Southampton have taken a deserved three points against Newcastle United with goals from Adam Lallana and Gaston Ramirez, lifting them out of the drop zone.

Southampton started the stronger side with Nathaniel Clyne coming close early on, but his shot hit his own man Lallana and went wide.

Ramirez was inches away from giving Southampton the lead in the 24th minute but his free-kick hit the post.

Tim Krul of Newcastle was forced into action just after the half-hour mark as he saved with his legs from a Jason Puncheon cross.

A minute later Rickie Lambert tried from a free-kick. With Krul beaten he also saw his effort cannon off the woodwork, this time the crossbar saving the visitors.

However, Saints did not have to wait much longer for their deserved opener as Lallana tapped into an empty net after Clyne's shot had been blocked.

Newcastle started the second half much brighter and Papiss Cisse had a great chance inside nine minutes of the restart but shot straight at Paulo Gazzaniga.

Then, on 60 minutes, Southampton made it 2-0. Krul spilled a Puncheon cross straight to Ramirez, who made no mistake doubling his side's advantage.

Ramirez twice went down in the box, but both times his shouts for a penalty were waved away. In between both shouts, Puncheon struck the post and was inches away from wrapping up the points.

Davide Santon forced Gazzaniga into a fine stop in the 72nd minutes, with Newcastle showing they were not yet out of it.

Jose Fonte headed against the crossbar and Jay Rodriguez had a goal harshly ruled out for offside, but there were to be no more goals and Southampton were comfortable winners.