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Ipswich Town boss Kieran McKenna spoke highly of Newcastle United and Alexander Isak after his side’s 4-0 defeat.
The Tractor Boys - who were without their own top goalscorer in Liam Delap - got off to the worst possible start when Isak opened the scoring after just 26 seconds. Jacob Murphy and Isak increased the Magpies’ lead to 3-0 at half-time. And not long after the restart, Isak completed his hat-trick.
Isak has scored 46 goals in 85 matches since he moved to St James’ Park for club-record £63million in August 2022, though the 25-year-old’s hat-trick at Portman Road was his first in black and white.
Kieran McKenna, Manager of Ipswich Town, reacts during the Premier League match between Ipswich Town FC and Newcastle United FC at Portman Road on December 21, 2024 in Ipswich, England. (Photo by Paul Harding/Getty Images)Kieran McKenna, Manager of Ipswich Town, reacts during the Premier League match between Ipswich Town FC and Newcastle United FC at Portman Road on December 21, 2024 in Ipswich, England. (Photo by Paul Harding/Getty Images)
Kieran McKenna, Manager of Ipswich Town, reacts during the Premier League match between Ipswich Town FC and Newcastle United FC at Portman Road on December 21, 2024 in Ipswich, England. (Photo by Paul Harding/Getty Images) | Getty Images
“He's a very good striker, we've faced plenty of good strikers this year but he's one of a very high level and everything that we thought Newcastle were and everybody knows they are at their best, they showed today,” said McKenna.
Ipswich’s defeat means they remain without a home win in this campaign and sit 18th in the Premier League table. Newcastle, meanwhile, recorded a third win in seven days, moving up to 7th - two points below fifth place Aston Villa who they host on Boxing Day.
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“They've got incredible athleticism, incredible pace not just in the front line but at full-back and midfield, they've got that athleticism and have managed to open us up,” McKenna continued. “We didn't manage the game well enough when it was open to close it up.
“If the game is as open as it was in the first half then that gives Newcastle their best chances because their forwards are all big, big threats. We've come up against a very, very good team.
“One of the most physical teams in the Premier League, certainly the top three.”
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