The final weekend of Premier League action before Christmas saw Liverpool extend their lead at the top with a stunning 6-3 win at Spurs, the two Manchester clubs suffer yet more misery, and almost everything in between.
But who topped the charts? Our player of the week is…
Alexander Isak (Newcastle)
What is it about Scandinavian strikers? From Erling Haaland to Viktor Gyökeres, the region has arguably the pick of the strikers in world football.
None, though, are currently shining brighter than Alexander Isak, who continued his brilliant recent form with a hat-trick in Newcastle’s dominant 4-0 win at Ipswich, their second consecutive such result against a newly-promoted side.
The Swede’s first showed off his brilliant striking technique yet again, his third his neat feet, while his second was bread and water for a striker as cool and composed as anyone in the Premier League.
Given his exploits of late – Isak has scored nine in his last nine league outings, and six in his last four – it was not a major shock he took home the match ball, but it being his first in English foootball was slightly surprising.
Both the 25-year-old, and Magpies boss Eddie Howe, echoed those sentiments after the win at Portman Road.
“It’s been a long time coming for Newcastle, my first one here. I’m buzzing. Scoring goals will give confidence and help me and the team. It doesn’t matter if it’s one, two or three.” said Isak.
Howe added: “I’m surprised it has taken him this long to get a hat-trick with his talent, but I’m pleased, His first hat-trick for Newcastle is a great moment and we take pride in our players playing well.”
He joins Freddie Ljungberg (2003 vs Sunderland rather fittingly) as the only Swede to score a hat-trick in the English top-flight.
When you dive deeper into the stats since his arrival on Tyneside in a club-record £63m move from Real Sociedad in August 2022, it suggests it won’t be long before there’s a second for Isak and a third for Sweden.
Since Alexander Isak made his Premier League debut, only Mohamed Salah (52) and Erling Haaland (76) have scored more than his 41.
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On top of that, of players in Premier League (post-1992) history to score 40+ goals, only Haaland and Sergio Agüero have a better goals per 90 mins record than him, while he is tied with the player he is often compared to, Thierry Henry.
Isak seems destined for the very top, but the only question is whether Newcastle can satisfy his ambitions.
He has three years left on his contract, but there has been links to Arsenal, and almost every club will be interested if he’s anyway receptive to a move.
Howe knows this, and ending their decades-long trophy drought could be the difference between the super Swede staying or leaving next summer.
“He’s motivated and wants to do well. He has big aspirations with his career but he’s still relatively young. His desire to score goals is second to none and regarding his future, everything has been positive. I would love for him to contribute to us winning a trophy.”
With this type of form from their main man, the Geordies could just get their wish.
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