Ayoze Perez has scored in consecutive Premier League appearances for the first time since April 2018
Newcastle United moved 10 points clear of the relegation zone and up into 12th place in the Premier League after an entertaining win over Southampton thanks to Ayoze Perez's first hat-trick for the Magpies.
Rafael Benitez's side have been in fine form at home recently and striker Perez's quickfire first-half double put them in charge at the break.
However, Southampton have also been playing well and they were transformed after half-time, substitute Mario Lemina coolly slotting home shortly after coming on to halve the Magpies' lead. Maya Yoshida should then have levelled the scores but somehow volleyed over from six yards.
After Ki Sung-yueng hit the post and Angus Gunn pulled off an outstanding save from Isaac Hayden, Perez finally wrapped up the points for Benitez's side when he headed home from close range with five minutes left.
This victory leaves Newcastle almost certainly safe but Southampton remain five points above the drop zone with four games left to play.
Battle to stay upDateCardiff fixturesBrighton fixturesSouthampton fixtures21 AprilLiverpool (H)23 AprilTottenham (A)Watford (A)27 AprilFulham (A)Newcastle (H)Bournemouth (H)4 MayCrystal Palace (H)West Ham (A)5 MayArsenal (A)12 MayMan Utd (A)Man City (H)Huddersfield (H)Clinical Perez on fire for Newcastle
Ayoze Perez had scored four in his last seven homes games as well as the winner at Leicester last weekend and he continued his fine run of form with a superbly taken hat-trick.
His first was a perfectly placed clipped shot, kissing the inside of the far post after Isaac Hayden had won the ball back in midfield.
He followed that up two minutes later as his determination to meet Salomon Rondon's low cross ahead of Ryan Bertrand bought him and his team a second goal.
After Newcastle had toiled in the second half, he completed his hat-trick with just four minutes left, poaching a close range header after Matt Ritchie had bravely dived in to win a rushed Southampton clearance.
Perez has now got 10 Premier League goals this season, the first Newcastle player to do so since Georginio Wijnaldum in 2015-16.
Perez's burgeoning confidence crowned a strong performance from Newcastle who, after a 10th place finish last season, are chasing down the top half of the table once again.
Manager Rafael Benitez has done a remarkable job on limited resources but, with his contract running out in the summer and his expressed desire this week to manage in the Champions League again, Newcastle fans must be worried that he will leave at the end of the season.
It is surely imperative that they keep hold of him and back him significantly if this club is going to return to where it feel it belongs, challenging at the higher end of the table.
Saints fail to take their chances
Southampton had won four of their previous six games in the Premier League but it took time for them to warm up in the Easter sunshine at St James' Park.
In a disappointing first-half performance, they were barely involved as Newcastle's full-pitch pressing game squeezed the life out of Ralph Hassenhuttl's side.
Indeed, it could have been worse for the Saints, had referee Anthony Taylor not showed leniency when last-man James Ward-Prowse cynically took out Miguel Almiron.
Tactical changes at half-time however gave them a boost and substitute Mario Lemina took his opening superbly, slotting home after fellow sub Stuart Armstrong's lay-off.
Maya Yoshida ought to have levelled matters but he somehow volleyed over with the goal at his mercy midway through the second half. The Japanese defender should also have scored in injury time but his header was brilliantly turned aside by Martin Dubravka.
Maya Yoshida has not scored since December 2017 and missed some great chances for Southampton
Despite the improvement, it's a reality check for Hassenhuttl's team who are not mathematically safe and may require points from their remaining four games to ensure Premier League football next season.
More to follow.
