Callum Wilson admits Newcastle are ‘getting closer’ to the Champions League after the club’s 3-1 win over Southampton at St James’ Park.
Newcastle came from behind to earn a vital win against the struggling Saints, who opened the scoring through Stuart Armstrong to lead at half-time.
Wilson – who came off the bench to replace Anthony Gordon at the interval – equalised for Newcastle nine minutes into the second half, before an own goal from Theo Walcott turned the game around for the Magpies.
Wilson scored his second just a minute later after rounding Alex McCarthy to seal the result, one which leaves Newcastle third in the Premier League table.
“I think we started slow and sloppy, we had a game a few days ago so it was probably down to tired legs and minds, we made changes at half time, got the crowd involved and brought new energy to the front line,” Wilson told BBC Sport.
“Mindset was the main thing, we regrouped at half-time, tactically tweaked a few things and blew them away second half.”
Newcastle now have a nine-point gap between themselves and fifth-placed Tottenham ahead of the latter’s clash with Liverpool on Sunday. With just five games of the season remaining, Wilson admitted Newcastle’s dream of securing Champions League football for the first time since 2002/03 is ‘getting closer’.
“We’re getting closer, the games are running out and we’re picking up points so all we can do is keep getting the points.”
