South Africa v England: Hosts race to 280-run consolation win in final Test

 

 

Fourth Test, Centurion (day five)
South Africa 475 & 248-5 dec: Amla 96
England 342 & 101: Rabada 6-32, Morkel 3-36
South Africa won by 280 runs

South Africa bowled England out for 101 on the final morning to seal a 280-run consolation victory in the final Test.

The hosts needed only 66 minutes and 82 deliveries to take the remaining seven England wickets in Centurion.

Kagiso Rabada, 20, became the youngest South Africa bowler to take 10 wickets in a match, and finished with 6-32 to add to his first-innings 7-112.

Morne Morkel claimed 3-36, with James Taylor's 24 the highest score for England, who won the series 2-1.

England, beaten 2-0 by Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates earlier this winter, next play Test cricket against Sri Lanka at Headingley on 19 May.

All over in under a session

Having reduced England to 52-3 on Monday, South Africa hurried through the rest of the order thanks to some splendid bowling on a wearing surface.

In all, England lost their last seven wickets for 43 runs in 10.5 overs as any hopes of batting out the day vanished amid a flurry of reckless strokes.




Here's how the collapse unfolded:

• 58-4 (23.6 overs): Taylor c De Kock b Morkel 24 - gloved a brutal, rising delivery that moved away off the seam
• 58-5 (24.3): Root c Elgar b Piedt 20 - dropped off the first ball he faced on Tuesday, he soon edged a drive to slip
• 83-6 (28.3): Bairstow c De Kock b Morkel 14 - caught at slip off a Rabada no-ball, he edged the next delivery behind
• 83-7 (29.2): Stokes c S Cook b Morkel 10 - pulled straight to deep square-leg
• 91-8 (32.4): Woakes c De Kock b Rabada 5 - flailed at a wide one to be caught behind
• 101-9 (34.3): Broad c De Villiers b Rabada 2 - another drive outside off stump, another catch for slip
• 101 all out (34.4): Anderson lbw Rabada 0 - lbw on review after being struck on the toe

 

Rabada wraps it up in style

Fittingly, the lithe paceman, in only his sixth Test match, took the final three wickets as England were skittled out before a drinks break was required.

That gave Rabada match figures of 13-144, the best by a South Africa bowler on home soil and the second-best in their history.

The man of the match said: "It was a bit up and down so the key was the hit the deck and bowl the ball in a good area and I believed you'd get your rewards."

Best match figures for South Africa
13-132: Makhaya Ntini v West Indies, Port-of-Spain, 2005
13-144: Kagiso Rabada v England, Centurion, 2016
13-165: Hugh Tayfield v Australia, Melbourne, 1952
13-192: Hugh Tayfield v England, Johannesburg, 1957

 

 

'England have shown no heart' - what they said

Former England captain Michael Vaughan told BBC Test Match Special: "England have batted on a pitch with a bit of spice and they have shown no heart.

"It's almost like the white towel has been thrown in. It was a really feeble way to finish the tour."


Former England batsman Geoffrey Boycott: "Get your head down and save the match. But there was no effort this morning.

"Coming out and playing shots, does that excuse you after winning the series? No. There's no excuse for that. You have to be professional. That's not good enough."


England captain Alastair Cook on Sky Sports: "We didn't get the balance right today. Today is a blow and shows how much work we still have to do.

"This is just a blip and incredibly frustrating. For us to be at number one, we do need to start gutsing these out. We need consistency, especially with our fielding.

"I can't really fault the lads too much, because if you'd said we'd win the series 2-1, we'd have taken that. We'll enjoy winning a series away from home."

Story of the series
1st Test, Durban: England won by 241 runs
2nd Test, Cape Town: Match drawn
3rd Test, Johannesburg: England won by seven wickets
4th Test, Centurion: South Africa won by 280 runs

 

 

What next for England?

England face a South Africa Invitation XI in a warm-up game on Saturday before a five-match one-day series against South Africa gets under way on 3 February.
The sides also meet in two Twenty20 internationals on 19 and 21 February.

