Saints once again put in a workmanlike performance that is becoming a trademark of this season.
Saints won their third away win in a week with yet another performance that saw keeper Fraser Forster without a save of note to make, this win is even more satisfying as it was done with three key members of the squad out injured, another two away on International duty and a sixth on the bench having not played in over six weeks.
With 14 minutes gone Saints took the lead with a well worked goal that is becoming their trademark, José Fonte played a ball up to Pelle who rose to chest it down to James Ward Prowse who threaded a nicely waited pass to Eljero Elia whose low shot was low and crisp and in truth should have been saved by Krul, but that should not take anything away from Elia who had to make the run and under pressure get in the shot.
The equaliser on 29 minutes was an unforced error from Florin Gardos, the through ball was about to be smothered by Forster when Gardos decided to take no chances and clear the ball, unfortunately the clearance hit the knee of Gouffran who was running in but had no real idea of it happening.
But Saints didn't let this setback throw them out of their stride and like in the previous two games this week they were happy to let Newcastle have possession and deal with attacks comfortably.
But the game needed a winner for Saints and once again Koeman showed that he knows when and how to make a substitution, bringing on Cork and Long with half an hour remaining, the reason was two fold, firstly to bring on fresh legs to make sure the home side did not turn possession into pressure and secondly to offer the finishing and running of Long.
The move paid off within two minutes Reed headed clear and Long rose to guide his header right into the path of Elia who again did what e needed too.
From then on it was never in doubt with the only real worrying moment being when Fonte appeared to handle the ball, luckily the ref didn't agree with the appealling home players and Saints survived tis late scare.
Perhaps the most satisfying win of the week, maybe the season as it was done under such adversity, the loss of Alderweireld, Schneiderlin and Wanyama, arguably our three best players would rock any side in the Premier, the fact that we have taken it in our stride and won three tough games away from home in a week ending with this one with a truly depleted squad is very pleasing, but even more pleasing is seeing how the fringe players like Harrison Reed and Matt Targett to name but two have stepped up to the plate.
Not to mention Eljero Elia who showed that he is a great addition to the squad with his pace and ability to get the ball on target, both of his goals had an element of luck about them, but the fact is you have to get it on target and make your own luck and Elia did that.
Only real downside was that although in the main we were clinical at the back, the goal showed we have to make sure we don't get complacent and on a couple of occasions we didn't mark up at set pieces as we should have done but luckily Newcastle could not capitalise.
But these are minor issues that I'm sure we will learn from, this season has been one of watching a side learn with every game and use that knowledge to improve, this we have done and done well.