Adam Lallana proved his influence on the Saints side once again as he came off the bench to inspire his team to a point at Newcastle.

The skipper was left on the bench at St James’ Park as a precaution after picking up a slight knock, but was introduced at half time with his team 1-0 down and lacking a creative spark.

However, he quickly grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck and it was Saints who dominated the second period with Jay Rodriguez’s sixth goal of the campaign earning a more than deserved point.

Pochettino explained: “Adam had a slight injury and he wasn’t fully fit to be playing the full 90 minutes.

“We are not going to take any risks with our players.

“We thought he could come on in the second half as a sub and have an impact and we’re delighted at the way that he did.”

The game threatened to be overshadowed by the dugout brawl that occurred towards the end, but this was another decent point for Saints.

Though it is five Premier League games without a win, defeats against Arsenal, Chelsea and Aton Villa have been followed by creditable points against Manchester City and in form Newcastle.

Pochettino believed his side were full value for at least a point.

“Overall, in the analysis of the 96 or 97 minutes played, the draw was a fair result,” he reflected.

“Perhaps we could have even got a bit more.

“Both halves were completely different.

“In the first half it was wide open and both teams were creating good chances for themselves.

“In the second half Southampton was completely dominating the game and could have gone on to win.

“The overall analysis is the draw is a fair result.”

As well as starting Lallana on the bench, and pairing Rickie Lambert and Dani Osvaldo up front, centre half Jose Fonte was also left out to protect his niggling injury.

Maya Yoshida had been preferred for the Aston Villa game earlier this month, but was partly culpable for a goal.

This time it was Jos Hooiveld’s turn to partner Dejan Lovren – and he was partly culpable for a goal as well.

Pochettino defended his men, though. “I am not disappointed, this is football and these things can happen,” he insisted.

“The players that don’t make mistakes are actually sitting next to me on the bench.

“The players on the pitch can make mistakes and it is normal that can happen.”