Newcastle United came from behind to win a seventh Premier League game in eight with a 3-1 win at Southampton on Saturday.
Jan Bednarek headed bottom-of-the-table Southampton into a surprise lead before Alexander Isak’ struck twice in four first-half minutes and Sandro Tonali made it 3-1 early in the second half. The result sees The Magpies climb above Chelsea and back into the top five of the Premier League table heading into February.
Newcastle welcomed goalkeeper Nick Pope back on the bench after seven weeks out with a knee injury. Unlike Pope’s return from injury last season, there was far less pressure on Eddie Howe to quickly reintroduce him to the starting line-up.
Martin Dubravka and Newcastle’s form in Pope’s absence has seen a player who was sorely missed at times last season to a player who is currently second-choice until further notice. But with 10 wins in 11 games with Dubravka in the side, it’s hard to argue.
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The only change Howe made to his starting line-up from the defeat against Bournemouth saw Fabian Schar come into the side for his first league start of 2025 with Sven Botman dropping to the bench for the first time since returning from a lengthy ACL injury.
Nick Pope at SouthamptonNick Pope at Southampton
Nick Pope at Southampton | Getty Images
Newcastle United: Comeback kings
For the fourth time in five matches in 2025, Newcastle went behind inside the opening 10 minutes of the game. Despite an encouraging opening few minutes, The Magpies allowed Southampton to score with their first opportunity of the game as a virtually unmarked Bednarek nodded the hosts into the lead from James Bree’s cross.
But Newcastle weren’t deterred by their early deficit once again as Howe’s side quickly got themselves back in the game and turned it around as they did against Bromley and Tottenham Hotspur previously.
“We don’t want [going behind early] to become a habit,” Howe told The Gazette. “I think it was uncharacteristic of us today because we started the game really well.
“We looked like we were comfortable in the game, didn’t organise ourselves well from a free kick and then go and score. And that was a key moment of the game. As I said, our response had to be really strong and it was, thankfully. But yes, certainly a habit that we need to eradicate quickly.”
Eddie Howe, Manager of Newcastle United, applauds the fans at full-time following the team’s victory in the Premier League match between Southampton FC and Newcastle United FC at St Mary’s Stadium on January 25, 2025 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Eddie Keogh/Getty Images)Eddie Howe, Manager of Newcastle United, applauds the fans at full-time following the team’s victory in the Premier League match between Southampton FC and Newcastle United FC at St Mary’s Stadium on January 25, 2025 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Eddie Keogh/Getty Images)
Eddie Howe, Manager of Newcastle United, applauds the fans at full-time following the team’s victory in the Premier League match between Southampton FC and Newcastle United FC at St Mary’s Stadium on January 25, 2025 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Eddie Keogh/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Another comeback victory saw Newcastle move top of the Premier League table for points gained from losing positions so far this season with 15 – at least until Manchester City came from behind to beat Chelsea a couple of hours later!
All four of Newcastle’s wins from losing positions in the league this season have also been away from home. After the club’s away form was heavily scrutinised last season, Howe’s side are now among the best in the division on the road this campaign having picked up 21 of their 41 points on the road.
VAR makes an impact as Southampton complain
Newcastle had a helping hand from VAR to get them back in the game and then deny them a nervous end to the game.
Midway through the first half and with Southampton leading 1-0, Isak went down inside the penalty area under Joe Aribo’s challenge. Referee Sam Barrott initially awarded a corner before a VAR check prompted an overturn to award Newcastle a penalty.
Isak stepped up having missed his last three penalties for club and country but made no mistake this time, sending Alex McCarthy the wrong way. The Swede then controlled Jacob Murphy’s through ball brilliantly moments later to slot The Magpies into a 2-1 lead.
If it wasn’t for a strong leg from McCarthy, Isak could have netted a 10-minute hat-trick at St Mary’s.
