Newcastle United fans were reasonably buoyant in the Transfer Tavern on Sunday after seeing their side draw 2-2 at Southampton, a result which keeps them firmly lodged in the top half of the Premier League.
Rafa Benitez’s men went into their clash with the South Coast outfit ninth in the Premier League but having lost their previous away game, yet twice led at St Mary’s thanks to goals from Isaac Hayden and Ayoze Perez either side of half time.
However, Saints striker Manolo Gabbiadini bagged a brace, the second from the penalty spot, to secure a point for Mauricio Pellegrino’s side, who moved into the top half of the division and just a place behind the Magpies with their ninth point of the campaign.
Overall, Newcastle produced a fine away performance and on another day could well have won the game, although a mistimed tackle from centre-back Florian Lejeune ultimately cost them two points on Sunday.
The Frenchman was recalled to the starting eleven in favour of Ciaran Clark but clumsily brought Shane Long down in the box after 75 minutes, allowing Gabbiadini to fire home a second equaliser for Southampton to earn them a share of the spoils.
However, several Magpies supporters took to Twitter in the aftermath of the game to defend the 26-year-old, as he had performed brilliantly up until that point in what was just his second Premier League start of the season…
Lejeune should start ahead of Clark full stop #NUFC
— Premier Magpie (@PremierMagpie) October 15, 2017
Aside from 1 moment of poor judgement, Florian Lejeune has a really good game. Shame it cost us. #NUFC
— NUFC 1892 (@NUFCfanatic1892) October 15, 2017
Lejeune will be Fine, he’s a class act. #nufc
— Matt (@GeordieWalrus) October 15, 2017
Lejeune was superb yesterday so people need to get off his back. That was his first full game in the PL. He will learn from his error. #NUFC
— Paul (@TheToonReview) October 16, 2017
Lejeune was quality today bar that one tackle. Looks a class act #NUFC
— Chris Mack (@chrismack_nufc) October 15, 2017
Can’t help but think we could have easily walked away with all 3 points today! Despite daft challenge I like the look of Lejeune! #nufc
— Michael Gallon (@HIZZEZZ) October 15, 2017
Florian Lejeune was awesome apart from one mistake… Cracking match #NUFC
— mcdada (@mcdada) October 15, 2017
Shows how far #nufc have come when you’re disappointed with that result. A professional performance. Lejeune was great, that tackle aside.
— Stephen Moy (@moymadethis) October 15, 2017