South Africa v England: Hashim Amla & Stephen Cook make tons
Fourth Test, Centurion (day one) South Africa 329-5: S Cook 115, Amla 109 England: yet to bat Debutant Stephen Cook and Hashim Amla made hundreds for South Africa before England fought back on day one of the fourth Test in Centurion. Cook, 33, made 115 and former captain Amla 109 in a stand of 202. Both men were dropped - Cook on 47 and Amla on five - but England's bowlers showed little control of line or length in the first two sessions. However, the tourists took four wickets after tea to leave South Africa 329-5 at the close. Although England lost the toss, the heavy atmosphere in Centurion suggested the bowlers might receive some assistance, only for the visiting attack to fail to get the ball in the right areas often enough. As a result, Cook and Amla made the most of a true surface, before England's late rally kept their chances of a 3-0 series win, and their best result in South Africa since 1914, still alive. Cook makes up for lost time   Right-hander Cook, son of former South Africa opener Jimmy, had scored more than 11,000 runs in a 15-year first-class career before finally getting his chance at the highest level in one of five changes to the Proteas side. He looked immediately at home, whipping his first ball through mid-wicket for four in a portent of things to come, with England erring so frequently on the leg side that 80 of his 115 came off his pads. Only when he neared three figures did he lose his composure, spending an hour in the 90s and surviving an lbw review on 98. After he became the 100th man to score a century on Test debut, a rare error around off stump saw play on off Chris Woakes.   Awesome Amla In his second-wicket stand with Cook, the wristy Amla was imperious. He played a number of beautiful drives - 13 of his 19 fours came through the covers - and whips through mid-wicket. His century, reached by tucking James Anderson off his pads, was his 25th in Test cricket and fifth at Centurion Park. Amla appeared so comfortable that it was a surprise when he too played on off Ben Stokes just after tea.
England go from ridiculous... England, so rampant in the third Test win in Johannesburg, were well below their best in the first two sessions, with Stuart Broad and James Taylor perhaps the only members of the XI that were due praise. Broad was again dangerous with the new ball, while Taylor pulled off another brilliant catch at short leg, this time moving with the charging Dean Elgar to get an inside edge off Moeen Ali lodged between his legs. But the rest of the pace attack, particularly James Anderson and Woakes, were woefully inaccurate and Jonny Bairstow was guilty of two wicketkeeping errors. First, he dived to distract Alastair Cook, who dropped Amla's edge off Stokes, and then failed to hold on to another diving chance when Stephen Cook edged Broad. ...to the resurgent England's improvement came in the evening session, which was oddly delayed by around 10 minutes when water was discovered to be oozing from the ground square of the wicket. When play resumed, England's bowlers showed greater control and benefitted from South Africa errors as the hosts slipped from 237-1 to 273-5. After Stokes accounted for Amla, AB de Villiers edged Broad to second slip for a second-ball duck. And once Woakes removed Cook, JP Duminy played a horrible swipe at Moeen to be pinned lbw. Still, Temba Bavuma and Quinton de Kock added an unbeaten 56 against the second new ball and a prolonged occupation by one or both of them on the second morning could yet bat England out of the game. What they said South Africa batsman Stephen Cook on BBC Test Match Special: "I had to wait a long time [to play Test cricket], so when I was in the 90s I thought, 'I've had to wait so long, so I might as well wait another hour if I have to [to get a century].' "There were times when things were tough, when you think maybe this dream won't come true. Now I'm feeling absolute elation. It really is a dream come true." Former England batsman Geoffrey Boycott: "Cook's footwork was immaculate, absolutely gorgeous. His shots were nice touch shots. "They have had airy fairy opening batsmen in but where has he been? For 90 runs he looked an excellent opening batsmen." England batsman Joe Root: "In the first two hours we probably weren't at our best, but the way we applied ourselves and came back in that last session was a fantastic effort."

            Johanna Konta shocks Venus Williams at the Australian Open

Johanna Konta outclassed eighth seed Venus Williams 6-4 6-2 to reach the second round of the Australian Open.

Britain's number one, 24, raced to victory in 79 minutes as seven-time Grand Slam champion Williams, her left thigh heavily strapped, struggled.

Konta denied that 35-year-old Williams' age had anything to do with the American's laboured display.
"It's irrelevant how old she is because she's such a champion with so much experience and knowledge," said Konta.

"Even if she's playing with one leg out there, you've got to really take care of things on your own because she's an incredible player. I have all the respect for her in the world."

Where the match was won
Konta hit five aces to Williams' one and won 71% of her points on first serve compared to just 52 from Williams.

 

Konta leads British women's challenge

Konta, who reached the last 16 at the 2015 US Open, is the only British woman left in the singles draw following Heather Watson's defeat on Monday.

The world number 47, making her Australian Open debut, will now face China's Zheng Saisai.
Andy Murray also won to join Konta in the second round but Dan Evans and Aljaz Bedene both went out.

