Good afternoon and thank you for joining us here at Sports Mole for live coverage of Southampton's trip to Newcastle United.

It's sure to be an intriguing match at St James' Park. Both teams have probably exceeded expectations so far, with Alan Pardew again proving some doubters wrong at Newcastle.

Mauricio Pochettino has transformed Saints into a top-half outfit, but they have started to fall back in recent weeks and come into this match on the back of four without a win.

We'll have more pre-match analysis soon, but for now let's have a look at the team news.

NEWCASTLE UNITED: Krul; Debuchy, Coloccini, Williamson, Santon; Sissoko, Anita, Tiote, Gouffran; Shola Ameobi, Remy

SUBS: Elliot, Yanga-Mbiwa, Haidara, Obertan, Sammy Ameobi, Ben Arfa, Cisse

SOUTHAMPTON: Gazzaniga; Chambers, Lovren, Hooiveld, Shaw; Cork, S. Davis, Ward-Prowse, Rodriguez; Lambert, Osvaldo

SUBS: Cropper, Yoshida, Schneiderlin, Fonte, Ramírez, Lallana, Gallagher

Newcastle are without Yohan Cabaye through suspension, so Shola Ameobi comes in. Sissoko, Anita and Tiote are in midfield, while Mathieu Debuchy also returns to the team.

The away side make two changes as Rickie Lambert and Jos Hooiveld come in for Adam Lallana and Jose Fonte. Lambert captains the team today and is partnered by Osvaldo in attack.

For Pardew, it is an important day. He was sacked by Southampton in 2010, despite winning the Johnstone's Paint Trophy. Earlier this week he celebrated three years in charge at Newcastle, and has spoken of his desire to beat his former employers, calling it "a game I really want to win".

Looking at the stats, there is every chance of that happening. The Magpies have won five of their last six, and have a tremendous record against the Saints, winning nine of their last 10 league and cup home meetings.

The transformation in Newcastle has come about since the Wear-Tyne derby defeat to Sunderland at the end of October. Since then, Pardew's men have climbed the league table and are now genuine European football contenders. A win today would make it four straight home wins and add to the feeling of good will during the Christmas period.

Their good form was recognised last week when Pardew was voted the Manager of the Month for November. However, the 52-year-old admitted this week that he still felt vulnerable at the club.

"I have been here three years. I have been vulnerable from day one and I am still vulnerable today," he was quoted as saying in the Daily Mail.

Going back to his sacking by the Saints, Pardew added: "It was a decision that was made above me and there was nothing I could do about it. I always felt that it wasn't so much a footballing decision because I don't think anybody could argue - and certainly the fans there were brilliant for me and the players were all with me, so I had no issues with that, really."

So, can Newcastle sustain their current push for European football? One man who thinks they can is former striker Alan Shearer. He said to the Chronicle: "Up to now, Newcastle have had a fantastic season. They are scoring goals and looking solid. They must be very confident. I was at Old Trafford for the win there and it was great to be there for an excellent performance. If they can continue that and keep everybody fit, then who knows?"

As mentioned below, today's match (if you take stats into account) represents a real chance of another three points for the home side. However, Southampton have also impressed this season.

Pochettino's men are eighth in the league and the general consensus is that they are good enough to finish in the top 10, if not higher.

However, recently they have hit a bit of a sticky patch and are now four without a win. They are also without a number of players, including Artur Boruc, Kelvin Davis, Nathaniel Clyne, Danny Fox, Victor Wanyama, and Guly do Prado.

UPDATE: It's full time at the Etihad Stadium as Manchester City beat Arsenal 6-3. Fingers crossed we get a similar game here at St James' Park!

REFEREE WATCH: Today's ref is Michael Jones, who has taken control of seven matches so far this season, handing out one red card and 15 yellows.

Saints players take a look around the stadium before the match.

PREDICTION: We're 10 minutes away from kickoff, so it's time for a prediction. I'm finding it tough to separate these two, so I'll sit on the fence and say 1-1.

The stadium is filling up and the players are in the tunnel. Get the kettle on quick and settle down for another Saturday afternoon of Premier League action.

KICKOFF: The handshakes and player huddles are over. Here we go!

No chances as yet for either side, but Newcastle have an early corner.

That goes straight into the hands of Paulo Gazzaniga and Saints build from the back, but here come the home side again and they win a throw in.

The Magpies swing in their second corner of the match, but the ref blows for a foul. Decent start here at St James' Park.

