Newcastle United need Ayoze Perez to kick on from his display against Southampton.
Newcastle United made it just one defeat in the last six games on Sunday afternoon, after picking up a 2-2 draw away at Southampton.
The Magpies took the lead at St. Mary’s Stadium as Isaac Hayden smashed home a long range half volley for his first goal of the season, before Manolo Gabbiadini equalised after the break with a fine solo effort.
Ayoze Perez immediately hit back, following up with a smart finish from a tight angle after Fraser Forster had saved his initial effort, but Gabbiadini again hit back, scoring from the penalty spot after Florian Lejeune had fouled Shane Long.
Newcastle will be happy with a point on the road, but will also know they could have had three – and manager Rafael Benitez will now want forward Perez to really kick on after his first goal of the season.
Perez, 24, hit nine goals and six assists last season as Newcastle won promotion to the Championship, but had mostly frustrated Magpies fans this season with some lacklustre displays.
Now, Perez needs to take the confidence from scoring against Southampton to really kick on, and not only prove that Newcastle don’t need to sign a new No. 10 in January, but also prove just why he was so in demand in 2015.
Perez was quoted by Sky Sports in December 2015 as saying that Manchester United and Tottenham both wanted to sign him, but he has ended up staying with Newcastle – and most fans would say that he hasn’t quite lived up to that interest since.
Now, with his duck this season now broken, Perez must endeavour to become the player that United and Spurs wanted to sign, becoming a major asset for Newcastle and Benitez in the process.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
