Coming into United's fourth game of the season on the back of a trio of defeats, our innate glumness had checked the odds on another reverse courtesy of an Adam Armstrong goal - 25/1 if you were interested.

Tyneside's prodigal son failed to find the net as he did in 21 attempts for his hometown club, but would make a pivotal contribution to proceedings deep into second half added time.

At that point an atmosphere that had veered between positive and poisonous all afternoon was firmly in the joy zone , as Steve Bruce's side appeared to have pulled off a smash and grab raid to snatch three undeserved points.

Despair though was be lurking in the Leazes penalty area; as Jamaal Lascelles made contact with Armstrong to concede his second VAR spot kick in as many Premier League games - this one rather more clear cut than the Villa one. 

Blue skies lent a positive air to proceedings at kick off time, but temperatures in the stands would soon be raised by the ineptness of United's efforts rather than the Tyneside sunshine. The honeymoon period for fans back in SJP has barely lasted as long as a best man's speech...

Anti-Bruce chants were audible from both the Leazes and Gallowgate Ends as early as the half hour mark as Southampton eclipsed the hosts, but were thankfully unable to translate their dominance into goals at that point.

Newcastle were booed off after a scoreless first half, before Callum Wilson's diving header gave them the lead 10 minutes after the restart amid great celebration and tangible relief.

That advantage lasted 20 minutes before Freddie Woodman parried an effort at his back post from Mohamed Elyounoussi after Nathan Redmond's cross but was unable to stop the same player forcing the rebound in.

Allan Saint-Maximin then looked to have won it when he fired home in the first minute of added time after Alex McCarthy blocked Ryan Fraser's shot.

Off and running then? Oh no. A succession of unwise non-interventions soon culminated in Jamaal Lascelles making contact with Armstrong in completing a 93rd minute clearance from his own six yard box.

After some momentary confusion, the dreaded VAR penalty message was posted on the big screen before match referee Paul Tierney went off to check the pitchside screen - which only has one outcome as we know to our cost.

The inevitable spot kick award was then stroked home by James Ward-Prowse in the 96th minute. There may have been further booing when the full time whistle rang out seconds later, but it just didn't register.

Having also faced a League Cup penalty shootout in midweek, Woodman could be forgiven for feeling somewhat shell-shocked, never mind the punch-drunk spectators watching this horror show unfurl again and again.

If nothing else, Newcastle go into the international break having broken their points duck - Bruce having avoided emulating Ruud Gullit, the last Toon boss to begin a season with a trio of losses.

But at the risk of repeating ourselves, the furore over this latest VAR decision fails to mask the glaring issues across the field, especially in a woeful first half when Southampton's Moussa Djenepo was guilty of missing two absolute sitters in quick succession. 

Quite simply we didn't look prepared for the task in hand; relying on counter attacking and going into panic mode whenever the opposition stepped up.

The Wilson and Saint-Maximin goals may have stemmed the growing tide of criticism against the manager, but that promises to be only a temporary reprieve on this evidence. Never mind the short blanket, this was fur coat and no knickers.

ASM fleetingly appeared to have salvaged what felt like a monumental if undeserved three points - and in the process wipe the collective memory banks of another clownish display from the Frenchman.

It wasn't to be though, our on-field failings thus far this season matched by an apparent curse that we're helpless to prevent shafting us at every possible turn. Yes it was a penalty, but we appear to be being micro-managed, with every possible indiscretion highlighted.

In referencing the most overt anti-Bruce crowd reaction since he joined the club, it's worth stating that his most vocal critics had already deserted their seats and voted with their feet: today felt like the sound of more tolerant supporters exhausting their reservoirs of patience.

Not that it will matter a jot: if anything the catcalls will harden the attitude of this lot to retain their loyal servant - and were that to change, another sap would doubtless be unearthed from somewhere.

The names might change, the issues won't: the bigger picture remains unpalatable. We avoid relegation simply to flirt with it once again, having fallen into the abyss twice so far under the current ownership.

The considerable payoff due to the Steves would of course have to be funded from somewhere, selling a player perhaps - if anyone actually wanted to buy one....

The Saints have now taken just five points from the last 42 on offer away from home. And aside from today's, the other four came last season, courtesy of two teams now plying their trade in the Championship.

Coupling that travel sickness with the lamentable record Southampton have on Tyneside in particular, it's pertinent to ask the question just who we expect to actually beat this season.

And things get no easier after we return in September, with our next two opponents rattling in seven goals apiece as they both collected maximum points from us last season.

The transfer window closes on August 31st. Or Tuesday as we call it here.

Biffa