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Aaron Stokes

Scary Newcastle United realisation as Eddie Howe's ruthless side claim another victim

Tissues at the ready? Because it is certainly nosebleed territory for Newcastle United in the dizzy heights of third in the Premier League table. Sunday's win on the south coast sent the Magpies above Tottenham before the evening kick-off in the north London.

While the scoreline was emphatic, in actual fact the performance itself, at times, wasn't all that dominant from the visitors. Newcastle initially struggled to break Southampton down before Miguel Almiron found the net shortly before the interval, while Callum Wilson 's half-time exit left the Magpies under the cosh at the start of the second period before Chris Wood and Joe Willock's quick-fire finishes killed the game as a contest.

There is just a small, nagging feeling this side can still find yet another level despite the amazing run of form of late. "I'm very pleased with the result, the performance wasn't our best but I'm not going to pick it to pieces," Howe said at full-time.

READ MORE: Southampton 1-4 Newcastle United: Magpies run riot on the South Coast with statement victory

However, whether they are at their brilliant, free-flowing best or not - Newcastle just keep finding a way to destroy their opponents. Each time a team below them in the Premier League tries to beat them, they get punished.

Four goals this weekend at St Mary's, a 5-1 win over Brentford, four goals put beyond Aston Villa and another four scored in the capital against Fulham. Not to mention the 3-3 draw with Premier League champions Manchester City.

The scary thought is these comfortable victories are coming without the help of Allan Saint-Maximin and £60m man Alexander Isak. The dangerous attacking duo have had to spend the vast majority of games this season watching from the sidelines.

The credit must go to Eddie Howe for unlocking the potential in Almiron and creating a system Wilson can flourish in. Seven goals in seven games for the former, who last season failed to find the net until April.

Willock continues to provide a threat in attack. Even Wood looked like his former self as he swivelled and scored beyond Gavin Bazunu in the second-half.

Much will be made of what comes next for this Newcastle side. Talk of European qualifications grows with each passing week with the north east outfit almost certainly set to be in the top four for the World Cup break later this month.

With Saint-Maximin almost back to full fitness, Jonjo Shelvey itching to return to the starting line up and Isak expected to return for Newcastle's December fixtures, there is a feeling this team could improve even further in the second-half of the campaign.

Yet Newcastle simply look ruthless these days, even without key attacking personnel. If Howe can work out a way to fit his returning stars into this side, there really is no ceiling to what can be achieved in the coming months.

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