Ayoze Perez's first hat-trick for Newcastle United saw Southampton leave Tyneside empty-handed on Saturday.
Perez scored his ninth and 10th goals of the season to put Newcastle 2-0 up after 31 minutes and then completed his hat-trick with a sharp header after Mario Lemina had stylishly pulled Southampton back into contention.
Victory took Newcastle onto 41 points and all but guaranteed their Premier League status for another season.
Related：
Newcastle United
Southampton
Tommylus
0
Almiron might not be scoring any goals, but he sure has helped turn this team around.
Totally agree,pace,makes all the difference
overthing
0
Super toon. Great atmosphere. My son says Perez is world class. I must say he is looking better than when I was moaning about him at the start of the season
He has a good mate there now, Almiron, so he is way happier
Armourer
0
Perez must be one of the best value for goals striker in the Premier League's history (inflation taken into account), £1m is an absolutely bargain.
Since Almiron arrived Perez has been class & I think because they have bonded a good friendship it has made a big difference
Footballfor
1
Perez has so much talent. Reminds me of Luis Suarez at his young age. Problem he's inconsistent and plays for a defensive team.
Oxford
0
love seeing the lads and lasses faces behind the goals when we score, great stuff! enjoy your night on the toon! nighshift for me.
domdomO
0
Class today from peraz Calais¿s atmosphere as well Rafa is the gafa toon toon
pluslove
0
Would be great for the league if Rafa stays but he needs more support from Ashley. Newcastle should be challenging for the top 4 not trying to survive relegation.
marddia
0
Best form of his career. Big up Perez
boxingei
0
Such a good game for Perez today. If only Rafa could get the resources he needs to really build the team. Newcastle is fortunate that he's stayed so far. I'm sure there are other teams that would take Rafa in a heartbeat.
unware
0
Perez was unplayable today, great stuff lad! Enjoy Barca next year.
Mattmarlon
0
Cracking performance. Perez brilliant but the way the defence stood up in the second half won us the game
makefile
0
Now just keep that momentum going into the Liverpool game, would love Benitez to cost them the title
Yvetteharris
0
Well done lads great game and great atmosphere,Toon Army.
twentieth
0
player of the month for me.he should be called for Spain national team
Sangder
0
Saints defence is an absolute shambles. Every week they gift goals to the opposition. A visit to the transfer market is well overdue if they want to improve.
bluesgay
0
Awesome Ayoze,howay the lads.
collection
0
Great result, it wouldn't take much to make Newcastle a consistent top 8 team, and challenging for Europe.
boycott
0
Almiron might not be scoring any goals, but he sure has helped turn this team around.
Crazyman
0
Simply the best and biggest football club in the NE great result lads.
Bennyta
0
Super toon. Great atmosphere. My son says Perez is world class. I must say he is looking better than when I was moaning about him at the start of the season
tension
1
Southampton went out to take Almiron out & succeeded. Also that should have been red, took the player out without looking at ball, Almiron and Rondon would have been through with no defenders to stop them. I hope Southampton go down because of their dirty tactics. The sly knee into the back of Almirons leg took him out.
Edmunder
0
Newcastle are in the fortuitous position of having one of the greatest managers ever to have plied his trade in the PL. Benitez truly has crafted something approaching a silk purse out of a pig's ear.
Andredu
0
Newcastle are going to beat the scousers.
Billboards
0
Best performance ive seen from Newcastle today. Shame Almiron was injured but Perez for £1m is value
Dealwis
0
What he lacks in pace and power he more than makes up for with technical ability and skill
Messifcblove
0
Rafa is a terrific manager. If he had some backing, Newcastle could've well been competing with Wolves & Watford for 7th
Derrick552
0
Well done Rafa and newcastle,happy to see this sleeping giant and good footballing side stay in the premier league.
Halloween
0
Perez must be one of the best value for goals striker in the Premier League's history (inflation taken into account), £1m is an absolutely bargain.
redopp
2
congrats lad