Alexander Isak made Premier League history for Newcastle United as his double helped his side back into the top four with a 3-1 win at struggling Southampton.

The Sweden striker scored twice in the opening half, first levelling from the spot after Jan Bednarek's headed opener, before firing past Alex McCarthy to fire Eddie Howe's side ahead on the half-hour mark.

That made Isak the first player in Newcastle's history to score in five consecutive Premier League away games, with his double proving decisive against Ivan Juric's relegation-threatened hosts.

Sandro Tonali added a third after the interval after fine link-up play with Isak and Anthony Gordon, while Mateus Fernandes saw a late strike ruled out for offside after a VAR review.

It may have been a different outcome, however, if VAR had not recommended an on-field review after Joe Aribo sliced down Isak in the first half, with a penalty awarded following a lengthy check by Samuel Barrott.

The win lifted Newcastle back into fourth, one point and place clear of Chelsea before they visit Manchester City later on Saturday, while Southampton remain 10 points adrift of safety at the bottom.

Data Debrief: Ice-cold Isak stars again

Isak's away-day heroics again proved the difference as he took his tally against promoted sides in the Premier League to 15 goals from just 13 such outings.

His fine scoring run away from St. James' Park has helped Newcastle to four straight Premier League wins on the road, their best streak since a four-match run between September and October 1996.

This triumph may have been expected, however, given Newcastle have now lost just one of their last 24 Premier League games against promoted sides (W15 D8), winning their last six such encounters.

By contrast, Southampton are in desperate need of improvements after suffering a sixth straight defeat at home for the first time in their league history.