Newcastle United forward Ayoze Perez has backed his side to continue their good run of form after beating Southampton 3-0 at home on Saturday.

Kenedy netted twice for the Magpies, his first coming after only 63 seconds, and Matt Ritchie added a third to seal a win that leaves them five points clear of the relegation zone in 13th place.

Perez has found the net three times so far in 2018, and played on Saturday despite the passing of his grandmother.

"Everything went well," he told The Chronicle. "It was a massive win for us and three important points.

"I'm happy to help others. That's the role of a forward, sometimes you will score, others you will contribute in other ways.

"That is what the manager wants from me. He wants me to be a link between the lines to try to help the wingers and to help Dwight Gayle]. That's what I am trying to do. He's been here a while now and we are always working. It was a great win for me and everybody else was happy."

Newcastle next face 15th-placed Huddersfield Town at St James' Park on March 31.