Newcastle United player ratings: Ayoze Perez 'sublime' as THREE players earn 8s in Southampton triumph

Newcastle United continued their fine form of late with a victory over Southampton - but how did their players perform?
How Newcastle United's players rated against SouthamptonHow Newcastle United's players rated against Southampton
How Newcastle United's players rated against Southampton

A hat-trick from Ayoze Perez proved enough for the Magpies, despite Mario Lemina's fine strike after the interval. And it's no surprise to see Perez rate highly in our player ratings, while several other members of Rafa Benitez's squad come in for high praise. Scroll down to see who shone - and struggled - for Newcastle in their victory over Southampton:

One very good save after a corner took a wicked deflection in the first half. Little he could do about Lemina's strike, but dealt well with everything else thrown at him. 6One very good save after a corner took a wicked deflection in the first half. Little he could do about Lemina's strike, but dealt well with everything else thrown at him. 6
One very good save after a corner took a wicked deflection in the first half. Little he could do about Lemina's strike, but dealt well with everything else thrown at him. 6
Blocked a near-certain goal from Sims as the game approached half-time. Coped well with what was thrown at him in a somewhat unfamiliar central role. 6Blocked a near-certain goal from Sims as the game approached half-time. Coped well with what was thrown at him in a somewhat unfamiliar central role. 6
Blocked a near-certain goal from Sims as the game approached half-time. Coped well with what was thrown at him in a somewhat unfamiliar central role. 6
Another composed display in the centre of defence. Made a number of key interceptions as Southampton pushed forward. 6Another composed display in the centre of defence. Made a number of key interceptions as Southampton pushed forward. 6
Another composed display in the centre of defence. Made a number of key interceptions as Southampton pushed forward. 6
Marshalled Ings well throughout and cajoled his side through a tricky period as Southampton applied pressure. 6Marshalled Ings well throughout and cajoled his side through a tricky period as Southampton applied pressure. 6
Marshalled Ings well throughout and cajoled his side through a tricky period as Southampton applied pressure. 6
Made a heroic block when the game was still goalless and played the killer pass to Rondon for the second and a key role in the third. Another performance full of energy and desire. 8Made a heroic block when the game was still goalless and played the killer pass to Rondon for the second and a key role in the third. Another performance full of energy and desire. 8
Made a heroic block when the game was still goalless and played the killer pass to Rondon for the second and a key role in the third. Another performance full of energy and desire. 8
Kept the usually effective Nathan Redmond under wraps for the most part. Slowly establishing himself as a key player. 7Kept the usually effective Nathan Redmond under wraps for the most part. Slowly establishing himself as a key player. 7
Kept the usually effective Nathan Redmond under wraps for the most part. Slowly establishing himself as a key player. 7
Solid in the centre of the park, always looking to spread the play wide and take advantage of United's strengths. 6Solid in the centre of the park, always looking to spread the play wide and take advantage of United's strengths. 6
Solid in the centre of the park, always looking to spread the play wide and take advantage of United's strengths. 6
Another excellent display, gave Southampton plenty to worry about and drove Newcastle forward throughout. Only withdrawn after a series of heavy knocks. 8Another excellent display, gave Southampton plenty to worry about and drove Newcastle forward throughout. Only withdrawn after a series of heavy knocks. 8
Another excellent display, gave Southampton plenty to worry about and drove Newcastle forward throughout. Only withdrawn after a series of heavy knocks. 8
Wasn't his day in front of goal, but was typically tenacious and his hold-up play excellent. Great work for Perez's second, too. 7Wasn't his day in front of goal, but was typically tenacious and his hold-up play excellent. Great work for Perez's second, too. 7
Wasn't his day in front of goal, but was typically tenacious and his hold-up play excellent. Great work for Perez's second, too. 7
A sublime performance from a striker full of confidence. Took his three goals well and was a constant menace. Barely put a foot wrong in a perfect performance. 10A sublime performance from a striker full of confidence. Took his three goals well and was a constant menace. Barely put a foot wrong in a perfect performance. 10
A sublime performance from a striker full of confidence. Took his three goals well and was a constant menace. Barely put a foot wrong in a perfect performance. 10
(for Almiron 64) - Did his job well after entering the fray and seemed to relish a more attacking role. 6(for Almiron 64) - Did his job well after entering the fray and seemed to relish a more attacking role. 6
(for Almiron 64) - Did his job well after entering the fray and seemed to relish a more attacking role. 6
(for Schar 68) - Helped Newcastle weather the storm as Southampton pushed forward late on. 6(for Schar 68) - Helped Newcastle weather the storm as Southampton pushed forward late on. 6
(for Schar 68) - Helped Newcastle weather the storm as Southampton pushed forward late on. 6
(for Hayden 77) - Added some energy to the midfield and played a crucial part in the third and final goal. 7(for Hayden 77) - Added some energy to the midfield and played a crucial part in the third and final goal. 7
(for Hayden 77) - Added some energy to the midfield and played a crucial part in the third and final goal. 7