Newcastle United have moved into third spot in the Premier League table courtesy of a 4-1 win over Southampton at St Mary's.

The Magpies have now been victorious in each of their last four league games, and the success has further fuelled suggestions that the team are capable of making a challenge for the top four this term.

Southampton, meanwhile, sit in 18th position in the table, having picked up just 12 points from their opening 14 league games of the campaign.

A dangerous cross from Sean Longstaff caused problems in the Southampton box inside the first five minutes; Gavin Bazunu failed to claim, but Callum Wilson could not stretch to reach the ball.

Newcastle were having a lot of the ball, but Southampton were dangerous on the break, and Magpies goalkeeper Nick Pope had to get down to keep out a strike from Romain Perraud in the 10th minute.

Longstaff thought that he had missed a golden chance to send the away side ahead in the 24th minute when he failed to convert past Bazunu from close range, but the offside flag was raised shortly after.

Callum Wilson then fired wide of the target from a dangerous position after Newcastle had a penalty appeal turned down, with Miguel Almiron calling for a handball on Mohamed Salisu.

Eddie Howe's side took the lead in the 35th minute, though, with Almiron dancing his way into the Southampton box before finding the back of the net with a smart finish.

The home side had a huge chance to score just before the interval when Stuart Armstrong picked out Mohamed Elyounoussi at the far post, but the 28-year-old somehow missed the target.

Southampton were bright at the start of the second period, with James Ward-Prowse having one kept out by Pope before Che Adams just volleyed wide of the away side's post in the 56th minute.

Newcastle scored a second just before the hour, though, when Chris Wood turned inside the Southampton box before picking out the far corner with a clever finish.

The Magpies then had a third in the 62nd minute, with Willock racing onto a pass from Kieran Trippier before poking the ball into the far corner of the net.

Pope had to tip a Salisu header over the crossbar late on as Southampton threatened a consolation, and the home supporters did have something to cheer in the 89th minute when Perraud picked out the far corner with an excellent strike.

The scoring was not finished, though, and Newcastle had a fourth in stoppage time when Bruno Guimaraes fired one into the far corner from outside the box. body check tags ::