Eddie Howe says his decision to take Anthony Gordon off at half-time was tactical but admitted he was pleased with the player's first-half display. Gordon was given his first St James' Park start since joining the Magpies in January but was the man to make way for Callum Wilson at half-time as Howe mixed things up at 1-0 down.
Gordon enjoyed arguably Newcastle's two best chances of the first half, blasting one into the side netting early on before hitting the post after beating Saints goalkeeper Alex McCarthy with a low effort. However, his first home start ended after only 45 minutes as Alexander Isak was moved out to the left before Newcastle's second-half comeback.
"I wanted to introduce Callum so I had to bring someone off. It really was a process of that decision," Howe said when asked about Gordon's withdrawal. "I thought Anthony played well in the first half.
