Eddie Howe Affirms He Wouldn't Swap Alexander Isak After Stellar Performance For Newcastle United

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Eddie Howe expressed his unwavering support for Alexander Isak, stating he wouldn't trade him for any other striker. Isak's impressive performance continued as he scored in Newcastle United's 3-0 victory over Aston Villa, marking his fifth consecutive Premier League game with a goal. This achievement follows his hat-trick against Ipswich Town, highlighting his crucial role in Newcastle's success.

Newcastle's match against Aston Villa saw Anthony Gordon and Joelinton also finding the net. Despite having three goals disallowed, Newcastle capitalised on Jhon Duran's first-half red card to secure their win. Isak joined an elite group of Newcastle players who have scored in five or more consecutive Premier League games, including legends like Alan Shearer and Andy Cole.

In the current season, Isak has netted seven goals in these matches and 24 overall in the Premier League for 2024. Only Alan Shearer has scored more in a single calendar year for Newcastle, with 27 goals back in 2002. Howe praised Isak's talent and athleticism, emphasising his importance to the team as they conclude the year on a high note.

Howe shared his admiration for Isak with Amazon Prime, saying, "I love Alexander Isak, he has unbelievable quality. He's the right age, has the right athletic profile, I signed him and love him. I wouldn't swap him for anyone." He also mentioned plans to review the game footage to identify areas for improvement ahead of their upcoming match against Manchester United.

The match at St James' Park started with a bang as Anthony Gordon scored within 80 seconds of kick-off. This was the fastest goal in a Boxing Day fixture since 2014 when Adam Johnson and Harry Kane both scored within a minute. Howe commended Gordon's goal, noting his hard work on finishing and desire for more goals.

"It's a brilliant goal from Anthony," Howe remarked. "He's capable of that and it was great to see that go in as he has been working hard on his finishing and wants more goals." Despite playing against ten men after Duran's dismissal, Howe stressed that the game wasn't secure until Newcastle's second goal.

Managing Key Moments

Howe acknowledged that Newcastle managed the situation well despite being one player up after Duran's red card. He felt fortunate about the dismissal but admitted it seemed harsh initially. "I thought it was maybe harsh; that was my gut feeling," Howe said regarding Duran's sending off.

Reflecting on their performance, Howe expressed satisfaction with how his team adapted during the match. He praised their ability to maintain control and create scoring opportunities throughout the game. The attacking players' regained confidence was evident as they looked poised to score at any moment.

As Newcastle prepares to face Manchester United next week, they do so with renewed confidence and momentum from recent victories. The team's strong performances have positioned them well for upcoming challenges in the league.