"Right now it is still very much a blur," added Konta, who lost in the first round at her two warm-up tournaments.

"When the draw came out and I saw who I was playing, I was just hoping to stay out there more than an hour.

"I played two previous tournaments and didn't quite get the results I wanted but I have a very strong belief in the way I want to play and the way I want to be thinking."

Beating a legend 'still very much a blur'

The Briton, who has described Williams as her idol, moved her opponent around the court and hit deep into the corners to take control of the match.

Konta broke serve twice in the first set and then eased to a 5-0 lead in the second before the American rallied briefly.

But Konta held her nerve to secure a famous victory over the former world number one.
"Right now it is still very much a blur," added Konta, who lost in the first round at her two warm-up tournaments.

"When the draw came out and I saw who I was playing, I was just hoping to stay out there more than an hour.

"I played two previous tournaments and didn't quite get the results I wanted but I have a very strong belief in the way I want to play and the way I want to be thinking."

South Africa v England: Joe Root and Ben Stokes turn tide     Third Test, Johannesburg (day two) South Africa 313: Elgar 46, Stokes 3-53 England 238-5: Root 106*, Stokes 58

England's Joe Root scored a dazzling century to reverse the momentum of the third Test after South Africa looked set to take control in Johannesburg.

Replying to the Proteas' 313, England were wobbling at 22-2 and 91-4.

But Root combined with Ben Stokes to counter-attack in a fifth-wicket stand of 111 made at a rate of seven an over.

After Stokes fell for 58, Root moved to three figures and was 106 not out when bad light and rain ended day two 80 minutes early with England 238-5.

What made the effort of Root and Stokes all the more outstanding was its contrast to the rest of the England batting, as the majority of the top order struggled on a lively pitch against a hostile South Africa attack.

As England teetered, they responded by flaying the Proteas to all parts of the Bullring to give the tourists, 1-0 up in the four-match series, every chance of earning a first-innings lead.

Fight fire with fire

When James Taylor inside-edged Morne Morkel to short leg, England were 222 behind with six first-innings wickets remaining in conditions that seemed perilous for batting.

Stokes was almost hit on the jaw by Morkel from the second ball he faced, but when he hooked his fifth ball from Kagiso Rabada for six, it began an exhilarating passage of play.

The South Africa bowlers, previously rampant, were left short of ideas, just as they were when Stokes plundered 258 in the second Test in Cape Town.

Root scored all around, with cuts, pulls and some flowing straight drives, while Stokes whipped off his pads, slashed through third man and played one disdainful lofted drive off Morkel that encapsulated England's dominance.

Morkel would have his revenge, holding Stokes' leading edge off his own bowling, but Root completed his century with a wonderful cover drive and had added 36 with Jonny Bairstow at more than five an over when the weather intervened.

Root was limping for some of his innings and needed treatment on his left leg

"It's been a masterclass"

Former England captain Michael Vaughan: "It's been a masterclass in how to grab control of a situation and change the course of a Test match in an hour and a half. The South African attack were looking at each other as if they were wondering who wanted to bowl.

"There's not many teams who can play like this. There's a bit of genius about it. Ben Stokes has got a Gilchrist and Sobers-like ability to change a match."

Former South Africa captain Graeme Smith: "What a knock from Joe Root. He's looked a class above on this surface, with energy and intensity. He's pounced on anything loose."

Ex-England batsman Geoffrey Boycott: "At times England were scoring 10 an over. Stokes is a game-changer. And at the opposite end, Root was playing magnificently. He's got the lot and batted beautifully."

England batsman Joe Root: "I'm very pleased at the moment but you'll have to ask to me at the end of the game to get a true reflection on it. Any sort of lead will be important because it will be close encounter. Whether that be 50, 100 or 20, edging in front is our goal."

 

Hail Hardus

That England were in peril was partly down to the imposing presence of Hardus Viljoen, the towering pace bowler on debut.

Viljoen had Alastair Cook caught down the leg side from his very first delivery in Test cricket, becoming only the 20th bowler in the history of the game to strike with his first ball.

Not only that, but Viljoen hit the first ball he faced with the bat for four. New Zealander Matt Henderson, against England in 1930, is the only other Test cricketer to complete such a double.
Viljoen was 20 not out when Morkel was the last to fall, edging Stokes to first slip. That too was Stokes' first delivery after coming on midway through an over because James Anderson had to be removed from the attack after running on the pitch.

