OPINION
Newcastle United all but secured their Premier League status for another season with a crucial 3-1 victory over fellow low-lights Southampton on Saturday.
A hat-trick from main man Ayoze Perez stole the headlines for the Magpies, but there were undoubtedly some areas of concern for manager Rafael Benitez.
Overall, though, the Spaniard will be delighted with the performance of his team, who bossed proceedings pretty much from start to finish.
As usual there is much to be gleaned from the game, and Nothing but Newcastle has rounded up three things that can be learned from Newcastle’s victory over Southampton.
Perez worth his weight in gold
For much of the first half of the season Perez seemed to be an anchor weighting the Newcastle attack down. However, since the turn of the year he has looked like a completely different player.
He has been absolutely sensational since club record signing Miguel Almiron arrived in January and must be considered one of the most in-form attackers in the Premier League.
It’s difficult, for all their dominance, to imagine the Magpies winning this game anywhere near as comfortably without Perez in the line up. He has become more clinical of late and Newcastle are reaping the rewards.
Dummett immense at the back
Paul Dummett is a player who doesn’t always get a lot of acclaim. He is an understated defender who does his job to the letter no matter what task he is asked to perform. Be it left wing back or centre half, it doesn’t matter to him.
Since Florian Lejeune went down with a season-ending injury against Crystal Palace recently, Dummett has stepped up to the plate and then some. That was very much true on Saturday, as well.
When the Saints were pushing for an equaliser before Perez’s third goal it was the 27-year-old who was key in keeping them out. He seemed to form a one-man wall that was impenetrable to anyone wearing yellow and blue. He was colossal.
Injuries a big worry for Rafa
This game wasn’t all plain sailing for the hosts. There were certainly some worrying moments, with the spate of suspected second half injuries chief amongst them.
Almiron went down inured around the hour mark to the consternation of everyone inside St James’ Park. The Saints had been targeting him for the majority of the game and it eventually took its toll as he went down clutching his hamstring.
To make matters worse, a few minutes later Fabian Schar was substituted off with a problem as well. Then Isaac Hayden went straight down the tunnel after being brought off. These potential setbacks are all hugely worrying for Benitez moving forward.
