the bench with Almiron replaced by Murphy.

77' NO GOAL! Southampton's joy is short-lived as the referee and VAR rule the ball struck Armstrong's hand on the way into the net. Given the current interpretation of the rules, it is the right decision.

75' ARMSTRONG!!! The former Newcastle striker bundles the ball into the net from Edozie's centre. Southampton celebrate an almost immediate reply. But we are going to VAR...

A. Isak

Assist

73' Isak brilliantly burst away from his marker before putting the ball on a plate for Joelinton.

Joelinton

Goal

73' JOELINTON!!! 1-0 NEWCASTLE! The Magpies strike first! Picking up the ball on the right wing, a wonderful turn of pace sees Isak accelerate away from Caleta-Car. He then flashes the ball into the six-yard area, where Joelinton arrives to apply the finishing touch and send the Toon Army into ecstasy.

72' Following a Newcastle counter, Burn sends a low ball into the box, which Longstaff tries to flick towards goal. However, Southampton block and clear.

K. Trippier

Yellow Card

70' Trippier catches Edozie late and is booked by the referee.

69' We are approaching the last 20 minutes at St Mary's, where we remain goalless. Can either side break through and claim a crucial advantage ahead of next week's second leg.

A. Isak

C. Wilson

68' Isak also enters the fray with Wilson the player to make way.

A. Saint-Maximin

J. Willock

68' Newcastle make a double-change. The first sees Saint-Maximin introduced in place of Willock.

67' POPE DENIES ADAMS AGAIN! Southampton certainly in the ascendancy in the moment and Ward-Prowse's free-kick ricochets kindly for Adams. The striker swivels and hits it on the volley, but Pope gets down well to deny him.

65' CHANCE! Clever moment from Adams sees him lose Schar and race onto a precise throughball. He looks to place his shot into the far corner, but Pope reacts well to block with his foot.

63' Ward-Prowse goes for the spectacular as he connects with Walker-Peters' cross. Although, the Saints skipper is always stretching and is never going to trouble Pope.

61' The noise level of anticipation increases around St Mary's as Edozie breaks away from Trippier. However, his final ball is disappointing and Burn cuts it out.

59' Adams is the competition's joint-top scorer this season with four goals; a tally only matched by Marcus Rashford. He is aiming to become the first Saints player to find the net five times in a single EFL Cup campaign since Matt Le Tissier in 1994-95.

S. Edozie

M. Oršić

57' Substitution Mislav Oršić Samuel Ikechukwu Edozie

C. Adams

S. Mara

57' The other sees Mara make way for Edozie.

57' Armstrong embarks on a strong run and works space for a shot from a tight angle. However, he cannot keep it down.

56' Howe will be pleased that Newcastle are creating these opportunities, but he will hope the Magpies are not made to regret not taking them.

54' The visitors continue to threaten with Almiron getting away from Mara before crossing. Botman connects at the far post, but hits the side-netting from a tight angle.

53' HOW DID HE MISS?! Newcastle should be in front! Another lovely move from the Magpies sees Almiron and Longstaff exchange passes, with the former's cross ricocheting kindly for Joelinton. The Brazilian has the goal at his mercy, but blazes the ball high over the bar.

52' Away from this competition, Newcastle are well on course for a top-four finish in the Premier League. It is exactly 20 years since they last achieved the feat under the late, great Bobby Robson.

50' Following a dogged run into the box by Armstrong, the ball loops high into the area. With headlines in his sight, Mara goes for the spectacular acrobatic effort, but it is not troubling the goal.

49' The Magpies have lost just once in their last 11 meetings with Southampton. That came courtesy of a 2-0 defeat here in November 2020.

47' Once again, Newcastle counter with Almiron's pace proving a real handful for Southampton. He cuts the ball across to the edge of the area, where the onrushing Longstaff is unable to keep his first-time shot down.

46' Southampton get the ball rolling once more in the second half.

It was a generally open first half, albeit lacking that piece of quality required to break the deadlock. Both sides will look to find it when this contest resumes.

Goalless at St Mary's, where Newcastle were the better side and will be disappointed not to lead. Joelinton had the ball in the net, but was denied for handball, while a wasteful Willock fired two decent opportunities over the bar.

45' + 7' HALF-TIME: SOUTHAMPTON 0-0 NEWCASTLE UNITED

A. Armstrong

M. Djenepo

45' + 4' Djenepo is replaced by former Newcastle striker Armstrong, who made 17 appearances for the Magpies at the start of his career.

45' + 3' Djenepo is unable to continue following that collision with Pope, and makes his way over to the touchline.

45' + 1' Concern for Southampton as Djenepo stays down after colliding with Pope, who raced out of goal to prevent the Saints winger from connecting with a long ball over the top. The Newcastle goalkeeper is fortunate to escape without a card.

K. Walker-Peters

Yellow Card

44' Walker-Peters takes too long with a throw-in and has his name taken by the referee.

44' It is now over 14 hours since Pope last conceded a goal. Ironically, it came here courtesy of Southampton's Perraud in that 4-1 rout here in November.

42' Space opens for Alcaraz to try his luck from distance. The debutant imparts plenty of power into his ambitious attempt, and Pope is forced to help it away from goal.

41' A let-off for Southampton, who allowed Newcastle to break down the left flank far too easily. The Saints cannot afford their opponents too many opportunities to hurt them on the counter.

39' NO GOAL! Newcastle think they have taken the lead after Joelinton bundles the ball home. However, their joy is short-lived as the referee blows his whistle and penalises the Brazilian for handball.

