In his first 15 appearances this season for club and country, Alexander Isak had 12 direct goal involvements.
Scoring nine goals and getting three assists, for Newcastle United and Sweden.
Ahead of the latest international break, Alexander Isak scoring in each of four Newcastle United matches in a row, including the last three of those helping United to wins over Chelsea, Arsenal and Forest.
Returning after the international break, five minutes into the West Ham match, a sublime Lewis Hall pass played Alexander Isak in behind the Hammers defence, no chance of the defenders catching him and he produced a delightful finish to coolly lift the ball over Fabianski.
VAR though finding it had been the most marginal of offsides as Isak ran from just inside the West Ham half.
Newcastle of course hit by a West Ham headed sucker-punch at a poorly defended corner and then despite bouncing back and dominating the first 50+ minutes, the black and whites just couldn’t find a way to goal. Poor finishing, great defending, bad luck, fine margins, including a brilliant bit of play and ball from Bruno to hit a pass into Alexander Isak, who chested it down and under pressure from a defender, lashed his effort just the wrong side of the post. As I said, the finest of margins.
The rest is history.
West Ham making it 2-0 with just their second big chance of the match and Newcastle became increasingly ragged as they chased the game.
Fast forward to Palace on Saturday, the early stages seeing the lame referee allow the home side to take liberties, getting stuck into both Isak and Gordon, obviously the Eagles knowing fine well where the threats were. The referee summed up when one Palace player clearly pushed Alexander Isak into a painful collision with another Palace player, the pain instantly showing on Isak’s face as his hip connected with whatever. Anybody who has had that kind of blow during a match, will know how painful that kind of knock to the hip can be, regardless of whether there is or isn’t any long-term damage.
Moving on to the present though and beIn Sports presenter (and big Newcastle United fan) Andy Kerr, has been talking to Alexander Isak, a great and positive interview.
Here’s hoping tonight, that we see the Alexander Isak and Newcastle United that only weeks ago outperformed and defeated Chelsea, Arsenal and Forest.
For beIN Sports, Andy Kerr talking to Alexander Isak ahead of Newcastle v Liverpool:
Andy Kerr:
“Obviously, Newcastle United fans around the world will have seen you take the knock and go off injured, what was the injury and how are you feeling now?”
Alexander Isak:
“It was a knock to my hip and it was too painful to carry on.
“But it has developed… pretty good.
“So, I feel good.
“Hopefully 100 percent.”
Andy Kerr:
“Officially fit for Liverpool [match]?”
Alexander Isak:
“That’s the plan [with a smile].”
Andy Kerr:
“Fantastic news.
“In isolation, a draw at Palace isn’t a terrible result, but the West Ham performance and result shocked everyone, because that wasn’t the Newcastle we have been used to.”
Alexander Isak:
“Yes, I think you always have to be at your best as a team, because the Premier League is a very competitive league, where if you are not 100 percent at it, anything can beat you.
“So I think we have seen that this season.
“So I think we have to just focus on ourselves and our performance, to be the Newcastle we know we can be and the results will come.”
Andy Kerr:
“Next up at St James’ Park, Liverpool. Right now, probably the biggest challenge in English football. Do you feel like you are a team that gets up for the big occasions?”
Alexander Isak:
“Yes, I feel like we are a team who can beat any team, but we want to be a team that are always at the same level. But I definitely feel we have the quality to win these type of games. Especially playing at home, we have done that many times.
“But ever game lives its own life and I think it is going to be a good battle.
“I think we feel good, we feel motivated to get out of this form.
“I wouldn’t say bad form, because before the international break, we had a good run of wins, so I wouldn’t say bad form, but yes, get back to winning ways.”