Callum Wilson is firing Newcastle into fantasy land.
Five goals in his last three games - and up to 15 for the season - the England star came off the bench to help rescue his side after a lethargic first half. Wilson doesn’t want to be a super-sub, rather to start with Alexander Isak in the front three. And that was the reshuffle from boss Eddie Howe that changed the game at half time.
Newcastle were awful in the first half with no grip on midfield and facing defeat after Stuart Armstrong’s opener. Then the Wilson and Isak show was rekindled after their demolition of Everon in midweek. Sweden international Isak moved out left to torment the fullback. Wilson led the line.
And it yielded three goals and a torturous second half for Southampton who were torn apart. Howe’s men have now racked up eight wins in the last nine games - and smashed the opposition for 13 goals in the last three games. Remarkable stuff.
January signing Anthony Gordon was given a rare start, got into dangerous positions but didn’t exploit them. The former Everton man was hooked at the break for Wilson and he combined with Isak for the levelled. Isak injected some pace down the left and crossed low.
The England striker opened up his body and flicked into the top corner, another supreme finish. Howe suspects both Wilson and Isak can’t start a game together in his usual tactical plan. Both want to lead the line, but Isak also looks deadly dribbling down the wing.
Wilson netted again, but VAR ruled he was offside. He was but could the Stickley Park officials be sure Miguel Almiron had touched the ball? The young Saints were struggling to plug all the gaps, as Joe Willock marauded forward too.
Newcastle’s second came from a Kieran Tripper corner headed by Sven Botman on to Theo Walcott for an unfortunate own goal. Wilson got his second in the 81st minute when Nick Pope pumped forward, the Saints defence failed to head and Willock chased into the box. Wilson bustled in to take charge rounding Alex McCarthy.
He only missed a hat-trick thanks to the cross bar - but was consoled by St James’ Park’s rendition of his “Oooh Callum Wilson ” song. After scoring ten in their previous two games Newcastle were flat and one down at half time. Romeo Lavia robbed Bruno Guimaraes on the half way line and sent Carlos Alcarez free.
He tucked Kamaldeen Sulemana clear down the right, with the Toon defence scrambling back. He times his cross to pick out the recalled Stuart Armstrong nipped in front of Kieran Trippier and forced home from close range. It was a fine breakaway goal.
Ruben Selles’ side were committed and organised, and ready to exploit a weariness about Howe’s side. That was until Newcastle’s super sub stepped up. The Toon now have Champions League football well in their grasp. Next up is Arsenal, and a chance to make another statement.
This was a lesson in how next season, with midweek European games, could pan out. Howe needs a squad, with fresh legs to introduce, to shake up the side when they run out of steam. Southampton look doomed, despite their impressive first half.
Howe said: “We want to win every game. Next one will be a great occasion for us. That is my only focus. I felt the second half would be different attacking the Gallowgate. We changed things tactically.”
