Newcastle missed a number of chances – and were also denied several times by goalkeeper Alex McCarthy – at the St Mary’s Stadium before Saint-Maximin’s late intervention.
“We were probing and probing and probing,” said Matt Ritchie. “It was one of those where you miss a penalty, and a couple of chances, and think ‘is it going to happen for us?’. Absolutely delighted.
“We kept plugging away. That’s what you’ve got to do. As I say, against 10 men, they sit in, banked up, and that makes it difficult. We know that. We’ve been on the other side of it. It’s tough to play against. Luckily enough, Maxi got the goal.”
McCarthy dived low to his left to stop RItchie’s first-half penalty, which was awarded for a Sofiane Boufal handball after another VAR review.
“I feel confident (taking penalties),” said Ritchie, who is not on social media and, as such, was spared the online reaction to his penalty. “I practice so much. I haven’t seen the penalty back, but I felt I hit the penalty well.
“I put it in the corner. I quite often go the other side. When I hit the penalty, I felt it was in the corner. I felt I connected well. The only thing is that it was a good height for the goalie, and maybe if I lifted it a little bit higher, it could be a different story, a different outcome.
“For sure, I always feel confident from the spot. I’ve converted most. I missed against Everton, but I’m gutted really. It was a great opportunity to put the lads in a great position going into the break.
“It wasn’t to be. I’ve got thick skin. I’ll continue and stay positive and, as I always do, give my best for the team.”