Laurent Robert has responded on Instagram after Newcastle United picked up a sixth win in seven games, edging Southampton aside to win 2-1. New signings Bruno Guimaraes and Chris Wood got the goals for Newcastle.
Coming into the match after eight games unbeaten, of which Eddie Howe has guided Newcastle to 18 points from a possible 24 – they faced a tricky trip down south to face an in-form Southampton under Ralph Hasenhuttl.
But the hangover of a 4-0 loss to Aston Villa proved decisive, despite Southampton taking the lead through Stuart Armstrong. In a game that could have gone either way, the difference was Newcastle’s new additions.
An improved Jonjo Shelvey curled a perfect ball into Chris Wood, who duly obliged to score his first since joining from Burnley. Dan Burn’s header found Bruno Guimaraes, who delightfully backheeled home on the volley.
Another brilliant win for Newcastle. Confidence is high, the atmosphere is excellent among the players and fans and Howe is producing miracles after a tricky start. Laurent Robert, a Toon icon, reacted with one word.
Robert on Newcastle: Where can the Toon finish after Southampton win?
Newcastle sit in a more respectable 14th after looking as though relegation was a real possibility. The win over Southampton opens up a four-point buffer between themselves and the bottom six, with a game in hand.
Incredibly, they are just five points behind ninth-placed Aston Villa – who themselves are on a superb run in which they have beaten Brighton, Southampton and Leeds without conceding – scoring nine goals.
The way they are playing, Newcastle could easily push for the top 10. But, it has to be said, that their run of fixtures has been kind. On Sunday, that run comes to an end as they take on Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
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