Eljero Elia bagged his first two Saints goals to keep his new side’s chase for the Champions League on track.

The Dutch winger, on loan for the season from Werder Bremen, scored either side of a Yoan Gouffran equaliser to bag yet another three points for Ronald Koeman’s men as they beat Newcastle 2-1 at St James’ Park.

Saints had briefly slipped down to fourth in the Premier League table after Manchester United’s win earlier in the day but climbed back up to third once again thanks to their tenth away of the season in all competitions.

With no league matches next weekend due to the FA Cup they will remain there for at least another fortnight as their quest for European qualification continues its forward momentum.

Daily Echo:

It was a scrappy opening to the game, with a few under hit passes and crunching tackles from both sides.

Fraser Forster was the first keeper to have to make a proper save as on 11 minutes Ayoze Perez jinked one way and then the other to buy himself a yard in the box. He fired in a low shot but from an angle it was a fairly comfortable stop for the Saints man.

Yoan Gouffran tried his luck moments later with a half volley from 25 yards after collecting a half cleared corner but it was straight down the middle and Forster was able to collect again.

It was Saints who took the lead on 14 minutes with their first chance of the game.

Daily Echo:

Jose Fonte angled a chipped ball from the right wing into Graziano Pelle who showed immense strength to hold off a challenge and the chest off to James Ward-Prowse.

He spotted the run of Eljero Elia ahead of him and slid a pass into the path of the new signing who hit a first time right footed shot back across goal from 12 yards out.

Tim Krul was caught by surprise, dived too late for the shot and the ball went under him with Elia immediately charging down the touchline to embrace Saints boss Koeman.

It should have been 2-0 on 25 minutes as Ward-Prowse whipped in an outswinging free kick from the right touchline which was met by the head of Fonte in a central position six yards from goal but he put just over the bar.

Sadly for Saints they were pegged back by a Newcastle equaliser four minutes later.

Daily Echo:

The goal was an odd one as a Perez’s pass deflected off of Fonte and broke into the Saints box.

Forster charged off his line towards the penalty spot to try and claim but didn’t make it and was taken out of the equation when Florin Gardos slid in front of him to clear the ball. He could only fire it into the shin of Gouffran who watched with delight as it ricocheted into the empty net.

Perez threatened another Newcastle goal three minutes before half time when he got in behind the Saints backline to meet a high cross field pass with a first time lofted half volley back across goal but it drifted just wide.

That proved to be the last attack of the half which ended with the scores level and all to play for in the second period.

Newcastle had the first opening of the second half as the ball broke to Remy Cabella on the edge of the area. It wasn’t the easiest of volleys and he sliced it well wide of the target.

Daily Echo:

Saints just weren’t quite able to get a grip of the game, which was frustrating as, even without their injured and absent stars, three points were there for the taking if they could get some sustained pressure.

They needed to change something with Dusan Tadic looking a little isolated out on the right, Ward-Prowse not quite in his best role centrally while Steven Davis was holding behind that.

Koeman sensed exactly that and made a double substitution on 60 minutes.

Jack Cork came on for Ward-Prowse while Shane Long replaced Tadic.

The latter change was a straight swap with the other meant Steven Davis pushed further forward while Cork partnered Harrison Reed in the holding midfield positions.

Newcastle came close to another goal a minute later as Gouffran was given a free header but he glanced it wide.

That was a brief respite for the Magpies though as Saints regained the lead on 62 minutes.

Daily Echo:

It was set up by Long who rose highest to flick on a header that set Elia away.

He held off the attentions of Daryl Janmaat and fired in a low shot from 12 yards out that flicked off of the Newcastle defender and went in off the inside of the post.

Steven Davis became the first player in the book for tugging back Vernon Anita.

Newcastle responded to going behind with a double change of their own on 68 minutes as Sammy Ameobi and Emmanuel Riviere replaced Gouffran and Anita.

Saints got away with one on 75 minutes as Jack Colback whipped in a right wing corner that was met by the unmarked Paul Dummett six yards out but he headed wide.

Saints so nearly sealed the three points two minutes later as Cork guided the ball out to Nathaniel Clyne on the right, he whipped in a perfect cross to pick out Pelle but his header hit the bar and bounced clear.

Daily Echo:

Newcastle made a final switch with ten minutes remaining as Mike Williamson replaced Dummett.

Saints made their final change two minutes later with Matt Targett coming on for Elia as they looked to close things down in the final stages. Targett went to left back with Ryan Bertrand pushing further forward.

Saints came under huge pressure in the closing stages and survived a massive scare well into four minutes of stoppage time.

Riviere hit a fierce half volley from just outside the area that struck the arm of Fonte just inside the box but despite furious Newcastle appeals referee Robert Madley refused to award a penalty and Saints held out to collect another three points.