Alexander Isak has put himself in contention for the Golden Boot award after grabbing a brace for Newcastle United in Saturday’s win over Tottenham Hotspur.
The Swedish striker opened the scoring after sitting down Micky van de Ven a half hour into the game. That was followed up moments later by Anthony Gordon turning the Dutch defender inside out before doubled their lead at St James’ Park.
Isak grabbed his second of the day after the break, while Fabian Schar put the result beyond doubt late on as the Magpies ran out 4-0 winners.
“Normally we just press all the time but the game plan was a bit different today,” Isak told TNT Sports after Eddie Howe’s man-for-man approach paid off.
“The way the manager set up the team in the game plan was excellent and we executed it in a good way as well.”
Isak looked assured and calm in those one-v-one situations with Guglielmo Vicario as he coolly finished past the Italian goalkeeper twice.
“I have been looking at clips and videos of myself in those situations and I think sometimes I look more calm than I am,” he said.
“On the pitch the moments go quick but when I look back at myself it looks like I have all the time in the world.”
The 24-year-old also revealed that he has a favourite type of finish. “I am more comfortable coming off the left side [and shooting], it is a more comfortable position for me. I can sometimes play on the left wing too for this reason.”
Isak is now on 17 Premier League goals for the season, putting him joint-fourth with Mo Salah in the scoring charts. Seven of those have come in his last six appearances, which is the kind of red-hot form that could see him overtake Erling Haaland (20) and Ollie Watkins (18) before the end of the season.
“It is not really in my mind,” he insisted. “My season has been a bit troubled with injury, so all I am thinking about is staying fit and getting momentum, which I have now. I am thinking of playing well for the team and that is when I get the goals, when I do all the other things well.
“I feel I am in good form now, myself and the team too. We just need to keep going in this way and working hard.”
Read – Isak backed to become ‘one of the world’s best’
Read More – Five of the best to play for Newcastle and Spurs
See Also – Five of the best young managers in world football right now