England's wobble

 

 

Viljoen's dismissal of Cook came as both England openers fell cheaply and in familiar circumstances.

Alex Hales slashed Rabada to second slip with a flat-footed drive, while Cook's edge down the leg side, often seen as unlucky, is happening often enough to suggest the captain might have a problem.

Nick Compton was dropped at second slip on six but edged Rabada to the same place 20 runs later, while Taylor bat-padded Morkel to be well held by Temba Bavuma.

England were in danger of being rolled over. Then came the Root and Stokes blitz.

South Africa v England: Finn & Stokes wickets give tourists edge

 

 

Third Test, Johannesburg (day one)

South Africa 267-7: Elgar 46, Finn 2-50

England: yet to bat

England took wickets regularly to have the better of the first day of the third Test against South Africa.

The tourists recovered from a poor morning session to reduce the home side from 117-1 to 267-7 in Johannesburg.

Steven Finn and Ben Stokes each took two wickets, with Stuart Broad and Moeen Ali adding one apiece.

Too many of the South Africa batsmen wasted starts, but an unbroken stand of 42 between Chris Morris and Kagiso Rabada gave the Proteas a late boost.

That took the home side from 225-7, where they were in danger of surrendering, to a position where they could reach a par score of about 300.

England, 1-0 up with this and one more Test to play, will look for the final three wickets on the second morning, then set about batting long enough to secure a first-innings lead.

 

 

 

A slow start

On a pitch offering the most pace, bounce and encouragement for the fast bowlers than any of their previous five Tests this winter, England were guilty of erring too often in the morning session. Broad seemed affected by illness, while James Anderson is still feeling his way back after a calf injury.

AB de Villiers, in his first match since replacing Hashim Amla as South Africa captain, took the bold move to bat first under grey skies and looked like being vindicated during the early part of the day.

Dean Elgar and Stiaan Van Zyl scored 44 watchful runs for the first wicket before Stokes induced Van Zyl into the first of a series of misjudged South African pull shots.

Then Elgar and Amla, who mixed fortune with cover drives, looked set to be laying a decent platform with a second-wicket stand of 73.

The improvement

However, England were rejuvenated after lunch, especially through Finn, who was the pick of the bowlers throughout.

It was off-spinner Moeen, though, who made the breakthrough, getting one to turn and bounce at Elgar, with the left-hander feathering behind for 46.

And when Finn, who at times looked unplayable, produced a beauty that nipped away to take the edge of Amla, South Africa had lost two wickets for 10 runs. At 127-3, England had an opening.
De Villiers was intent on counter-attacking but he was caught behind on 36, attempting an ugly hook off Stokes, and South Africa began to subside.

Wasteful Proteas

 

 

For all the menace presented when the bowlers got it right, the surface also allowed batsmen to score if the bowling was off-target.

For that reason, South Africa can reflect on a wasted opportunity, particularly as they managed to avoid falling to England's good deliveries yet somehow gave wickets away to the poor ones.

The watchful Faf du Plessis was caught on the leg-side boundary off Finn and wicketkeeper Dane Vilas - rushed to the Wanderers from Port Elizabeth on the morning of the match after an injury to Quinton de Kock - hooked Broad to long leg.

In between, Temba Bavuma, looking comfortable after a maiden century in the second Test, was run out for 23 after being called through by Vilas - substitute fielder Chris Woakes firing in the throw that Jonny Bairstow did well to pick up and remove the bails in one movement.

In the end, it needed the correct Morris and fortunate Rabada to score off the second new ball. The value of their contribution will be measured when England come to bat.

 

'They played silly shots' - what they said

Former England batsman Geoffrey Boycott on Test Match Special: "If I'm South Africa I'm disappointed with that.

"Amla and Elgar were the only two people who were got out by good balls. Four of them got out to cross-batted shots, and the run-out. They played silly shots and gave it away."

Ex-England captain Michael Vaughan: "South Africa have had many small partnerships but not one that really hurts an opposition team and goes a long way to winning a Test match."

England bowling coach Ottis Gibson: "We were on it for most of the day. We got better as the day went on.

"To lose the toss and bowl first, to have the opposition seven down is just reward for some hard work. We've got to be happy with that."

