Southampton 1-3 Newcastle: Alexander Isak’s brace helps Magpies seal come-from-behind win as they close the gap on the top three

Much like Newcastle’s flight to Southampton amid the northern gusts of Storm Eowyn, a bumpy start here made way for serene passage. Alexander Isak does not know turbulence when in front of goal.

The Swede scored another two to make it 14 goals in his last 12 games. When he blows into town, there is no defence against the damage that ensues. His second goal was so clinical, he should have worn a white coat. Before that, he had won and converted a penalty.

That double put Newcastle in front entering half-time, reversing an early headed goal by Saints skipper Jan Bednarek. That was a blip on the visitors’ flight path to a deserved three points.

Sandro Tonali, the gladiatorial midfielder, made sure of that with a cool third early in the second half. If Isak is this team’s missile, then Tonali is the jet engine. Not that Southampton offered much resistance.

Beaten and beaten up by Bournemouth during a 4-1 home defeat last weekend, a visit to the Premier League’s bottom club was the perfect remedy for Eddie Howe and his players.

They had feared being made to travel on the morning of the game after 70mph winds battered the North-East on Friday. As it was, their chartered flight left on time on Friday afternoon. Those on board said that take-off was a bit rattly but, once up, all was fine. You could apply the same to this game.

Eddie Howe’s side earned their fifth straight win away from home and closed in on the top three

They now trail Nottingham Forest by three points after they were thrashed 5-0 by Bournemouth

Bednarek’s unmarked header on 10 minutes was a poor goal to concede, but the recovery was swift. Bruno Guimaraes slipped Isak in on goal and, when Joe Aribo made a clumsy challenge that did not take the ball, you assumed Sam Barrott would whistle for a penalty. Instead, he pointed for a corner. The referee was soon re-routed to his pitchside monitor and, four minutes later, Isak rolled into the bottom corner, non-plussed by the nonsensical delay.

Four minutes later, right on the half hour, he had another. Jacob Murphy fizzed a pass into Isak’s feet and his first touch was worth a thousand of most mere mortals. It took him clear of Southampton’s defence and the finish was just as ruthless. 

Tonali then applied a merciless finish of his own when charging in behind to collect Anthony Gordon’s cushioned pass and the Italian swept past Alex McCarthy.

There was a late scare for Newcastle when Mateus Fernandes had a goal ruled out for offside, but that was another minor bump on an otherwise smooth return to winning ways.