Newcastle player ratings v Southampton: 26-year-old facing the axe after horror show
Ayoze Perez – 8
Another start in the first team line up, and finally an end product from the 24-year-old forward.
Perez has been included in every starting XI in the Premier League this season and has had fans scratching their heads at what he brings to the side.
With just one assist and no goals from a number 10 role prior to Sunday’s clash, the doubts were understandable, but he finally paid his manager back against Southampton.
It was his perseverance which saw him slot past Fraser Forster after the former Newcastle man had initially denied him, and that willingness was evident throughout.
Whether Benitez will be tempted to try someone like Mikel Merino in the number 10 role in the future awaits to be seen, but having bagged his first goal of the campaign, his place looks safe.
Click ’12’ below to see how we rated Newcastle’s players against Southampton