Alexander Isak scored twice as Newcastle came from behind to beat Southampton 3-1 at St Mary’s Stadium.
The Magpies were 1-0 down after Jan Bednarek’s early header but, after Isak won and converted a penalty, the Sweden striker netted a second just four minutes later with a curled finish.
Isak’s quickfire double invigorated Eddie Howe’s team and, after half-time, Sandro Tonali added a third to put the result beyond doubt.
Newcastle are now back in the Premier League’s top four, before Chelsea’s game against Manchester City later on Saturday, while Southampton remain rooted the the foot of the table.
Howe said that his side were fatigued in last week’s 4-1 home defeat by Bournemouth and the Magpies started sluggishly at St Mary’s.
Bednarek rose high to head James Bree’s cross beyond Martin Dubravka, rewarding Ivan Juric’s team for a positive start.
But after the visitors were awarded a penalty for Joe Aribo’s foul on Isak, the in-form forward converted from the spot to restore parity.
Isak nonchalantly finished from Jacob Murphy’s pinpoint pass moments later, as Howe’s side seized control.
Tonali netted early on in the second half, as the Magpies dominated, with Murphy striking the post and Isak being denied a hat-trick by Alex McCarthy – in goal for Southampton with Aaron Ramsdale injured.
Matheus Fernandes looked to have set up a grandstand finish with a late strike but it was ruled out for offside, as Newcastle took all three points back to Tyneside.
Southampton 1 – 3 Newcastle United
Isak gives Magpies more bite on road
Isak has been in fine form in 2024-25, netting 17 times in the league.
Only Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah (19) has scored more in the Premier League so far this season.
When Isak netted from the spot he became the first ever Newcastle player to score in five consecutive away league games.
Such individual form has been a catalyst for Newcastle’s success on their travels this season, with the Magpies already equalling their tally of six Premier League away wins from 2023-24.
With away form being something of an Achilles heel for the Magpies, Howe’s side seem to have rediscovered their bite on the road this term.
‘Southampton have to settle for fact they are going down’ – Walcott
As has been the case in Southampton’s recent defeats by Manchester United and Nottingham Forest, the Saints’ attacking threat could not outweigh their defensive fragility.
Despite Bednarek’s early opener, the concession of a penalty led to Newcastle drawing level just six minutes later.
After they had gone behind, Taylor Harwood-Bellis almost got a Southampton equaliser at the start of the second half, but was denied by Dubravka’s flying save.
Like with their opening goal, the Saints chance came moments before Tonali strode in behind and scored the visitors’ third.
Juric’s team threatened late on but, after Fernandes capitalised on a Fabian Schar error and beat Dubravka, the goal was ruled out for offside.
Southampton remain at the bottom of the table on six points and are 10 from safety.
Derby County’s tally of 11 points in 2007-08 is the lowest a team has ever recorded in the top flight.
“Southampton now have to settle for the fact that they’re going down,” said former Saints attacker Theo Walcott.
“I’ll come out of retirement if they stay up.”
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