A much-needed response to last weekend’s defeat at home to Bournemouth as Newcastle beat Southampton 3-1 at St. Mary’s.
That’s now 10 wins in our last 11 games and the first time Newcastle have won four top flight away games in a row since 1996.
Alexander Isak’s first-half brace makes him the first Newcastle player to score in five straight Premier League away games and was much needed after a poor start saw Southampton take an early lead through Bednarek.
Sandro Tonali then rounded off the scoring in the second half, finishing calmly at the end of a lovely counter and we saw out the win without ever hitting top gear, sending us back up to fourth before Man City’s 5.30pm kick-off at home to Chelsea.
Results elsewhere mean we’re now just three points behind Champions League-chasing Nottingham Forest, who were battered 5-0 at Bournemouth in another of today’s 3pm games on the south coast.
Howe made one change, bringing Schar in for Botman at the heart of our back four. Pope was back on the bench, and Almiron was also in the squad, despite Friday night claims we’d agreed a fee with MLS side Atalanta United.
The game started with half chances for Joelinton and Gordon before Livramento missed a great opportunity to set up Isak with what should’ve been a simple cut-back.
But, despite our fast start it was Southampton who took the lead. A simple cross from the right and Bednarek found himself unmarked to had home, although that lead didn’t last long as a quickfire double from who else but Alexander Isak turned it around before the break.
The first was from the spot after a lengthy VAR check and his second an ice cool finish from Murphy’s brilliant through ball, with McCarthy’s low save denying the Swede a first half hat-trick just after the half-hour mark.
It was a little like the Spurs away game so far. A nightmare start followed by a quick recovery, where Murphy and Bruno were creative and Isak absolutely terrifying a wide open Saints defence who didn’t know how to handle him.
Our intensity had improved and it was forcing some mistakes, but we were a little sloppy on the ball and had to finish off a poor Saints side in the second half – which we did!
After two chances from corners for Harwood-Bellis forced Dubravka into saves, a superb counter made it 3-1 just five minutes into the restart. Isak flicked on to Gordon and our No.10s first time pass set Tonali in behind, where the Italian kept a cool head to slot past McCarthy before celebrating with Bruno in front of the travelling Toon Army!
Murphy then went close to making it four, cutting in on his left foot and striking the post with a lovely effort from from range. We were in total control at this point and more goals were there for us if we wanted them, although it did take a vital last-ditch tackle from Burn at the other end to deny Onuachu from making it 3-2.
After the third it felt like Southampton heads had dropped and we were in second gear. Howe made two changes, seeing Miley and Willock replace Isak and Bruno, but we almost gifted the Saints a way back into it with five minutes to play. Schar totally misjudged a long ball and Fernandes scored after bursting through on goal, but VAR helped us out again as a tight offside was called.
Five minutes of stoppage time was signalled and Howe made one final change, bringing Almiron on for Gordon in what looks set to be the Paraguayan’s last outing for the club. And that was that, not our greatest performance and a poor start, but great to see another show of character on the road as we moved back (potentially momentarily) back into the top four.
Next up, Fulham at home next weekend before a cup double against Arsenal and Birmingham. Howay the lads!
Newcastle XI: Dubravka, Livramento, Schar, Burn, Hall, Tonali, Bruno, Joelinton, Murphy, Gordon, Isak. SUBS: Pope, Trippier, Botman, Osula, Almiron, Kelly, Willock, Longstaff, Miley.
Southampton XI: McCarthy – Bree, Bednarek, Harwood-Bellis – Walker-Peters, Ugochukwu, Aribo, Manning – Fernandes, Armstrong; Onuachu. SUBS: Lumley, Wood, Sugawara, Bella-Kotchap, Downes, Smallbone, Lallana, Archer, Fraser
Good result on the road, thanks for the match report Olly .
kimtoon(Quote)
Great match report Olly!
Bournemouth really hammered Forest. Didn’t expect that and helps put our result last week into perspective somewhat. They are flying!
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Tonali was immense yet again in midfield. MotM for me I think. We were again sloppy in possession but luckily it didn’t cost us this time.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Well I guess they can only beat who’s in front of them and nufc were in cruise control for most of the game to a comfortable win.
Tonali and burn both standouts in a team who got the job done with not much fuss.
On we go to tougher games.
Jonesy(Quote)