Stoke 4-0 Newcastle United
THE ENGLAND TRIO of Jay Rodriguez, Rickie Lambert and Adam Lallana all scored to give Southampton a thumping 4-0 win against Newcastle United at St Mary’s.
Rodriguez’s two goals came either side of strikes from Lambert and Lallana to make it a miserable afternoon for visiting manager Alan Pardew, who was back after serving a three-game stadium ban following his head-butt on Hull City’s David Meyler recently.
The win lifts Southampton above Newcastle into eighth place in the table but both clubs remain cut adrift from the fight for European places while also being well clear of the relegation zone. After Toon goalkeeper Robbie Elliot had denied Rodriguez twice, the striker broke the deadlock just before half-time. Lambert sent a low pass across goal and Rodriguez this time couldn’t miss from point-blank range.
The hosts doubled their lead four minutes after the restart when Lallana floated the ball in from the right, over Rodriguez who was standing in an offside position, and Lambert fired home his 10th in the league this season. Lallana’s 70th-minute strike was the pick of the day’s goals, as he picked up the ball 45 yards out and advanced before beating Elliot with a superb strike into the top corner.
And Rodriguez scored his second of the game, and 15th in the league this season, as he cut inside Mike Williamson before finishing from close range to give Saints their biggest win of the season.
Stoke 1-0 Hull City
Stoke recorded a nervy home win over in-form Hull City at the Britannia Stadium thanks to a 62nd minute goal from Peter Odemwinge. The Tigers gifted possession to the Potters’ striker mid-way through the second half and he smashed a low drive home. Stoke are now up to the nominal/magical points total of 40. Hull’s brightest moment was a David Meyley stinger that was well saved by Asmir Begovic.
Swansea 3-0 Norwich City
Jonathan de Guzman was the Swansea hero as he scored two goals in a comfortable home win that put pressure on Norwich boss Chris Hughton. He lashed home his first after 16 minutes before dinking the ball over John Ruddy before the break. With 15 minutes left on the clock, Jonjo Shelvey teed up Wayne Routledge to make it 3-0 with a crisp drive.
– Additional reporting by Patrick McCarry
