Southampton beats Newcastle 4-0 in Premier League

SOUTHAMPTON, England (AP) Jay Rodriguez scored twice Saturday as Southampton routed Newcastle 4-0 in the Premier League in a match between two midtable teams with little to play for.

Rodriguez started and finished the scoring, netting the opener just before halftime and then adding the fourth goal in the 89th, after Rickie Lambert and Adam Lallana had already made sure of the victory.

The win means Southampton leapfrogged Newcastle into eighth place with 48 points, but remains eight points out of the European places with six games to go.

Rodriguez, Lambert and Lallana are all hoping to make England's World Cup squad and boosted their chances with a high-scoring display.

Lambert's cross set up Rodriguez for the opener, and Lallana's goal was a powerful 25-yard shot.

Rodriguez also hit the post before netting his second.