Alexander Isak continued his impressive goal-scoring streak at St James’ Park as Newcastle secured a vital victory over Tottenham, bolstering their aspirations for European football next season.
Isak demonstrated his clinical prowess with two well-taken goals, finding the back of the net in each half and extending his remarkable run of scoring on home turf to six consecutive matches.
With these goals, the striker’s tally for the season now stands at 17 in 24 Premier League appearances.
Anthony Gordan and Fabian Schar also contributed to Newcastle’s victory by finding the back of the net, while Timo Werner squandered two opportunities for Spurs due to poor finishing.
This emphatic win propelled Newcastle to sixth place in the table, edging them ahead of Manchester United by a single point. Meanwhile, Tottenham slipped to fifth position, trailing Aston Villa on goal difference.
Isak the latest in lineage of Newcastle strikers
From the likes of Alan Shearer and Andrew Cole to Malcolm Macdonald and Jackie Milburn, Newcastle’s fans have always held a special place in their hearts for prolific strikers.
Though Isak wears the number 14 on his shirt, the Swedish striker embodies the qualities traditionally associated with the iconic number nine.
In the history of the Premier League, only two players have scored in more consecutive games than Isak – Shearer (15) and Cole (eight) – highlighting his potential to become a beloved figure on Tyneside.
Isak’s brace in the resounding victory over Spurs showcased his clinical finishing ability, leaving the visitors reeling under the spring sunshine.
He opened the scoring by receiving a pass from Gordon, cutting inside, and unleashing a powerful low shot into the corner of the net.
This goal marked the first scored since Newcastle introduced “sound shirts,” which allow deaf fans to experience the atmosphere of St James’ Park.
During the celebrations that ensued, Newcastle captain Dan Burn conveyed his appreciation to the fans using sign language.
Gordon extended Newcastle’s lead with a second goal after capitalizing on Pedro Porro’s miscued clearance, before Isak effectively sealed the victory after halftime.
Despite initially appearing to be in an offside position, Isak perfectly timed his run from inside his own half before calmly slotting the ball past Tottenham goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario.
Although Isak narrowly missed out on a hat-trick – with Schar adding a fourth goal from a Gordon corner – he undoubtedly left a lasting impression on the fans streaming out of the Gallowgate End at the final whistle.
Werner’s woes as Spurs struggle
Tottenham had only failed to score in one of their previous 43 league matches prior to this game.
There were glimpses of promise in certain phases of their attacking play during the initial third of the match.
Newcastle’s defenders effectively neutralized the threat posed by Son Heung-min, limiting the influential player – who has tallied 15 goals and nine assists this season – to a marginal role.
Nevertheless, two clear opportunities presented themselves to German forward Werner in the first half when the outcome of the match was still undecided.
Werner missed a chance to connect with a Brennan Johnson cross, opting to lift a volley high over the crossbar instead of attempting a header.
Additionally, the 28-year-old, currently on loan to Spurs from RB Leipzig, squandered another chance by scuffing a shot inside the penalty area despite being well-positioned.
Tottenham’s failure to capitalize on these opportunities, combined with some defensive lapses, culminated in a disappointing defeat.
The loss undoubtedly dealt a blow to their aspirations of qualifying for the Champions League, even as manager Ange Postecoglou has been tempering expectations.
With upcoming fixtures against Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, and Manchester City in four of their next five matches, Tottenham must exhibit greater efficiency in front of goal to secure a top-four finish.