Gary Lineker mocks Alan Shearer as worrying Newcastle United record gets worse

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Newcastle United started the new Premier League season with a draw against Aston Villa, but there was something missing for Gary Lineker.

It was a promising performance from Eddie Howe’s side, as Newcastle drew 0-0 with Aston Villa.

The problem was finding the back of the net, with Newcastle United unable to take advantage of their dominance. They created the best chances and even played against 10 men for more than 20 minutes, but could not break the deadlock.

It was a positive point for the Magpies, but the belief will be that it should have been three.

According to Gary Lineker, it could have been very different if a certain striker had been available…

Gary Lineker offers Alexander Isak hint after impressive Newcastle United performance

Lineker and Newcastle United legend Alan Shearer have debated the Magpies’ draw with Villa on the Rest Is Football podcast.

In the eyes of Lineker, it was a very strong performance from Newcastle United. However, he could not help but poke fun at his pal Shearer for the Alexander Isak situation, given the difference he would have made at Villa Park.

“I thought Newcastle played quite well in that game,” he said.

“Much the better side. Villa looked a bit flat. Their passing was off. You [Newcastle] had the best chances, didn’t you?

“Imagine if you got a really good striker in the squad somewhere…”

Shearer replied: “Don’t start! Goodness me!”

Newcastle United’s record without Alexander Isak last season

If Alexander Isak had played at Aston Villa, Newcastle probably would have won. That seems presumptuous, but all the Magpies were missing was someone to put the ball in the net.

Isak would have done that, but he was sitting at home. Newcastle fans chanted about Isak after the game, expressing their displeasure at a player who continues to disrespect the club.

• Who is Alexander Isak? The striker who burned his Newcastle United reputation to force £125m Liverpool transfer

All the while, the Magpies’ record without Isak gets worse. Amid this unsavoury situation, it is easy to forget how reliant Newcastle were on him last season.

During the 2024/25 campaign, Isak missed six games in total. Newcastle only won two of those games, and they were against Wimbledon and Bromley in the Carabao Cup and FA Cup.

Against Premier League opposition, Newcastle could not win without Isak. That trend has carried on into the 2025/26 season, as Howe’s side kicked off the new season with a draw.