Dyer World Cup doubt

Beattie sent Southampton on the way

Southampton 3-1 Newcastle
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England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson will anxiously wait for news on Kieron Dyer after the England midfielder was stretchered off at Southampton.

Dyer was victim of a crude challenge from Southampton defender Tahar El-Khalej who was instantly dismissed by referee Andy D'Urso amid angry reaction from Newcastle boss Bobby Robson and captain Alan Shearer.

Shearer's goal sparked a furious second-half response from Newcastle.

But first-half goals from Anders Svensson and James Beattie, plus Paul Telfer's injury-time effort left Newcastle still looking for their first win at Southampton since February 1972.

  Drama at St Mary's

17mins: Svensson puts Southampton ahead.

22mins: James Beattie's penalty doubles the lead.

55mins: Alan Shearer pulls one back.

57mins: Dyer stretchered off after El-Khalej tackle.

90mins: Paul Telfer seals Saints victory.

Southampton took a grip on the game with two goals in the space of five minutes.

First on 17 minutes, Svensson was on hand to slide the ball past Shay Given after Marian Pahars' cross had deflected off Aaron Hughes.

Then Beattie slid a pass through to Brett Ormerod who nudged the ball past Given and was upended by the Newcastle keeper.

Newcastle felt any contact was minimal but referee Andy D'Urso pointed to the penalty spot to give Beattie the opportunity to fire his shot low down to Given's left.

Saints Tahar El-Khalej grapples with Lomano Lua Lua

Lua Lua's slide-rule pass almost picked out Dyer who was denied by El-Khalej's excellent interception.

But Lua Lua twice earned the wrath of his colleagues, first dwelling on the ball in the Southampton penalty and then shooting from a narrow angle when he had team-mates well-placed.

Newcastle came out fired-up at the start of the second-half, with Robert leading the charge.

Moss needed two attempts to save the Frenchman's shot, and Robert then saw another powerful effort deflected just wide.

Escape

But it was third time lucky on 55 minutes as Moss was wrong-footed as another Robert shot took a deflection and Shearer was on the spot to score from close-range.

Within two minutes, Southampton were reduced to 10 men as El-Khalej was shown an instant red card for a poor challenge on Dyer.

After two minutes of treatment Dyer was stretchered off, with his World Cup hopes looking in doubt.

Minutes later, Nikos Dabizas escaped with a yellow card after a similarly rash challenge on Beattie.

Newcastle piled on the pressure but Southampton's 10 men not only held out but added a third in injury-time through Paul Telfer.

It meant that Southampton manager Gordon Strachan could not give a sentimental last appearance from the bench for the retiring Matthew Le Tissier.

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Southampton: Moss, Dodd, Lundekvam, El Khalej, Bridge, Telfer, Svensson (Fernandes 70), Delap, Pahars (Monk 60), Beattie, Ormerod (Tessem 62).
Subs Not Used: Bevan, Le Tissier.
Sent Off: El Khalej (57).

Newcastle: Given, Hughes, Dabizas, Distin, Bernard, Solano, Dyer (Jenas 59), Speed, Robert, Shearer, LuaLua.
Subs Not Used: Kerr, O'Brien, Harper, Cort.
Booked: Dabizas.

Attendance: 31,973

Referee: A D'Urso (Billericay).