Southampton boss blames match officials for defeat to Newcastle United | OneFootball

Southampton boss Ivan Juric has reacted to seeing his side losing 3-1 to Eddie Howe’s Newcastle United.

United dominating the first ten minutes, only for Bednarek to find himself unmarked and heading home past Dubravka.

Newcastle kept their cool and came back to be 3-1 up by the 51st minute and then cruised the rest of the match in third gear.

Despite Newcastle United clearly having deserved to win and worth the two goal winning margin for sure, Ivan Juric has chosen to blame the match officials for the defeat.

The Southampton boss declaring; “The penalty for Newcastle I don’t accept because it wasn’t a penalty. This is a crucial moment…There were some crucial moments, like the penalty and other situations that go to Newcastle’s side.”

The truth is, the only controversy on the Newcastle United penalty, was how on earth the referee didn’t instantly give it. It was such a clear spot-kick, as Aribo fouled Isak from behind, without touching the ball, just as the striker was about to shoot/score.

As for ‘other situations’, I guess Ivan Juric is talking about the disallowed late ‘goal’, the TV replays showed that the Southampton player was offside and that is VAR working perfectly, as was always intended. The only complaint with both the penalty and the offside, is how long VAR takes to make the decisions. The key and most important thing though, is that both times the on the pitch match officials were saved by the technology from wrong decisions that could have impacted the result. That is the truth, no matter what Ivan Juric claims.

Southampton boss Ivan Juric talking after Newcastle United’s 3-1 win at St Mary’s:

“We scored a goal and it was a very good moment in this situation because we pressed well, we moved the ball.

“The penalty for Newcastle I don’t accept because it wasn’t a penalty.

“This is a crucial moment.

“My idea from the bench was really clear.

“Joe Aribo was in front of Isak. It’s the wrong decision for me.

“I thought my players really gave everything they’ve got, they are fighting.

“They fought well but it wasn’t enough.

“There were some crucial moments, like the penalty and other situations that go to Newcastle’s side.

“I’m disappointed with the result but not disappointed with how my team played today.

“They have to continue like this, working on the training like this.

“Today there are not a lot of negative things to say to my guys.

“They can do it better, some technical things, but they gave it everything they’ve got.”

Southampton 1 Newcastle 3 – Saturday 25 January 2025 3pm

(Stats via BBC Sport)

Goals:

Newcastle United:

Isak 26 pen, 30 Tonali 51

Southampton:

Bednarek 10

Possession was Newcastle 47% (48%) Southampton53% (52%)

Total shots were Newcastle 17 (7) Southampton 12 (4)

Shots on target were Newcastle 9 (5) Southampton 5 (2)

Corners were Newcastle 8 (5) Southampton 3 (0)

Touches in the box Newcastle 34 (18) Southampton 15 (3)

Newcastle team v Southampton:

Dubravka, Livramento, Schar, Burn, Hall, Tonali, Joelinton, Bruno (Miley), Murphy (Longstaff 90+3), Isak (Willock), Gordon (Almiron 88)

Unused subs:

Pope, Trippier, Botman, Osula, Kelly

(Absolutely appalling from this Sky Sports reporter at Southampton 1 Newcastle 3 – Zero respect – Watch HERE)

(Southampton 1 Newcastle 3 – Instant Newcastle United fan/writer reaction – Read HERE)

(Southampton 1 Newcastle 3 – Back in the groove and 10 from 11 – Read HERE)

Saturday 1 February – Newcastle v Fulham (3pm)

Wednesday 5 February – Newcastle v Arsenal (8pm) Sky Sports (League Cup)

Saturday 8 February – Birmingham v Newcastle (5.45pm) BBC1 and BBC iPlayer (FA Cup)

Saturday 15 February – Man City v Newcastle (3pm)

Sunday 23 February – Newcastle v Forest (2pm) Sky Sports

Wednesday 26 February – Liverpool v Newcastle (8.15pm) TNT Sports

(Weekend of Saturday 1 March –  NUFC will play in FA Cup fifth round if getting past Birmingham)

Monday 10 March – West Ham v Newcastle (8pm) Sky Sports

Saturday 15 March – Newcastle v Crystal Palace (3pm)

(Carabao Cup final is on Sunday 16 March, so the Palace match would be postponed if United get to the final)