Geordies charge on against Saints

It needed nothing more than a quiet word from Newcastle manager Bobby Robson to remind striker Craig Bellamy where he should be channelling his aggression. Bellamy, cautioned by police on Thursday for assaulting a woman, will find out today what punishment the club will mete out and he can expect a heavy fine.

Robson told Bellamy on Saturday to let his football do the talking. The result at St James' Park was the kind of performance which has ignited Newcastle's season.

Bellamy, who will be on international duty with Wales this week, was outstanding in a 3-1 victory over Southampton which keeps third-place Newcastle still looking eagerly at a Champions League place. Saints manager Gordon Strachan, who as Coventry boss sold Bellamy to Newcastle, will have hardly recognised him.

Robson said: 'He is one of my best ever signings. With his pace, penetration and the influence he has had for us - and his effect on the opposition - I would say he is twice the player he was at Coventry.

'I did have a little word before the game asking if he was fine and if he managed to get through the photographers outside his house. 'It was about football today, nothing else, and the kid was brilliant in his application. I knew he would be, because he is that sort of guy.' Robson's other major summer signing, the enigmatic Laurent Robert, opened the scoring, although his fantastic outside-of-the-left-foot free-kick from 35 yards was virtually his only telling contribution.

Robert will return to his poorly son in France this week - he has already made several visits, training with Montpellier to maintain his match-fitness.

Still, Robson is starting to see his patience with the £10million winger pay off as Robert returns to the inspirational form which caught the eye when he first arrived.