Why Southampton ace Yuki Sugawara was substituted v Newcastle as Russell Martin explains decision

Goalie Alex McCarthy’s gaffe cost Southampton a 1-0 loss on their Premier League return against Newcastle United.

Russell Martin will be extremely disappointed with the manner of the loss, but he will also take heart from his Southampton team’s performance against Newcastle.

After a strong start, Southampton might have thought the first day would go their way when Fabian Schar was sent out for a confrontation with Ben Brereton Diaz after just 28 minutes.

The Saints were starting to build momentum, but at the stroke of halftime, Alex McCarthy strangely gave the ball straight to Alexander Isak, who laid it to Joelinton to slot home and shatter the Southampton bubble.

Southampton dominated the Newcastle goal in the second half, but Nick Pope’s numerous outstanding saves and a strong defensive effort made sure the Saints were defeated on the first day of play.

Russell Martin discusses Yukinari Sugawara’s substitution versus Newcastle.

The players that started against Getafe in the final preseason friendly did not come as a surprise when Martin announced his first Southampton starting eleven of the season.

This meant that Yukinari Sugawara and Brereton Diaz were the only two new additions to the team when it began play.

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