Newcastle United are on course to wrap up a Champions League place early after coming from behind to beat doomed Southampton at St James' Park.
With passports on Tyneside being dusted down, the European anthems were belted out around the stadium with fans chanting: "Tell me ma, I won't be home for tea I'm going to Italy" and "Have you ever seen a Mackem in Milan". Although, this had not been straight-forward for Eddie Howe's Europe-bound Magpies after they struggled in the first half.
Newcastle had stormed into a 3-0 lead after nine minutes in their previous home game against Tottenham Hotspur but there was a more cautious opening at St James' Park as the Saints went into the contest fighting for their lives. With Anthony Gordon handed a start, the Scouser made a bright opening and was played in twice in the first 18 minutes.
READ MORE: Newcastle close in on biggest-ever sponsorship deal and Barcelona set Raphinha price
With seven minutes on the clock, Jacob Murphy released him through the middle but the former Everton man hit the ball into the side netting. Four minutes later Gordon crossed into the box with the ball eventually falling for Bruno Guimaraes but he put it wide.
On 18 minutes, he was slipped in by Alexander Isak but the £45million forward scraped the post and handed Southampton a let off. Two minutes later Joelinton headed wide after a cross for Kieran Trippier at the Leazes End.
The Saints responded with 25 minutes played when Lynaco had a sight of goal but blazed it high and wide. Gordon and Murphy switched flanks with eight first half minutes remaining.
It resulted in Murphy getting a glimpse of goal on 40 minutes as he cut on to his right foot but his attempt at goal after Bruno's pass was high over the top. The Saints snatched a shock lead at St James' just before half-time.
Romeo Lavia pinched the ball off Bruno in midfield with Carlos Alcaraz bursting forward on the break. The ball was played wide to the right for Moussa Djenepo who managed to square the ball for Stuart Armstrong who applied the finish with his knee.
Fourth official Stuart Attwell displayed four minutes of stoppage time but Newcastle were behind at the break against the rock-bottom South Coast side. Howe changed things at the break with Callum Wilson sent on to replace Gordon.
Bruno won a free-kick four minutes into the second half to hand United the chance to level. Newcastle tried a training ground routine with Trippier eventually crossing for Dan Burn but he failed to connect. However, United did equalise 10 minutes into the second half.
The goal came when Isak was the provider down the left with Wilson arriving in the box and finishing in perfect fashion as he flicked it beyond Alex McCarthy. This was another sign of Howe reacting to first half problems with the change giving Newcastle some much-needed clinical edge in the final third.
Referee Anthony Taylor twice flashed his yellow card in the aftermath of the equaliser with both the Southampton boss Ruben Selles and full-back Kyle Walker-Peters. On 63 minutes the visitors introduced Theo Walcott to replace Djenepo.
A bustling run then shot by Joelinton earned a corner on 65 minutes with Trippier curling into the danger zone but despite Joe Willock eventually firing in a low shot it was gathered by McCarthy.
Willock crossed for Wilson on 68 minutes but McCarthy clawed the ball over the bar as United kept up the pressure. Howe then turned to playmaker Miguel Almiron for the final quarter of the game replacing Murphy.
Southampton brought on ex-Newcastle striker Adam Armstrong with 20 minutes left along with Maitland-Niles and Elyounoussi also coming on. Stuart Armstrong, Sulemana and Lyanco all went off.
Newcastle thought they'd gone in front with 14 minutes left through Wilson again at the Gallowgate End. Isak's cross flicked off Almiron before Wilson swept home but after a lengthy VAR check - which lasted almost three minutes - it was ruled out.
That left United with 15 minutes to win the game and they went about their task perfectly as they put Southampton to the sword. Trippier crossed in with Sven Botman turning it at goal before sub Walcott turned it past his own keeper to put United back in front with 11 minutes left to take us to 2-1.
Two minutes later, the game felt safe and secure for Newcastle as a ball over the top caught Southampton napping. Willock chased the ball down with the Saints unable to clear their lines before Wilson dummied the keeper and slotted it into the net for 3-1.
Bruno slammed a shot wide with five minutes remaining but Newcastle closing in on another three points. Willock skipped through and shot at goal but his effort was blocked.
Howe was able to make a couple of late changes to give Elliot Anderson and Matt Ritchie some minutes with Isak and Willock going off to a standing ovation. Wilson was denied his hat-trick in stoppage time as his shot clipped the bar with Southampton wobbling badly.
Wilson's effort spun so wildly the first time it eventually dropped back on to the crossbar a second time as he was left cursing his luck. Howe tried to introduce Paul Dummett for his first Premier League appearance of the season but Taylor's whistle denied him an appearance fee.
And that was it, Newcastle fans were left to reflect on an important win with Wilson's second half brace keeping the black and whites on track for Champions League football. There's still work to be done but Newcastle could do it with two matches to spare.
Referee: Anthony Taylor
READ NEXT
- Newcastle training ground feature will give club major facelift
- Eddie Howe assesses 'smart decisions' to be made in Newcastle United's summer transfer strategy
- Kieran Trippier's dressing room insight to Newcastle Champions League strategy
- Matt Targett lifts lid on 'killer' moment which cost him 2017 Newcastle move
- Newcastle notes as Bobby Robson feat surpassed and Magpies reply to fireworks
