ALEXANDER ISAK is hoping Newcastle United’s welcome home win over Wolves will act as a launch pad for the remaining two-and-a-half months of the Premier League season.
The Magpies claimed their first home win since mid-December as they climbed back into the top eight and closed to within two points of the European places.
Isak set the ball rolling as he headed home a 16th-minute opener, with Anthony Gordon and Tino Livramento also finding the net as Eddie Howe’s side returned to winning ways in the league following the previous weekend’s heavy defeat at Arsenal.
While a return to the Champions League looks extremely unlikely, Newcastle still have realistic hopes of claiming a European spot in either the Europa League or Conference League in the final 11 games of the season, and Isak is hoping Saturday’s success will act as a springboard for more victories.
“It was a big one for us, for the rest of our season,” said the Swedish striker. “It was important firstly just to get a win, then a clean sheet at home, so it’s good vibes in the team and we have to keep going from this.
“I think every game we have left this season is going to be a big one. We have to start grabbing points, and this was a good start.”
Isak’s goal, which saw him head home after Bruno Guimaraes’ shot had been blocked by Craig Dawson, was his sixth in the last nine matches, and took his tally for the season to 14 in all competitions.
READ MORE:
- Analysis: How Eddie Howe proved his managerial mettle with tactical switch in Newcastle win
- Newcastle boss' 'complete one-off' praise for his side's star performer
- Player Ratings: Fabian Schar is Man of the Match in Newcastle's win over Wolves
A series of injury issues have restricted his involvement, but having returned to action towards the end of last month, the 24-year-old is starting to get back to something close to full fitness, even if he is still having to be withdrawn before the end of matches in order to guard against the possibility of an injury recurrence.
“I think I’m getting there, especially physically,” said Isak. “It takes some time to get back to your match fitness fully, but I feel like I’m getting there. That helps my game as well.”
The athleticism and intensity of Newcastle’s play was back in evidence at the weekend, with Eddie Howe’s remodelled gameplan, which saw the Magpies sit deep and look to spring on the counter-attack, proving extremely effective. Not only did Howe’s side end a four-game home sequence without a victory, they also claimed their first clean sheet in the league since mid-December.
⚫️⚪️ Some post-match thoughts on #NUFC’s win over Wolves, Eddie Howe’s successful tactical tinkering and Fabian Schar’s sensational long passing… pic.twitter.com/UDnVQi8w4A
— Scott Wilson (@Scottwilsonecho) March 2, 2024
“I think the guys worked very hard,” said Isak, in an interview with Newcastle's official website. “I think that’s the first thing you have to get right, the physical bit, working hard and running for each other. After that, I think we have enough quality to hurt the opponents.
“The clean sheet was very important. We’ve been there before, where we’ve been very solid and not conceding many goals, but it hasn’t been like that in the last few months. We got a clean sheet, and hopefully we can get more.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here