Without playing, Newcastle United are out of the bottom three. And who do they have to thank? Former hero Ayoze Perez.
The Spaniard was instrumental for Leicester on Friday night, scoring a hat-trick as the Foxes battered a desperate Southampton side 9-0.
The Saints went down to 10 men early on, with VAR sending Ryan Bertrand for an early shower in the 12th minute after a high challenge on Perez. Getting a man sent off against Leicester is never a good idea, as we proved the other week in our 5-0 defeat.
Seven minutes later, Perez netted his first goal for his new club.
Like London buses, more goals followed for Perez, who also got his first hat-trick for his new club. That means he’s scored six goals in his last two games against Southampton, having taken home the match ball after a 3-0 win at St James’ Park last season.
Southampton’s goal difference has taken a battering, now on -16, dropping them down to 18th and lifting Steve Bruce’s side up to the dizzy heights of 17th.
Perez may no longer be a Magpie after his £30 million move this summer, but it’s nice to see he’s still helping us out.
With his three goals last night, he’s now nearly scored as many as the entire Newcastle United team put together this season…
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