SHOT! No doubt that Newcastle are on top, and they win yet another corner after good work by Shola Ameobi. Anita clips the ball to Debuchy, who is outside the area, but his volley goes wide. Decent effort.

The away side have struggled to get on the ball in the early stages, but they have it in midfield now and seem happy to wait for an opening.

Big Michael Williamson comes in to head away a long ball from Southampton, who have started to come into the game in the last three minutes.

Now here comes Luke Shaw, who goes inside to Davis. He tries to lob one into the box, but the move breaks down and Krul has it.

OFF THE LINE! Almost 1-0 to the home side! Ameobi runs down the right and finds a cross. It looks like Gazzaniga's ball, but Gouffran steals it from him and sets up Loic Remy, who sees his shot cleared by Chambers on the line. Best chance of the match so far.

That was good defending by the young defender. But credit should also go to Gouffran for winning the ball from the Saints goalkeeper.

SAVE! Easy save this for Krul. James Ward-Prowse picks it up and has a go from distance, but he doesn't strike it well and Krul gathers.

Nervy moments at the back for Newcastle as Williamson makes a mess of Chambers's low cross, but they are able to breathe as Osvaldo is given offside. Southampton are comfortable now and are forcing the home side to play long balls.

It's sloppy play from Pardew's team. Remy cuts inside, but takes one touch too many, and Saints clear. The visitors now have it deep in Newcastle territory.

The Magpies fail to make the most of what appeared to be a decent opportunity. Sissoko fails to play the pass and slows down the attack, the ball then makes it way over to the left, but Davide Santon's cross is easily claimed by Gazzaniga.

The best hope of an away goal seems to be down either flank. Chambers and Shaw are happy to get forward at every opportunity and, with Lambert and Osvaldo on the pitch, they have men to hit.

Newcastle are 1-0 up, but Southampton will be disappointed with the goal. A diagonal free kick is played in and is knocked down in the box. Jos Hooiveld goes to clear it, but misses the ball completely and Yoan Gouffran rounds Gazzaniga to tap into an empty net.

Pochettino will be extremely unhappy with the defending for that goal. Not only did his players miss the knock down, but Hooiveld then failed to clear.

That goal has given Newcastle an injection of energy. The crowd are in full voice, and Southampton have just dropped slightly.

Good play between Sissoko and Anita on the left and the latter is brought down by Jay Rodriguez. Free kick for the home side in a good position.

Santon tries to curl one and it's not far away, but Gazzaniga is able to watch it fly over his crossbar. At the moment, Newcastle are pushing for a second.

Lovely football by the home side sees Moussa Sissoko play a one-two with Remy before running through just inside the box. Gazzaniga runs out to narrow the angle and deflects the ball wide for a corner. That comes to nothing and Southampton have it.

Southampton are struggling to deal with the pace and power of Sissoko. This time it's Tiote who plays him in, but the midfielder's touch is heavy and Hooiveld is able to clear.

CHANCE! The away side attack, but Lambert's shot is poor and Newcastle break. Ameobi then charges down a clearance and Anita picks it up. It's terrific skill from the little midfielder as he beats two defenders, but there is no one in the box to reach his cross.

According to the stats, Southampton have had around 60% of possession. Frustratingly for Pochettino, they haven't done enough with it.

We have one minute of added time in the first half.

So, Newcastle are 1-0 ahead at the break thanks to Yoan Gouffran's 27th minute goal. They had six attempts at goal compared to Southampton's two, but only 34% of possession.

UPDATE: Elsewhere in the Premier League Chelsea are beating Crystal Palace 2-1, Everton are 1-0 up against Fulham, Cardiff are being held by West Brom and Sunderland vs. West Ham is goalless.

The question for Pochettino at half time will be how to turn his side's possession into chances. Saints are comfortable on the ball, but have yet to really test Krul in the Newcastle goal. He has the likes of Adam Lallana and Gaston Ramirez on the bench, and my guess is that it might not be long before we see one of them on the pitch.

This is probably their best effort so far, which Krul saved without much fuss.

Alan Pardew will be delighted with his team's first-half display. They created chances and could be 2-0 ahead. However, he will be more than satisfied with the scoreline.

Morgan Schneiderlin and Adam Lallana are coming on for the away side. Still waiting to hear who is coming off.

KICKOFF: It's Ward-Prowse and Osvaldo who make way. The players are out on the pitch and the second half is underway.