South Africa v England: Hashim Amla century frustrates tourists

Second Test, Cape Town (day three)
England 629-6 dec: Stokes 258, Bairstow 150*; Rabada 3-175
South Africa 353-3: Amla 157*, du Plessis 51*; Stokes 1-67
South Africa trail by 276 runs

Hashim Amla's unbeaten 157 helped South Africa frustrate England, who took only one wicket on day three of the second Test in Cape Town.

The Proteas captain batted through the day to lead the hosts to 353-3, trailing by 276.
Dropped on 76 and 120, Amla added 183 with AB de Villiers, who fell for 88 to Steven Finn shortly before tea.

Faf du Plessis ended the day on 51, having helped Amla add an unbroken 85 for the fourth wicket.
South Africa, who trail 1-0 in the four-match series, require a further 77 to avoid the follow-on at Newlands, where the past six Tests have produced a positive result.

Day two saw 453 runs scored, the most in a day of Test cricket in South Africa, yet the hosts - resuming on 141-2 - added only 212 on Monday in reply to England's 629-6 declared.

 

From brutal Stokes to patient Amla

Amla's elegant and stoic style was markedly different to the fearless hitting of Ben Stokes and Jonny Bairstow on Sunday but proved effective as South Africa continued their defiant response.

After being reprieved by James Anderson off Joe Root's off-spin, Amla punished England in the steely manner of old to reach his first century in over a year.

In reaching 50, De Villiers went past 8,000 Test runs as he and Amla recorded South Africa's first century stand since 2014.

Having managed 251 runs in eight Tests at an average of 22.81 in 2015, he went past 150 for the seventh time in his career.

Amla scored only three runs in 40 balls after bringing up the landmark, while Du Plessis played watchfully as England toiled in hot conditions.

 

 

Careless catching costs England

The part-time off-spin of Root drew Amla, on 76, into a rare flashing drive, but Anderson could not hold on to a sharp chance at slip.

The Proteas skipper was also put down on 120 by a diving Nick Compton at backward point off Finn, England's third drop of the match after Root reprieved De Villiers on Sunday evening.

"England dropped catches which at this level should have been taken," former England captain


Michael Vaughan said on BBC Test Match Special.

"If they had taken them they would have been in a really strong position."

England looked threatening with the new ball before tea, Finn bowling with pace and bounce to have De Villiers caught via a mistimed pull to a juggling Anderson at square-leg.

England could not sustain the pressure, though, and the decision to throw the ball to opening batsman and part-time spinner Alex Hales late in the day was indicative of their struggles on a lifeless wicket.

 

Analysis

BBC cricket correspondent Jonathan Agnew
"It was not a great watch but Test cricket is all about playing the situation. South Africa were tremendous; they showed an awful lot of character."

"England dropped catches and half-chances which, in situations like this, are what win games. If you drop both De Villiers and Amla you are effectively saying you can double your average.

"Steven Finn was the pick of the bowlers. He really had De Villiers hopping around, ran in well at good pace and was outstanding in conditions not giving him very much.

"The problem for England now is that they have some tired bowlers that even when they bowl South Africa out, whenever that may be, will they have the energy left to do anything on the last day if the opportunity arises?"

 

'Don't blame the England captain' - what they said

Former England batsman Geoffrey Boycott on Test Match Special:

 "Alastair Cook tried everything: unorthodox fielding placings and he tried Alex Hales and Joe Root. What else can the lad do? Don't blame the captain of England. He couldn't do any more.
"It's not over but England need to bowl them out by lunch so they've a smidgen of a chance of winning."

Former England captain Michael Vaughan: "It was a really good day for South Africa, in particular a captain that has been under pressure. Amla occupied the crease with a presence we have seen for so many years."

Sussex cricketer Matthew Hobden has died at the age of 22.

In a statement, the club said it was "deeply shocked and saddened". The cause of death has not been given.

Born and educated in Eastbourne, seam bowler Hobden made his first-class debut in 2014 and represented Sussex in all formats of the game.

England's lead fast bowling coach Kevin Shine said: "His potential was huge. He was improving rapidly and I'm certain that he would have played for England."

England's players are wearing black armbands on day two of the second Test against South Africa in Cape Town on Sunday as a mark of respect for Hobden, who made his final appearance in a one-day match against Essex last August.

He took 23 wickets at an average of 47.30 in 10 County Championship Division One games last season.

A Sussex statement read: "Matthew was an exciting young cricketer with a big future ahead of him in the game.

"He was a fantastic individual who had progressed through Sussex's Youth and Academy ranks, having been born locally in Eastbourne.

