IF ANYBODY needed reminding why football is the best game in the world, they should be forced to sit down and watch a video of this match until they concede that it is.

This was a wonderful game, a credit to football and to the Premiership.

It was played in a great spirit between two talented teams who just went out to play football as well they could and win the game - and it was a joy to watch for the St Mary's record attendance.

Saints boss Gordon Strachan agreed: "It was a great game - I loved it.

"I loved the football, the game, the atmosphere, the respect the teams showed each other.

"There were no bookings and the referee was excellent - I've not a bad word to say about the game.

"Some coaches might say the defending could have been this or that, but I'm not interested in that.

"The good players were unstoppable at times and the defences couldn't handle them for one reason or another.

"The fitness of both sides was fantastic.

"It was a bit like basketball - you have a shot at us, we'll have a shot at you - that's the way Newcastle play and you get sucked into that.

"We said that we had to be brave, and at times we took a chance because they can leave players outside the box and counter-attack you, but we weren't interested in that because we were trying to win.

"Both teams went for the game so that's why you got that kind of football. It could have been any score. It could have been 5-1 to us or 5-1 to them.

"It was the best game I have enjoyed as a manager, in terms of excitement and generally feeling good about the game.

"We have had better results like beating Arsenal 3-2, but the excitement wasn't the same. Maybe that's a bit naive. What I'm excited about is that we set out to win a game of football, so that was a bonus."

There were so many chances in the game it would difficult to list them all but Strachan was right when he said the score could have been anything.

In fact, how there was only two goals will forever remain a mystery.

Much of the credit to limiting Newcastle to just one must go to Paul Jones who put in a superb display in the Saints goal.

After eight minutes a deflected free-kick fell to Alan Shearer who turned the ball goalwards only for Jones to show a strong wrist to dive full length and not only save but push it away.

Just two minutes later Jones slid to the edge of his area to block Craig Bellamy's run through on goal.

When Kieron Dyer sprinted into the area he rounded Jones but the Welshman had pushed him far enough wide that his shot was from an acute angle - it deflected off Claus Lundekvam and rolled across the area before being cleared.

On 32 minutes Gary Speed, who formed part of an outstanding central midfield duo with Dyer, headed goalwards and Jones had to bend his back to dive and turn over the bar.

And, on the stroke of half-time, the Saints keeper turned Dyer's shot round the post.

But he was beaten five minutes into the second half when Bellamy measured a shot from 25 yards that was virtually unstoppable.

Then came possibly his most important save of the match.

Only moments after the re-start Bellamy squared from the left for Jermaine Jenas, who looked certain to put Newcastle two clear and in complete control.

Jenas' touch was heavy but his shot was still goalbound until Jones pushed it away.

Then, just a counter attack later, Fabrice Fernandes crossed from the right wing and Chris Marsden slid in at the far post to equalise.

Jones was forced to save well from Bellamy and Dyer, but it was Saints who went closest.

Marsden had two great chances to give Saints the lead.

The first was a diving header four yards out from a Fernandes cross. He just couldn't quite shape his body correctly and headed wide.

The worse miss came when he had a completely free header from a corner eight yards out and missed the target altogether.

Saints, who had had a few good openings in the first period through Brett Ormerod and Rory Delap, almost snatched the win in bizarre fashion.

In injury time, Newcastle defender Andy O'Brien - under no pressure - headed against the underside of his own crossbar.

Newcastle are without doubt the best footballing team Saints have faced this season.

Defensively they are suspect, but in terms of attacking they are a joy.

But then, so are Saints at the moment.

They were strong at the back, Fernandes was as tricky as ever, Delap battled for all he was worth and Marsden was everywhere.

In attack, James Beattie had his best all-round game for Saints.

There was to be no more goals from him but his ariel presence, hold up play and all-round contribution was top drawer and showed a new and very welcome side to his game.

As Toon Army boss Bobby Robson said: "It was a classic."