SAINTS gave supporters plenty to feel positive about despite falling to a narrow 1-0 defeat in their opening game against Newcastle on Saturday.

Joelinton fired 10-man Newcastle to an opening day Premier League victory over promoted Southampton on an eventful afternoon at St James’ Park.

The Brazilian’s 45th-minute strike secured a win for the Magpies, who played with a numerical disadvantage for more than an hour after Fabian Schar was sent off after thrusting his head at Saints debutant Ben Brereton Diaz.

Here are the biggest talking points from the opening game of the 2024/25 season...

Positive signs despite defeat

Most Southampton fans and players left St James’ Park feeling emotions different from what they had expected.

It’s fair to say most were expecting a tough afternoon. Southampton’s opening game record is nothing to get excited about - and Newcastle are a different beast at home.

But when the full-time whistle blew, disappointment was the leading emotion. Southampton were the better side up to Joelinton’s winning goal and kept piling on the pressure as Newcastle packed the box.

They were ultimately unable to find a way past a resolute home defence, even though Eddie Howe's charges had been reduced to 10 men.

But as Flynn Downes pointed out, Saints will earn plenty of points this season if they replicate that level of performance regularly.

The only major concern coming out of the game is how Newcastle's goal came about. Alex McCarthy played straight to Alexander Isak, who promptly squared for Joelinton to bury.

Ultimately, McCarthy picked the wrong pass. He had options but unfortunately chose the wrong one - and he had looked strong up to that point.

(Image: PA)
Soft red card?

With 28 minutes on the clock, Newcastle were reduced to 10 men. Schar was given a ticket for an early bath after he clashed heads with Brereton Diaz.

To call it a clash of heads, in truth, is a slight embellishment. There was contact, but probably not enough to warrant the reaction Brereton Diaz gave.

But that’s not to say it isn’t a red card. It is. You can’t lead with your head, and Brereton Diaz was within his rights to go down.

By leaning in Schar opened himself to a red card - and the Swiss defender’s punishment was a reward for the forward's actions.

Ultimately, the game is the game. Brereton Diaz did what any player would have done in that situation - and gained his side a benefit in the process.

(Image: PA)
READ MORE: Martin and Howe on Schar red card and clash with Brereton Diaz

Premier League debuts

Defenders Taylor Harwood-Bellis and Yukinari Sugawara made their Premier League debuts when Martin selected them from the start at Newcastle. 

Another moment of encouragement came in the second half when Martin introduced Tyler Dibling instead of Joe Aribo.

The 18 year old had starred in pre-season and earned his 20-minute cameo at St James’ Park.

It was fitting his maiden Premier League bow came at the side of his most famous moment. During a Premier League 2 fixture in 2022, Dibling scored a hat-trick of identical goals.

His more senior teammates, if 22 and 24 can be considered as such, looked assured in their first Premier League outings.