Southampton's Harwood-Bellis reflects on Premier League debut: Everything I Expected

The Saints had the numerical advantage for most of the game at St. James' Park over the weekend.

However, they lost 1-0 and were left to regret a lot of missed chances in the contest.

Speaking to BBC Radio Solent, youngster Harwood-Bellis said: “This is something I’ve waited a year for. As I’ve said before, I felt as though I was ready for it at the start of last season.

“It was everything I expected it to be and more and the way we played helped. From the outside there were people wondering if the way the gaffer wants to play will work.

“We knew. I’m not saying we knew it was going to be easy - we knew we had to be on it with the way they play. If we do, it’s going to work.