Saints suffered a fifth defeat in their last six games as Newcastle took advantage of Moussa Djenepo’s first half sending off to secure a 1-0 win at St Mary's.

VAR dominated the first half with Djenepo given his marching orders for a challenge on Isaac Hayden after referee Graham Scott was advised to consult with the pitchside monitor.

Technology got involved again to award Newcastle a penalty just before half time which was brilliantly saved by Alex McCarthy.

Though Ralph Hasenhuttl’s men battled stubbornly in the second period they were eventually undone by Allan Saint-Maximin’s goal 11 minutes from time as they suffered another loss in a patchy run of form.

Yan Valery’s recall at right back meant a return to the midfield for James Ward-Prowse while Moussa Djenepo and top scorer Danny Ings replaced Stuart Armstrong and Michael Obafemi.

Saints started on the front foot and only some desperate last ditch defending prevented Djenepo delivering the finishing touch to Sofiane Boufal’s penetrating ball across the box.

Despite that they were grateful to Alex McCarthy for some truly inspired goalkeeping to keep the scores level.

The Saints stopper produced an incredible triple save to keep the Magpies out, firstly blocking a shot from Dwight Gayle with his legs before a full length dive to his left to stop Miguel Almiron and then a lightning fast recovery to deny a follow-up from Almiron at the near post.

Valery was the next to try his luck, cutting in from the right and hitting a left footed shot from 20 yards that was on target but a comfortable save for Martin Dubravka.

Saints were dealt a major blow when Djenepo’s return to the side was cut short as he was sent off on 28 minutes.

Djenepo stood down onto the leg of Isaac Hayden as the Newcastle man cleared the ball up the field with referee Graham Scott initially handing out a yellow card to the Saints attacker.

VAR ref Crhis Kavanagh inspected the incident for serious foul play and Scott went to the sidelines to observe the incident on the replay monitor. He only needed a couple of viewings to make his decision and returned to the pitch to show Djenepo a red card.

Saints were shaken by the incident and almost conceded just a couple of minutes later as a right wing cross found Gayle unmarked in the box but McCarthy did well to block his diving header from close range.

Gayle had another glorious chance on 34 minutes but missed the target from eight yards out after Saint-Maximin’s cut back.

Newcastle did get the ball in the net as Jamaal Lascelles side footed home from a free kick but he was offside as Saints desperately tried to cling on for a half time reorganisation.

St Mary’s was stunned as VAR got involved again - and awarded Newcastle a penalty.

Sofiane Boufal brought the ball out of the box but replays showed he had thrown his arm at the ball to control it and the major question was whether Saint-Maximin had fouled him in the process.

VAR ref Kavanagh decided it was a penalty, a subsequent yellow card for Federico Fernandez was rescinded and the penalty awarded. Matt Ritchie drilled it hard towards goal but McCarthy made a brilliant save diving to his left to keep it out.

There was one final flashpoint in the half as Javier Manquillo was booked for sliding into Ryan Bertrand with Saints complaining that the punishment should have been greater as the first half finished goalless.

Saints came out for the second half with Ings on the left wing and Shane Long up front alone in a 4-4-1 formation and the Republic of Ireland striker had a half chance as he was found by Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg’s through ball but from a fairly tight angle he sliced wide.

Hasenhuttl’s tactical decision was paying dividends as Saints strangled Newcastle’s ability to exert too much pressure despite their one man advantage.

When they did threaten to breakthrough Bertrand produced a superb sliding challenge to deny Saint-Maximin.

As Saints started to get pushed back Long gave them a glimmer of attacking hipe with a sharp turn and shot from just outside the area that was fierce enough that Dubravka had to parry it away. That was Long’s last action of the game before Hasenhuttl made a first substitution with Che Adams coming on in his place.

Newcastle eventually broke the deadlock as Saint-Maximin gave them the lead on 79 minutes.

Valery got caught out failing to take decisive action as he faced his own goal defending a diagonal ball in behind. He tried to bring it under control but was robbed by Saint-Maximin who then finished low across McCarthy via the inside of the far post.

Michael Obafemi entered the fray as a late sub but Newcastle were able to see out the time comfortably enough and head home with the three points.