It may have taken longer than he would have wanted or his manager had expected, but Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak finally has a Premier League hat-trick to his name.
A clinical treble in a 4-0 away thrashing of Ipswich Town saw the Swede hailed as a “world-class talent” by Howe, who stressed his desire to keep him at the club with the January transfer window opening soon.
The 25-year-old now has 10 Premier League goals this season, only three behind top goalscorers Mohamed Salah of Liverpool and Manchester City’s Erling Haaland.
That is 41 Premier League goals in 67 appearances for Newcastle since Isak joined for a club record £63m from Real Sociedad in August 2022 – and he now has his first match ball.
“It’s been a long time coming for Newcastle, my first one here,” he said.
“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.”
Isak became the second Swedish player to score a Premier League hat-trick, after Freddie Ljungberg for Arsenal at Sunderland in 2003.
It was also the first treble by a Newcastle player in the league since Ayoze Perez’s three against Southampton in 2019.
“I’m surprised it has taken him this long to get a hat-trick with his talent, but I’m pleased,” said Howe.
“His first hat-trick for Newcastle is a great moment and we take pride in our players playing well.”
‘He has that coolness and composure very few have’
Those Newcastle fans who had made the long journey from the north-east to Suffolk got an instant reward, with Isak needing only 26 seconds to score his first, steering in a loose ball after Jacob Murphy’s cross from the right was not cleared.
Murphy added a second, before Isak was gifted his own second and Newcastle’s third just before half-time. Ipswich goalkeeper Arijanet Muric tried to pass to Jens Cajuste, who lost possession to Bruno Guimaraes, and Isak had the simple task of scoring.
He did not have to wait long for his hat-trick moment, producing a predator finish at the near post after another Murphy assist.
“Alex is a world-class talent,” added Howe. “The way he took his goals, he has that coolness and composure very few have. When you add into the mix his technical skills, I think he’s got it all.
“He has unique skills, and the challenge is to get him into the game as much as we can. Earlier in the season we weren’t doing that, but now the team are performing much better.
“He’s a player with a real confidence and we’re seeing a return to his really best levels – that’s highlighted by the goals he has scored.”
‘I want him to help us win a trophy’
With the transfer window opening next week, Howe knows Newcastle, without European competition this season, will face a fight to keep hold of their striker in the future, but hopes Isak can go on to win silverware at St James’ Park.
“There’s no part of me or anyone at Newcastle that wants to let Alex go,” added Howe. “He’s very much part of our long-term plans. He’s first class.
“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.
“I don’t think contract talks have started, but he has a long contract and when the time comes that will be discussed by Alex’s representatives and the football club.
“He’s very popular in the dressing room and that’s not always the case with an out-and-out goalscorer. He plays for the team, not just for himself, and he’s always willing to learn. I can’t speak highly enough of him.”