C. Alcaraz

Yellow Card

37' Alcaraz drags back Guimaraes and goes into the book.

36' This is the latest semi-final Trippier has played in during his career. The England full-back has also appeared at this stage of a World Cup, European Championship and Champions League.

34' Newcastle rapidly counter from a long Southampton throw into their penalty area. Almiron tees up Trippier to send in a deep cross. Willock is unmarked at the far post, but cannot keep his volley down and will be very disappointed after sending the ball way over the bar.

32' It is worth noting that you must go back to October 2014 for the last time Newcastle beat a Premier League side away from home in this competition. Then, they defeated reigning champions Manchester City 2-0 at the Etihad Stadium.

30' Trippier sends a free-kick delivery into the box from the right. However, Southampton are alert and deal with the danger.

D. Ćaleta-Car

Yellow Card

28' Caleta-Car receives the game's first yellow card after a late challenge on Almiron. The Southampton defender can have no complaints.

26' A certain Alan Shearer - a brilliant servant of both clubs - watches on from the stands. The former Newcastle striker was part of the side that reached the FA Cup semi-finals in 2005, before losing 4-1 to Manchester United.

24' Bottom of the Premier League, this cup run has provided a welcome distraction for Southampton. Although having their eyes firmly on the prize, they will be desperate to avoid becoming the first team since Birmingham City in 2011 to be relegated after lifting this trophy.

22' After the medical team tend to his nose wound, Bazunu is back on his feet and fine to continue.

21' Bazunu requires attention after colliding with Almiron, who was looking to connect with Guimaraes' return pass. The Southampton goalkeeper has sustained a nose bleed.

19' Newcastle threaten again and Trippier whips in a fierce cross from the left flank. However, Bazunu is alert and punches clear.

17' Jones barks out instructions to his team from the touchline. The Saints have been second best so far, but are yet to be breached.

15' A rare venture forward from Southampton sees Ward-Prowse whip in a cross from the right. Alcaraz looks to connect, but a well-timed Schar sliding challenge thwarts him.

13' The Magpies were 4-1 victors here in November, but you must go back to the 1989-90 season for the last time they recorded two away wins over the same opponent in a single campaign.

11' Newcastle go direct as Schar seeks out Wilson with a long ball forward, but the England striker is unable to get it under control and Bazunu comes out to collect.

9' That stoppage following Schar's injury has certainly disrupted Newcastle's rhythm, with the visitors not quite flowing the same as they were during the early stages of this contest.

7' After receiving attention from the medical team, Schar is back on the field, but continues to move gingerly following that heavy Mara challenge.

5' A worry for the Toon as Schar stays down after he was caught late by Mara. Lascelles is warming up on the touchline, and they will hope it is nothing too serious.

4' The visitors continue to threaten and a patient build-up culminates in Longstaff sending a brilliant ball across the face of goal. Unfortunately, none of his team-mates react quickly enough and Southampton survive.

3' An early chance for the Magpies, who quickly counter with Almiron leading the charge. He finds Willock in plenty of space, but the midfielder gets it all wrong and sends his first-time shot high into the stand.

1' The referee blows his whistle and Newcastle get us under way.

The players are coming out onto the pitch and we are just moments away from kick-off at St Mary's.

Meanwhile, with Newcastle on a 15-match unbeaten run in the Premier League, it is not overly surprising that Howe names an unchanged side from the weekend draw at Palace. That means the tried and trusted back five of Pope, Trippier, Schar, Botman and Burns, while Guimaraes will provide support for the front three of Almiron, Wilson and Joelinton.

Nathan Jones hands full debuts to Alcaraz and Orsic as he makes four changes from the weekend defeat by Aston Villa. Djenepo and Mara - the scorers in the quarter-final victory over Manchester City - also return to the starting line-up. Bednarek, who was recently recalled from his loan spell at Villa, is on the bench alongside the likes of Adams and former Newcastle striker Armstrong.

SUBS: Karl Darlow, Jamaal Lascelles, Allan Saint-Maximum, Matt Ritchie, Jamal Lewis, Alexander Isak, Javier Manquillo, Jacob Murphy, Elliot Anderson.

NEWCASTLE UNITED (4-3-3): Nick Pope; Kieran Trippier, Fabian Schar, Sven Botman, Dan Burn; Joe Willock, Bruno Guimaraes, Sean Longstaff; Miguel Almiron, Callum Wilson, Joelinton.

SUBS: Willy Caballero, Ainsley Maitland-Niles, Adam Armstrong, Che Adams, Romain Perraud, Samuel Edozie, Mohamed Elyounoussi, Jan Bednarek, Romeo Lavia.

SOUTHAMPTON (4-2-3-1): Gavin Bazunu; Lyanco, Duje Caleta-Car, Mohammed Salisu, Kyle Walker-Peters; Ibrahima Diallo, Carlos Alcaraz; Mislav Orsic, James Ward-Prowse, Moussa Djenepo; Seko Mara.

Southampton have beaten Cambridge, Sheffield Wednesday, Lincoln and Manchester City to reach the semi-finals of this tournament for a fourth time. Meanwhile, Newcastle have overcome Tranmere, Crystal Palace, Bournemouth and Leicester to reach the last four of any competition for the first time in 18 years.

Newcastle are gearing up for only their second League semi-final and first since reaching the 1975-76 final - the same season that saw Southampton win their only major honour by lifting the FA Cup.

Hello everyone and welcome to live text coverage of the EFL Cup semi-final first leg between Southampton and Newcastle United at St Mary's.

Southampton v Newcastle United Live Commentary, 24/01/2023

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