Southampton beats Newcastle 2-0 to be surprise leader of EPL

Southampton beat Newcastle 2-0 in Premier League on Friday and will spend a night at summit of England's top division for first time in 32 years.

Che ams volleyed home opening goal in seventh minute from o Walcott's cross, before Stuart Armstrong swept home a left-footed finish in 82nd.

Both goals originated from Newcastle losing ball in or around its own penalty area, a d to Southampton's strong pressing which has developed over past year under manr Ralph Hasenhüttl.

After starting its league campaign with back-to-back defeats, Southampton has won five of six matches — drawing or one at Chelsea — and ends a day on top of English soccer pyramid for first time since September 1988.

On that occasion, Saints won ir opening three matches of season.

Hasenhüttl's team is ahe of Liverpool thanks to a superior goal difference of two. Liverpool is one of five sides who could end weekend back above Southampton in first place.

Im credits: AP