Newcastle United put on a spectacular display at Portman Road, demolishing Ipswich 4-0 in a one-sided Premier League clash. Alexander Isak stole the show, scoring his first-ever Premier League hat-trick as the Magpies cruised to victory.
Flying High After a Perfect Week
Newcastle arrived in high spirits after an impressive week, having thrashed Leicester 4-0 last Saturday and secured a spot in the Carabao Cup semi-finals with a midweek win over Brentford. Their confidence was evident from the very first minute as they took control of the game.
Isak’s Lightning-Fast Opener
It took only 25 seconds for Newcastle to take the lead. Jacob Murphy delivered a pinpoint cross into the box, which bounced back to Isak. The Swedish striker hammered the ball into the net, giving Newcastle an early advantage. However, the goal was delayed for a VAR check, and after a brief wait, the goal was confirmed.
Murphy Makes His Mark
Ipswich was on the back foot from the start, and their defensive struggles continued. Just after the half-hour mark, Jacob Murphy doubled Newcastle’s lead. He scored a powerful strike to make it 2-0, his third goal in just two league games. Murphy, who had already impressed with his assist for the opener, was proving to be a standout player.
A Mistake Punished Before Halftime
Ipswich goalkeeper Arijanet Muric made a costly mistake just before halftime. He attempted a short pass to Jens Cajuste, but Bruno Guimaraes intercepted it inside the box. Guimaraes quickly set up Isak for his second goal, as the striker calmly slotted it past Muric. At 3-0, the game was all but over for Ipswich.
Isak Completes His Hat-Trick
The second half saw no let-up from Newcastle. Isak completed his hat-trick with a brilliant back-heel assist from Murphy. The winger danced around Ipswich defenders in the box, before setting up Isak for an easy finish. It was a perfect display of teamwork, and Isak left Portman Road with the match ball in hand.
Ipswich’s Struggles Continue
This loss means Ipswich will remain in the relegation zone over Christmas. Their hopes of securing their first home league win of the season have been dashed. The defeat also marked Ipswich’s heaviest home loss since April 2018, highlighting the scale of their struggle in the Premier League.
Newcastle’s Strong Push Up the Table
On the other hand, Newcastle’s dominant win lifted them to seventh place in the table. After a slow start to the season, Eddie Howe’s side is showing signs of rediscovering their best form. Howe praised Isak’s performance after the match, describing him as “world-class.”
Howe Confirms Isak’s Future at Newcastle
“He’s playing with so much confidence now,” Howe said. “When he’s at his best, he’s a complete striker. He’s quick, technically gifted, and has that rare composure in front of goal.”
Howe was also asked about the January transfer window and whether the club would consider selling Isak. The manager was clear in his response, stating there was no intention to let the striker go. “There is no part of me or anyone at Newcastle that wants to let Alex go. He’s part of our long-term plans,” Howe emphasized.
Ipswich Needs to Learn from Defeat
Ipswich boss Kieran McKenna admitted that his team was simply outclassed by a better opponent. He acknowledged that Ipswich had been competitive throughout the season but faced a Newcastle side that was too strong. “We have to take lessons from this,” McKenna said. “We need to show a different side of ourselves in our next games against Arsenal and Chelsea.”
McKenna’s Call for Resilience
Ipswich, who had been looking to make a strong push at home, found themselves overrun and outplayed. McKenna stressed the importance of showing resilience in their upcoming matches. “We have to be close to 100 percent to be competitive, and we need to do all the right things,” he added.
Looking Ahead: Newcastle’s Momentum Builds
For now, Newcastle will celebrate a brilliant performance, with Isak’s hat-trick the standout moment. They will look to continue their momentum and climb higher in the table as the season progresses. As for Ipswich, they face a tough battle ahead if they are to escape the relegation zone.
Ipswich’s Long Wait Continues
As the festive season approaches, Ipswich’s wait for their first home Premier League win of the season continues. But with Newcastle’s thrilling victory, one thing is certain: Eddie Howe’s team is starting to find their rhythm, and they will be a force to reckon with in the second half of the season.
Betting Tip:
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