GOALS from Takumi Minamino and James Ward-Prowse proved not enough as Saints were sunk 3-2 against nine-man Newcastle at St James’ Park. 

A Miguel Almiron double, as well as a debut goal from Joe Willock proved decisive for the Magpies, who had to play the final 12 minutes two men short. 

Midfielder Jeff Hendrick was sent off for his second bookable offence on 50 minutes – before Fabian Schar was forced off through injury with the hosts having used all their subs. 

Defeat was Saints fifth in a row in the top flight. 

Saints were boosted ahead of kick-off by the returns of Jannik Vestergaard and Oriol Romeu to feature from the start on Tyneside.

New loan recruit Minamino was also named in the starting XI, Nathan Redmond was recalled as Hasenhuttl opted for four changes from the side which was thumped 9-0 against Manchester United. 

There were also spots on the bench for youngster Nathan Tella and defender Mohammed Salisu, after they had recovered from their respective muscle problems. 

Newcastle made two changes with dangerman Allan Saint-Maximin making his first start since November and on-loan Arsenal midfielder Willock making his debut.

And it was Saint-Maximin who looked to cause problems for Saints in the opening exchanges.

The swift Frenchman showed great footwork to turn Jan Bednarek inside out inside the area, only for his cutback to be cleared away by Danny Ings. 

Steve Bruce’s side then had the ball in the net but were denied by an offside flag. Callum Wilson raced through and finished past Alex McCarthy, but the England forward’s effort was rightly chalked off.

But Newcastle were to take the lead on 16 minutes. A ball from deep found the lively Saint-Maximin, he skipped away from Bednarek before crossing for Willock to slot home the opener. 

Saints then had a chance to respond. Che Adams slipped in strike partner Ings but the England frontman was forced wide and denied by a strong save from home stopper Karl Darlow. 

The hosts managed to double their advantage in fortuitous circumstances, however. A sweeping ball allowed Saint-Maximin the chance to pick out Almiron, his strike cannoned off Bednarek and fell in at the near post for 2-0. 

Saints did however manage to pull a goal back on the half hour mark thanks to a moment of class from Minamino. 

The Japanese international’s first touch was perfect after latching on to Ryan Bertrand’s cross – and he made no mistake in blasting into the roof of the net. 

After losing Javier Manquillo early in the contest, Newcastle were then hit again when Wilson was also forced to limp off injured. 

Saints almost had a leveller in the dying moments of the first half. Ward-Prowse played a free-kick into the path of Bertrand, who smashed over unchallenged from inside the box. 

But the Magpies then swooped to be gifted a third just before the break. Alex McCarthy’s loose pass allowed Almiron the chance to dispossess Bertrand and fire into the corner. 

Saints then rallied after the interval and gave themselves a lifeline. Ward-Prowse curled in a free-kick in trademark fashion from 25 yards out, after a foul on Adams by Isaac Hayden. 

Newcastle were then reduced to 10 men. Republic of Ireland midfielder Hendrick, who had been booked earlier in the contest, was shown a second caution after pulling back Minamino. 

Saints saw far more of the ball with the extra man and came within inches of levelling. 

Neat work inside the box allowed Redmond to tee up Ings, who saw his effort cannon off the post back into the hands of Darlow. Adams then bundled home for the visitors – only to be flagged offside. 

More drama then ensued as Newcastle were then down to nine men after, having used all their subs, Fabian Schar was stretchered off. 

Hasenhuttl brought on Dan N’Lundulu to give his side more attacking options – but despite piling on the pressure late on, Saints came away pondering another defeat. 

Newcastle: Darlow, Manquillo (Krafth, 24), Hayden, Schär, Lewis, Hendrick, Shelvey, Almirón, Willock, Saint-Maximin (Dummett, 66), Wilson (Joelinton, 36).

Unused subs: Carroll, Ritchie, Gayle, Fraser, Anderson, Dubravka (g/k).

Booked: Hendrick (2), Krafth.

Saints: McCarthy, Vestergaard, Bednarek, Stephens (N'Lundulu, 81) Bertrand, Redmond, Ward-Prowse, Romeu, Minamino, Adams, Ings.

Unused subs: Djenepo, Salisu, Tella, Ramsay, Finnigan, Watts, Chauke, Forster (g/k).

Booked: Bednarek.

Referee: Craig Pawson

VAR: Robert Jones.