Eddie Howe, the Newcastle United manager, experienced a significantly more satisfying family film night this week after his team’s convincing 4-1 victory against Southampton, a stark contrast to the previous week’s disappointing home defeat to Bournemouth. This dominant performance at St. Mary’s Stadium propelled Newcastle back into the coveted top four of the Premier League. Alexander Isak, the Swedish striker, took center stage with a brace, winning and converting a penalty before adding a second with a composed finish. Sandro Tonali, celebrating his return from a gambling suspension, also marked the occasion with his first Premier League goals, rounding off a comprehensive win for the Magpies.
The match began with an early setback for Newcastle, mirroring the slow start that plagued them against Bournemouth. Just ten minutes into the game, Kyle Walker-Peters dispossessed Dan Burn, leading to a cross from James Bree that found Jan Bednarek unmarked in the box. Bednarek headed home, giving Southampton a surprising early lead. Despite fleeting moments of attacking threat from Southampton, including an effort from Adam Armstrong, Newcastle’s response was swift and decisive. A defensive error from Joe Aribo, initially missed by the referee but later confirmed by VAR, resulted in a penalty for Newcastle. Isak calmly converted, restoring parity and continuing his impressive scoring streak away from home.
Isak’s resurgence didn’t end there. Minutes later, he came close to doubling his tally with a powerful strike that was palmed away by Alex McCarthy. However, his persistence paid off shortly after. Jacob Murphy, exhibiting excellent vision and precision, delivered a perfectly weighted through ball to Isak, who expertly controlled the pass and slotted the ball past McCarthy to give Newcastle the lead. Isak’s recent goalscoring form has undoubtedly solidified his position as a key asset for Newcastle, and his performances will be crucial in their pursuit of Champions League qualification.
Southampton, despite showing glimpses of promise in recent matches, ultimately lacked the quality to sustain a challenge against a superior Newcastle side. While Alex McCarthy made several saves to deny Newcastle further goals, including a superb stop from Jacob Murphy’s strike, the gulf in class was evident. Early in the second half, Newcastle exploited Southampton’s defensive vulnerabilities, with Sandro Tonali capitalizing on a gaping hole in the Saints’ backline to score his first goal for the club. This goal effectively sealed the victory for Newcastle and further demoralized the home side.
Southampton’s attempts to mount a comeback were largely ineffective. While they created a few opportunities, notably through Taylor Harwood-Bellis, whose acrobatic effort was tipped over the bar by Martin Dubravka, they lacked the cutting edge to seriously threaten Newcastle’s defense. Dubravka also comfortably held onto a header from Harwood-Bellis from the resulting corner. Despite these sporadic moments of pressure, Southampton’s overall performance highlighted the deficiencies within their squad and underscored their struggles in the Premier League.
Newcastle’s dominant display was punctuated by several missed opportunities to further extend their lead. McCarthy’s save from Murphy, tipping the ball onto the post, and Joelinton’s blocked shot by Bednarek on the line prevented a more emphatic scoreline. While Matheus Fernandes did manage to find the back of the net for Southampton late in the game, his effort was ruled out for offside, sparing the home side further embarrassment. The final whistle confirmed a deserved victory for Newcastle, a result that reinforced their top-four ambitions and provided a much-needed boost in confidence after the previous week’s setback. For Eddie Howe, the win provided a more palatable viewing experience for his family film night, a stark contrast to the previous week’s disappointment.
