Southampton 1-3 Newcastle - Match Report: There's levels and... levels

01/26/2025 05:00 AM

Isak put Soton to the sword twice and started to confirm the Saints' Championship fears.

Newcastle United returned to winning ways with a 3–1 comeback victory over bottom-dwellers Southampton at St Mary's, powered by a first-half brace from an unstoppable Alexander Isak and a final goal from an exquisite Sandro Tonali.

The win sees Eddie Howe's side climb back into the Premier League's top five, but more than anything it allowed the Magpies to showcase their resilience after a humbling 4–1 defeat to Bournemouth last weekend that put them in a tough position regarding their mentality entering a game against an awful team but carrying the burden of losing for the first time in 10 games just a few days ago.

When Southampton took an early lead in the 10th minute thanks to a header by Jan Bednarek following a corner you could cut the tension with the softest of knives—such it was, as we all thought the lads were going to inevitably crumble once more following last week's loss.

How wrong!

Newcastle was sluggish to start, yes. They struggled to find any rhythm, yes. They looked nothing but cooked by the worst team the Premier League has hosted this season, yes, yes, yes. But.

There's always a but.

And of course, when it comes to the Geordie bunch, that but comes with a name that has started to be recognized the world over: Aleksander Isak.

The Sweden international was clinical once more and his ridiculous form turned the game around as soon as he was allowed to have a chance at doing so.

Isak equalized in the 26th minute from the penalty spot after Joe Aribo's challenge on him inside the box was reviewed by VAR. Four minutes later, Isak struck again, receiving a perfectly through ball from Jacob Murphy, controlling it in a rather impossible way, and curling a precise shot past Alex McCarthy.

The second half saw Newcastle dominate possession and continue to create chances until Sandro Tonali added the third in the 55th minute after a good team move. Isak's chest pass to Anthony Gordon set up Tonali, who slotted past McCarthy to seal a much-needed victory, if not for the repercussion on the standings, for the potential impact on the lads' mindset and mentality.

Murphy, who provided the assist for Isak's second, nearly added to the scoreline himself, hitting the post midway through the second half. Southampton thought they had reduced the deficit late on to make the game a bit intriguing, but Matheus Fernandes's goal was disallowed for a handball in the build-up and VAR wouldn't allow it.

Isak's stupid form this season continued, taking his tally to 19 goals in 25 matches across all competitions, including 14 in his last 12 games.

The win solidified Newcastle's Champions League push and highlighted their ability to bounce back from setbacks.

Up next is a home clash with Fulham on Feb. 1, a game Miguel Almiron might not be on the matchday squad anymore judging by the goodbye he waved to the Magpie crowd attending the game at the Saints place.

Have a good one back in Atlanta, Miggy!