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John Gibson

Eddie Howe has provided Newcastle United with a mentality they once lacked

Dearie, dearie me. Stay still my beating heart! Newcastle United are marching to a relentless drum beat and doing it better and better by the day.

Just consider what we have just witnessed. Chris Wood and Bruno Guimaraes both scored their first goals for United when a grumpy Southampton manager believed they ought not have been allowed to play but who cares apart from him!

Neither was a scruffy goal either but a top drawer effort. Wood's was his trademark signature, a powerful header after seven barren games had built tension and doubt. It came from an equally excellent Jonjo Shelvey cross.

Then we were delivered the piece de resistance....a worldie from our new Brazilian whose backheel flick was so outrageous it ought to have carried a health warning. This side simply does not know how to lose when once that was all they knew.

READ MORE: Bruno Guimaraes haunts Ralph Hasenhuttl as top summer target wows Newcastle owners - 5 things

They defended magnificently, they closed down relentlessly, they showed desire beyond the call of duty and how the 3,000 fans who had endured an unbelievable trip to the other end of the country roared their appreciation from first kick to last.

To think that Steve Bruce considered himself badly done to up here. This has been an escape from prison for Geordies and long may it last. United are unbeaten in nine games and have taken 10 points out of the last 12 away from home. Say it slowly and drink it in.

This latest dismantling came against a Southampton side which was undefeated in their last 10 PL home games, their longest run of success since 2005.

Just to make it a night of undiluted joy the Premier League's bottom two clubs Norwich and Watford were both hammered leaking like a colander while Leeds were equally put to the buck at home, new manager or not. Norwich and Leeds conceded three, Watford four.

Eddie Howe, as loyal as man's best friend, had said he didn't care that Wood had failed to score since his £25m transfer. Well, I bet he is ruddy grateful Chris has now if he is not totally relieved!

Anybody playing centre-forward, but especially up here where legends are made of No.9s, needs to contribute in the goals column and thankfully Wood has at long last.

Bruno made his long awaited debut because star performer Joelinton had an injury which had been kept secret and, boy, did he mark it in spectacular fashion. No matter, come back Big Joe and join your Brazilian mate.

This unbelievable Newcastle run has to come to an end some time - it's called the law of averages - but when? Let no one presume automatically that it will be at Chelsea on Sunday because this spirit and togetherness is beyond belief. If you could bottle it you would become an instant millionaire.

United have been entering London's drama domes of late. Kurt Zouma and his cat kicking at West Ham followed by Christian Eriksen's emotional return to football at Brentford were both attention catchers of very differing kinds but what is about to be faced is something truly explosive and unprecedented.

The government freezing of Roman Abramovich's assets in the last 24 hours will have a shuddering effect on Chelsea whose first home match under rigid restrictions is against Newcastle, of course.

Having been forced to travel all the way to the south coast on a Thursday night - a huge inconvenience - United's loyal and much needed away support has thankfully avoided further complications. Tickets purchased before the sanctions were imposed are valid which includes United's quota.

Confusion and chaos may reign for Chelsea's beleaguered fan base but what now matters most from a Geordie point of view is the result. The Mags emerged unbloodied from their last two capital visits amid heightened interest. May it happen once again come Sunday however trying the circumstances.

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