Rafa Benitez Stays Optimistic After 2-2 Draw Against Southampton Away

Newcastle United had the chance to win against Southampton at St Mary's on Sunday afternoon as they went ahead of the Saints twice in the game thanks to goals from Isaac Hayden and Ayoze Perez.

However, the visitors ended up drawing due to a Manolo Gabbiadini double which saw the second half of the game turn intense on both sides. 

The Guardian reports that Newcastle manager Rafa Benitez believes that his team did well in the game and hopes to achieve better results in future matches.

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"I think during the game you could see that we could get the three points," he said. "After with the penalty, they were pushing. 

"It was quite difficult, but we finished strong and we could have scored at the end. Difficult, but at least we get a point and we finished with ambition."

The Spaniard revealed that although he thinks his team did well, the biggest disappointment was not getting the full three points for the travelling away fans.

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"We did well, but still we conceded two goals so something was wrong. We have to keep working hard, keep improving, and my big disappointment was a pity for the fans.

"To bring 3,500 fans away, this distance and on a Sunday, we could have won three points and they would be happier."

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Benitez is optimistic for the future and insists his Newcastle side will make improvements in attack, defence and ball possession.

"We are fine, but we can be better and we have to be better and hopefully we will be better. We have to defend better, don’t concede two goals, attack better, to score more than two, keep the ball a bit better, but I’m still very happy with the team."