"Sussex would like to offer their deepest condolences to Matthew's family and friends at this difficult time."

Angus Porter, chief executive of the Professional Cricketers' Association, said: "Matt was a young seamer with immense potential.

"The PCA will work closely with Sussex to ensure that their players and coaching staff are supported during this difficult period for the club."

Former England and Sussex wicketkeeper and batsman Matt Prior wrote on Twitter: "One of those days when u get a call that puts perspective on things. Live life and love everyday as much as you can! So sad! #RIPhobsy"

 

 

England potential

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) said it was "shocked and saddened" by the news.
A right-arm bowler, Hobden was selected for the Potential England Performance Programme for the past two winters.

"As a player, I remember the first time I saw him just thinking 'wow'," added Shine. "He was the strongest, most powerful cricketer I've ever seen on that programme.

"He contributed to the group as much as I've ever seen a player contribute. All the lads, and the staff, loved him."


Team Mates Reaction

Shaw Post  would like to offer it's condolences to Matt Hobden's family at this very hard time.

 Arsenal 1 - 0 Newcastle United 

Arsenal moved two points clear of Leicester at the top of the Premier League table with a win over Newcastle. 

The unconvincing Gunners looked set for a point on a soggy Emirates Stadium pitch until defender Laurent Koscielny came to the rescue with a close-range poked winner in the 72nd minute.

The Magpies should have come away with at least a point, having been on the front foot for much of the second half.

Georginio Wijnaldum went closest but his shot was saved by Petr Cech.

One-nil to the Arsenal... just

Goalscorer Laurent Koscielny was too quick for his marker Ayoze Perez 

It was not pretty, nor was it particularly effective but it was a win that kept the belief going among Arsenal fans that this might be their season.

The Gunners did not deserve the three points, and few would have begrudged the Magpies victory, but the goal encapsulated why Arsenal are top and why the visitors are struggling.

Newcastle striker Ayoze Perez covered a lot of ground, helping out his team-mates in midfield to quell the danger posed by the likes of Mesut Ozil, Theo Walcott and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.
However, the young Spaniard switched off in the 72nd minute, allowing Koscielny to stick out a foot and convert an Olivier Giroud header.

 

 

 

The stats don't lie

Few would have expected this possession stat: Arsenal 51% - Newcastle 49%.

The Magpies midfield dominated their counterparts for periods of the match. The wingers did not look up for the battle, with Oxlade-Chamberlain only winning 33.3% of his duels, while Theo Walcott won 36.4% of his - the two lowest figures in the Arsenal side.

Ayoze Perez (left) and Theo Walcott (right) played in similar roles, but Perez covered far more ground for his team 

Newcastle can take heart from their display. Jack Colback and Wijnaldum were particularly outstanding in the middle of the park, winning more than 70% of their battles.

 

 

 

Newcastle need to hit the January sales

Defence? Fine. Midfield? Excellent. Strikers? Hmm...

The Magpies looked a threat in attack in their past three outings, but Steve McClaren's forwards have been misfiring terribly. From their 32 efforts on goal, they have only managed to find the target once. Newcastle have only scored 19 times this season - the third-lowest total in the league.

Serbia striker Aleksandar Mitrovic, who cost £13m in the summer, was supposed to arrest the problem of last season, but has yet to settle. Perez has been in and out of the side, while Papiss Cisse is inconsistent and often injured - as was the case on Saturday.

Does Magpies' owner Mike Ashley, who spent north of £60m in the summer, have any money left in the kitty?

 

 

Man of the match - Daryl Janmaat (Newcastle)

The Dutch full-back was excellent down the right and a great supply line for the forwards. Sadly his team-mates in attack could not finish off his good work

What the managers said

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger: "We were not at our best but we had to dig deep and we can do that when needed.

"If you are down there then those are the matches you lose but they will not stay down there - they are a good team.

"It was about solidarity, tired legs and taking a chance from a set piece. We were not at our best today, but over Christmas in four games we took nine points so we can look back and say we did 75% of our job as we lost at Southampton."

Asked if his side would be signing anyone in the transfer window, Wenger replied: "Imminent, no, but we will look."

Newcastle manager Steve McClaren: "The players can't believe it, we controlled and dominated the game after the first 10 minutes.

"We asked for a performance and the players gave it, but we conceded one soft goal and lost the game. You can't fault the performance, we just have to be more ruthless at both ends.

"We caused them so many problems and controlled them at the back and we're bewildered how we have not got anything."