Newcastle 5-0 Southampton

Southampton never recovered from Duncan Ferguson scoring two goals in the first four minutes, and the home side could even afford to miss a penalty.

Nolberto Solano and a Richard Dryden own goal made it four just after the half hour mark, as Newcastle exacted revenge for their 4-2 defeat at the Dell in August.

Alan Shearer missed from the spot during a manic first half, with Nikos Dabizas finally adding the fifth goal seven minutes from time.

Southampton's makeshift team, with boss Dave Jones having just 16 fit players, could not cope with the rampant home side.

The only consolation for Jones was regarding goal difference. His side did marginally better than relegation rivals Sheffield Wednesday, who lost 8-0 at St James Park earlier in the season.

Shearer scored five in that game, but this time he was denied a first half hat trick by the woodwork, as Ferguson took centre stage.

In the third minute Solano surged into the penalty area and found the England captain, who headed against the bar before the big Scot nodded into an empty net.

Just 78 seconds later Ferguson had put the ball back into the goal, lashing home from the edge of the area after Kieron Dyer got a tackle in.

Shearer hit the post after eight minutes, with the home side apparently capable of opening up the Saints defence at will.

And in the 17th minute Newcastle's skipper turned creator, being offered a massive amount of time and space to play a one-two with Solano, who scored with ease.

Southampton responded with a 23rd-minute substitution, with the attacking Luis Boa Morte going off for defender Garry Monk.

It looked more like damage limitation than an unlikely attempt to get the visitors back into the game, although Steve Harper was forced to pull off a good save from Stuart Ripley.

On the half hour, Kieron Dyer surged down the Newcastle right, leaving recalled defender Dryden almost for dead.

The Southampton man stretched his leg out, but succeeded only in poking the ball back at goal, where keeper Paul Jones was unable to stop it going in.

The game then began to take on a comical character - unless you were in the visitors' camp.

Dryden almost scored a second own goal when his prod hit the post, before Dean Richards tugged Ferguson's shirt and referee Neale Barry pointed to the spot.

Shearer blasted the kick against the crossbar, and it bounced down on the goal-line before a massive scramble saw the crossbar rescue Saints yet again.

At half time Southampton used their second substitution, with Francis Benali introduced.

The second half could never capture the drama of the first, with Ferguson mis-kicking one chance for his hat trick.

Solano had a dipping effort tipped over by Jones, shortly before Shearer brought a stunning save from the Southampton keeper.

Former Newcastle defender John Beresford returned from injury for the Saints in place of Dryden for the final 20 minutes.

He was given a standing ovation by the home fans, who could afford to be charitable to a former servant.

And their delight was complete when Dabizas scored with a deflected shot at a late corner.

Teams:

Newcastle: Harper, Barton, Marcelino, Dabizas, Pistone, Solano, Dyer, Speed, Gallacher, Shearer, Ferguson. Subs: Given, Domi, Ketsbaia, Hughes, Fumaca.

Southampton: Jones, Tessem, Richards, Dryden, Colleter, Ripley, Soltvedt, Hughes, Boa Morte, Davies, Beattie. Subs: Moss, Beresford, Pahars, Benali, Monk.

Referee: N Barry (Scunthorpe)