There's no doubt that Lallana gives Southampton a different dimension going forward. Osvaldo was very average in the first half. As for Ward-Prowse, he didn't do much wrong.

An early attack for Newcastle, but assistant referee Mark Scholes has his flag up against Moussa Sissoko for offside.

The match has settled into a similar pattern. Southampton have the ball, but smack it long and Krul picks it up. Disappointing.

That's better! Lambert's delicate pass over the top for Rodriguez cuts out the home defence, but the Saints striker cannot stretch enough and Krul is able to gather. Promising play, however.

Lambert is sitting deeper in the early stages of this second half. He's causing Newcastle problems and Southampton are on top at the moment. They just need to find the killer pass.

SAVE! Decent effort by Remy. A long ball is knocked down by Shola Ameobi to Remy, who hits it first time. Gazzaniga gets down low to make the save, however.

Again Remy is involved as Newcastle win a corner. Sissoko crosses from the right and Remy looks like he will shoot first time, but takes a touch and his effort is blocked. Ameobi then heads the corner wide.

Apparently Ameobi is about to be replaced by Cisse. I'm not sure about that. Ameobi has played well.

NEWCASTLE SUB: Yep, here it is. Cisse is on for Ameobi.

HITS THE POST! So close to an equaliser for Southampton! Steven Davis sets himself up with his first touch and then absolutely hammers his shot against the post. Great effort.

What a brilliant goal this is. Newcastle have a free kick, but Southampton break and rush forward. Rodriguez then plays a lovely one-two with Davis before calmly slotting the ball into the net. 1-1!

The Newcastle defenders were claiming offside after the goal, but the Saints striker was just level. That was the clearest example of counter-attack I've seen in a while.

SAVE! Decent chance for Newcastle to retake the lead. The ball bounces around in the area and Debuchy hits it, but Gazzaniga saves well.

CHANCE! It should be 2-1 to the visitors! A corner comes in and Rodriguez is all alone at the back post, but he puts his header straight at Krul. Great chance.

GREAT CHANCE! Oh my! Now it's Newcastle's turn to go close! Gazzaniga makes a complete mess of a clearance and Remy is clean through with just the goalkeeper to beat. However, he fires his shot wide from six yards. A glorious chance for the home side.

NEWCASTLE SUB: Hatem Ben Arfa is on for goalscorer Gouffran.

Here's the away side's goal.

NEWCASTLE SUB: Newcastle's last substitution sees Massadio Haidara replace Davide Santon.

SAVE! Hatem Ben Arfa is involved just minutes after coming on. His free kick on the right is towards the near post and Gazzaniga has to put it out for a corner.

WIDE! The home side have responded well since Southampton's goal. This time Tiote advances towards goal, but drags his shot wide. Just 10 minutes for either side to find a winner.

I wouldn't like to call this one. Both have done enough to win the match, but the Magpies are just edging it at the moment. Now they have a corner.

Sissoko is flagged for offside after a long punt into the box. We're into the final five minutes at St James' Park and I think there are more goals in this match.

BLOCK! Brilliant defending from Southampton sees Ben Arfa's shot blocked. It's getting tense.

The referee is down here, and I think his nose is bleeding... yep, it is. He is standing next to Sissoko, who tumbles and accidentally flings an arm towards Mike Jones, who ends up on the floor.

We have six minutes of added time!

CHANCE! Jay Rodriguez is in again but Debuchy makes a vital tackle at the last moment. Brilliant defending by the right-back. No doubt that he saved his team there.

Newcastle push forwards, but Ben Arfa holds on to the ball for too long. That was poor. He had options.

What's going on here? There's pushing and shoving in both dugouts, which I think stemmed from Morgan Schneiderlin's tackle on Haidara, which resulted in the Saints player receiving a yellow card.

SOUTHAMPTON SUB: Sam Gallagher replaces Jay Rodriguez for his Premier League debut.

We're into the seventh minute of injury time because of the referee's injury and the fuss on the touchline.

There's the full-time whistle and it's finished 1-1. On the balance of play, that is probably a fair result. Newcastle had the better of the first half, but Southampton came back in the second.

I think both managers will be pleased with the point. For Pardew, it represents four points from games against Manchester United and Southampton, while Pochettino will be delighted with the response of his players in the second half.

That's all from me. I hope you enjoyed today's live commentary, but do stay with us as we'll have reaction coming in very soon!