Ayoze Perez’s first Toon hat-trick downs Southampton and steers Rafa Benitez’s side to Premier League safety

AYOZE PEREZ’S first Newcastle hat-trick was enough to see off Southampton and steer Rafa Benitez’s side to Premier League safety.

The Spaniard reached double figures in England’s top-flight for the first time to lift the Magpies up to 12th and surpass the elusive 40-point benchmark.