Jermain Defoe hailed Alexander Isak's performance as a 'masterclass'

Picking up his second Player of the Match award from Sky Sports in as many games, along with his third goal in his last two outings, it’s safe to say Newcastle United’s Alexander Isak is a man in form and Jermain Defoe was in awe of his performance last night.

Super-Swede Alexander Isak bagged two goals last night as Nottingham Forest lost their first game at home in nine attempts thanks to Newcastle’s persistence.

His first was a superb improvised volley after Joe Willock‘s cross took a slight deflection which knocked the trajectory of the ball. The cross was falling behind the onrushing Isak, but the lanky striker was able to find a way for his elastic leg to connect with the ball and it cannoned off his shin into the bottom corner. Isak would later tell Sky Sports that he absolutely meant the finish.

Between his goals he even registered an assist, laying the ball on a plate for Elliot Anderson with a lovely little dink. Anderson powered home the header and took off in celebration. However, Newcastle’s joy was short-lived after Paul Tierney was summoned by VAR to the pitch-side monitor, ultimately and incorrectly, ruling out the goal for offside.

His second came in the dying embers of the game when Moussa Niakhate handled the ball in the area. Referee Paul Tierney didn’t need VAR to help him with this one as he pointed to the spot. Kieran Trippier held on to the ball making it seem like he was taking the spot-kick, but he was cleverly taking the flak from the Forest team to allow Isak time to compose himself.

Isak confidently stepped up and coolly placed the ball beyond Keylor Navas to secure the three points for the Magpies.

As with the game against Wolves last week, it wasn’t just Isak’s goals that caught the eye but his all-round play. His running with and without the ball to create space and his relentless energy were a joy to watch. Several times during commentary, Jamie Carragher referred to Isak as ‘sharp’ and that’s the perfect word to describe him lately.

Speaking to Premier League Productions crew at full-time, Jermain Defoe was full of praise for the Sweden international: “Again, his [Isak’s] performance tonight was a masterclass number 9 performance,” said Defoe.

“When you watch the game, I keep saying when he had to be that focal point he was strong with the ball, he was running in behind. Two good goals, pressure moments. He’s brilliant and you just can’t see him stopping at this point.”

It can’t have been easy for Defoe to say that being a former Sunderland and Tottenham player, Our bitter rivals and our Champions League spot rivals respectively.

Newcastle’s record signing now has six Premier League goals for United in only 10 appearances. If we can keep him fit for the duration of a full season next term, he’s going to be a huge player for us.