Southampton1 - 3Newcastle

Jan Bednarek's thumping header sent Southampton ahead early on, but Isak scored twice in the space of four first-half minutes, one of which was from the penalty spot, to turn the match around at St Mary's.

Isak has now become the first Newcastle player to score in five consecutive Premier League away matches, while he is now on 17 league goals for the campaign, one below Erling Haaland and just two behind Mohamed Salah.

Newcastle then scored a third early in the second period through Sandro Tonali; Southampton thought that they had a second late on through Mateus Fernandes, but his effort was chalked off following a VAR check, with the Magpies running out 3-1 winners on the afternoon.

Eddie Howe's side will end the weekend in fifth spot in the Premier League table, one point ahead of sixth-placed Chelsea, while Southampton remain rock bottom of the division, 10 points from the safety of 17th position.

SPORTS MOLE'S VERDICT

It all started so well for Southampton, but the quick-fire brace from Isak was incredibly damaging, and the Saints have now suffered their 19th defeat from 23 Premier League matches during the 2024-25 campaign.

Southampton are 10 points behind 17th spot, and considering that they have picked up just six points from their opening 23 matches, it is incredibly difficult to imagine them staying in the division this term.

While the Saints are staring at relegation, Newcastle are a team on the rise, with the Magpies looking every inch an outfit capable of securing a return to the Champions League for the 2025-26 campaign.

The Magpies are packed full of talent, but they boast arguably the best striker in Europe, certainly in the Premier League, with Haaland not quite showing his best form this season despite another very healthy goal return.

Isak is on 17 Premier League goals this season and 19 in all competitions, and the 25-year-old's second goal at St Mary's was an indication of his immense talent, with the touch and finish from the Swede absolutely exceptional.

SOUTHAMPTON VS. NEWCASTLE HIGHLIGHTS

10th min: Southampton 1-0 Newcastle (Jan Bednarek)

Southampton make the breakthrough in the 10th minute of the contest, and it is a towering header from Bednarek, with the centre-back converting a cross from James Bree; the Saints take the lead against the Magpies at St Mary's.

26th min: Southampton 1-1 Newcastle (Alexander Isak, penalty)

Newcastle level the score from the penalty spot, as Isak converts his effort; extremely calm from the in-form striker, who sends the goalkeeper the wrong way, and Howe's side are on terms here.

30th min: Southampton 1-2 Newcastle (Alexander Isak)

Newcastle take the lead at St Mary's, and it is Isak once again, with the striker collecting a pass from Jacob Murphy before rolling the ball into the bottom corner off the inside of the post - that is a finish of the very highest standard.

51st min: Southampton 1-3 Newcastle (Sandro Tonali)

Newcastle score their third of the match, and put themselves in a very strong position when it comes to winning the match, as Tonali races onto a clever pass from Anthony Gordon before finishing into the back of the net.

84th min: Southampton 1-3 Newcastle (Mateus Fernandes disallowed goal)

Now then! Southampton think they have a second in the 84th minute through Fernandes, who expertly finishes past the goalkeeper after lacklustre defending from Newcastle, but it is disallowed for offside following a VAR check.

MAN OF THE MATCH - ALEXANDER ISAK

Isak is a goal machine, but his general play is also terrific, with Newcastle playing off the Swede, who has an incredible touch and a wonderful appreciation of the spaces that his teammates pick up.

The forward netted a brace at St Mary's, but his overall play was brilliant, with Southampton simply unable to deal with him, and the only disappointment was that he was unable to make it a hat trick on Saturday afternoon.

SOUTHAMPTON VS. NEWCASTLE MATCH STATS

Possession: Southampton 52%-48% Newcastle

Shots: Southampton 12-17 Newcastle

Shots on target: Southampton 5-9 Newcastle

Corners: Southampton 3-8 Newcastle

Fouls: Southampton 10-5 Newcastle

BEST STATS

WHAT NEXT?

Newcastle will be bidding to make it successive wins in the Premier League when they welcome Fulham to St James' Park next Saturday, before hosting Arsenal for the second leg of their EFL Cup semi-final four days later.

Southampton, meanwhile, will continue their battle against the drop away to Ipswich Town next Saturday, and that contest is a must-win fixture for the Saints, even at this stage of the campaign.

Written by

Matt Law