Southampton deserved win over Newcastle, says Ronald Koeman

Ronald Koeman believes Southampton fully deserved their victory over relegation-threatened Newcastle on Saturday afternoon.

Goals from Shane Long, Graziano Pelle and Victor Wanyama secured a 3-1 win for the Saints, moving them onto 50 points for the season and keeping alive their hopes of European qualification.

Koeman was pleased with the performance after watching his side go ahead after just four minutes at St Mary's, but felt his forwards could have been more clinical in the second half.

"I'm very satisfied with the first half because we started well with a high tempo and caused a lot of problems with the four strikers in front," Koeman said.

"The first goal made it more difficult for them and the whole performance was OK. In the second half we had to score more goals because we were the dominant team, but we have the three points and a good result.

"We defended well and had good organisation. They didn't create a lot of opportunities and they scored a very good goal from Townsend, but we were the better team and had the better chances.

"It is important to win the game today because it gives you the confidence you need to fight for our ambitions.

Koeman's side sit two points behind sixth-placed West Ham, albeit having played a game more, and a further point behind Man Utd, but the Southampton manager believes his side can put pressure on their rivals.

"We know it's difficult because a lot of teams are fighting for the same, but it's the last part of the season and we need wins and that's what we did today," he added.

"We try to achieve what we want, but you have to start well, as we did today. It will be difficult, but it will be difficult for all the teams."

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Jay Rodriguez returned as a late substitute to make his first Southampton appearance since October, having endured a nightmare spell with injuries.

The Saints forward missed 15 months following cruciate ligament damage before suffering a foot injury earlier this season, and Koeman insists he will give him plenty of time to get up to speed.

"It is fantastic, first of all for the player," he continued. "He worked very hard to come back and he was a little bit unlucky with his second injury after his knee problem.

"But he's back now and it's up to the manager to give him that game-time. He's a great player and will be a very good player for us in the future.

"It's important for Jay to get that game-time to improve in all the aspect of football. That's not in one or two weeks because you need time."