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Alexander Isak scored twice as the visitors beat Southampton

hockey25 January 2025 18:30| © Reuters
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NewcastleUnited striker Alexander Isak scored twice as the visitors beat Southampton 3-1 on Saturday to climb into fourth position in the Premier League as they continue to chase a Champions League spot in a tight battle.

Southampton captain Jan Bednarek had put his side ahead in the 10th minute at St Mary's with a powerful header from just outside the six-yard box from James Bree's cross.

Isak equalised with a penalty in the 26th after a tangle of legs led to a lengthy VAR check and scored again four minutes later with a curling finish off the post before Sandro Tonali made it three after going clean through soon after the break.

Southampton's Mateus Fernandes thought he had scored in the 84th minute but his effort was disallowed by VAR.

Isak doubles up as Newcastle beat Southampton

Newcastle returned to winning ways after a nine-game run of victories in all competitions ended against Bournemouth a week ago.

The match marked a record sixth consecutive home league defeat for Southampton and left them adrift at the bottom of the table on six points, 10 points off the safety zone.

Saints had slightly more possession, however, and showed attacking intent throughout the match.

Newcastle goalkeeper Martin Dubravka was forced to make an instinctive save from close range to keep out Taylor Harwood-Bellis's effort in the opening moments of the second half.

The visitors' counter-attacking flair ultimately won them the game though as they frequently found space behind Southampton’s leaky defence.

With Newcastle having equalised through Isak's penalty, Jacob Murphy skipped past the Saints midfield before a pinpoint pass found the Sweden striker who stylishly scored again.

After 51 minutes Anthony Gordon unleashed Tonali one-on-one with keeper Alex McCarthy before the Italian emphatically slotted the ball into the bottom left corner to make it 3-1.

The win took Newcastle into fourth place above Chelsea and Manchester City, who were playing in Saturday's late game.

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