Sunday marks two years since Benitez’s appointment as Toon boss. And Brazilian winger Kenedy bagged a first-half brace to open his account for Newcastle after joining on loan from Chelsea in January.
Then Matt Ritchie, who scored his first Premier League goal for the Magpies in the 1-0 win over Manchester United at St James’ Park last month, put the home side firmly in control after the break. And Newcastle, without a victory in eight home league games before beating Jose Mourinho’s men, made it back-to-back wins on their own turf.
After defeat in this relegation six-pointer, Southampton boss Mauricio Pellegrino faced chants of “you don’t know what you’re doing’’ from the travelling fans as their side lost for the first time in seven away games in league and cup.
This was master versus pupil as Benitez duelled with Pellegrino, whose spells under the Spaniard included playing and coaching at Liverpool.
As examinations go, it could hardly have been more important for both and Argentinian Pellegrino was not helped by the continued absence of striker Charlie Austin, skipper Steven Davis and vice-captain Maya Yoshida due to injury. But Benitez was able to welcome back Jonjo Shelvey after he missed the 2-0 defeat by Liverpool at Anfield a week earlier with a knee problem.
And Shelvey was instantly instrumental as Newcastle made the breakthrough after little more than a minute. The midfielder lobbed the ball forward to Kenedy, who chested it and turned in one stunning movement before scuffing his left-foot finish but finding the net just inside the far post.
Shelvey showed his range of passing again in the fifth minute when his measured through-ball found Dwight Gayle in behind the defence. But despite taking a touch, he couldn’t get a shot on goal as keeper Alex McCarthy came out to block.
And Gayle passed up another opportunity to extend the Magpies’ lead in the 25th minute. Mario Lemina was dispossessed by Mo Diame, who fed Gayle through the middle, but the striker shot straight at McCarthy.
Gayle, however, played a crucial role when Newcastle doubled their advantage four minutes later. Midfielder Lemina was again found wanting as he slipped and Ayoze Perez embarked on a strong run from deep inside his own half. The Spaniard then set up Gayle on the right, but he crossed to the far post where Kenedy was left with a simple tap-in.
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Rafa Benitez's side are now five points clear of the drop zone
In the opening stages of the second half, Perez was almost rewarded for all his hard work in the first period. Ritchie delivered an outswinging left-wing corner, but Perez directed his near-post header just over the bar.
It was Ritchie, though, who added the third for Newcastle in the 56th minute. Shelvey teased the Saints’ defence before rolling the ball to the Scottish international, who curled a low, left-foot effort from the edge of the ‘D’ and beyond the reach of McCarthy into the far corner of the net.
Southampton finally forced a save from Martin Dubravka when Argentinian striker Guido Carrillo – yet to score since arriving in January for a club record £19million from Monaco – produced a shot at the near upright that was relatively comfortable for the keeper.
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Carrillo was then replaced by Manolo Gabbiadini as Pellegrino used up all three of his substitutions in a desperate attempt to salvage the game. One of those subs, Josh Sims, drew a save from Dubravka in the 76th minute as the visitors began to apply more pressure, but it was all in vain.