‘He was magnificent’: Eddie Howe was absolutely thrilled with how 24-year-old played vs West Ham

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Newcastle United would not have got a point from their game against West Ham had it not been for Swedish superstar Alexander Isak.

Callum Wilson is normally Newcastle’s go to guy against West Ham, but it was Isak who stepped up and delivered at the London Stadium.

The 24-year-old scored his sixth and seventh goals of the season for Newcastle, meaning he is now only three shy of his tally from his debut campaign.

With six of those goals coming in the Premier League, only Erling Haaland has scored more in the top flight of English football than Isak this season.

He has been exceptional, producing two deft finishes during the 2-2 draw with West Ham. The Swede very nearly got a hat-trick too, but was denied by the post.

Isak had been played through on goal by Dan Burn, then danced past Alphonse Areola who did well to send the striker wide. The West Ham goalkeeper did enough, with Isak unable to find the open net from the tight angle.

It proved to be a decisive miss, but Howe was much more interested in focussing on the positives of Isak’s performance against West Ham after the game.

Eddie Howe refuses to criticise Alexander Isak after miss

Following the 2-2 draw with West Ham, Howe spoke to the Athletic. He addressed Isak’s miss, but would not criticise the club record signing.

“Really tight angle on his left foot,” he said.

“I think he’s done everything right, (it was) just one of those moments where the angle got too tight in the end. Looking back, having drawn the game, that’s one moment that maybe we’d like to replay again, but (that’s) not a criticism of him.

“I thought he was magnificent today.”

Classy performance from Newcastle’s number 14

It is such a shame that Isak did not get his hat-trick. He came agonizingly close, and you have to imagine Newcastle would have won had his effort gone in.

Alas, it did not. But it was still a spectacular performance from the former Real Sociedad man.

During the first half, he was probably Newcastle’s best player. Eddie Howe made a tactical switch and put him on the left wing, where he caused Vladimir Coufal plenty of problems.

His speed and dribbling ability made him unstoppable at times, before he eventually showcased his killer touch in front of goal.

Isak’s two goals were excellent, as he continues his quest to be Newcastle United’s top scorer this season ahead of Callum Wilson.