Alexander Isak hailed as 'one of best strikers in world' as New Year celebrations start early for Newcastle

Swedish striker makes it 11 goals in as many Premier League games as Magpies make it four wins on the spin with victory at Manchester United

Alexander Isak scores Newcastle United's opening goal in their 2-0 Premier League win over Manchester United at Old Trafford on December 30, 2024. Reuters

Alexander Isak heads home to put Newcastle1-0 up in the fourth minute. EPA

Ruben Amorim became the first Manchester United manager in 45 years to lose three straight home games. PA

Striker Alexander Isak fires home for Newcastle but the goal was disallowed for offside. AFP

Alexander Isak, left, celebrates scoring Newcastle's first goal with Joelinton, Anthony Gordon and Lewis Hall. Reuters

Newcastle midfielder Joelinton beats Lisandro Martinez to the header and put his team 2-0 up in the 19th minute. Reuters

Joelinton celebrates after scoring for Newcastle United. Getty Images

Dejected Manchester United defender Harry Maguire after the loss that leaves his team seven points outside the relegation zone. Reuters

Newcastle captain Bruno Guimaraes celebrates at the end of the win at Old Trafford that lifted Newcastle up to fifth in the table. Getty Images

Alexander Isak scores his 13th goal of the season for Newcastle United. Getty Images

Newcastle United's New Year celebrations had already begun in earnest in the Old Trafford away end and visitor's dressing room a full 24 hours before the party is officially due to start.

The game against Manchester United could have been out of sight after half an hour after a powerhouse start which had seen Alexander Isak and Joelinton head home for Newcastle, with Sandro Tonali also hitting the post and their in-form Swedish attacker having another goal disallowed for offside.

While the home side finally decided to make a game of it in the second period, the damage had already been done leaving the Magpies free to see the game out and secure their fourth Premier League win on the spin.

During that run, Eddie Howe's side have scored 13 goals and conceded none, pushing the team up from the bottom half of the table up to fifth place, three points behind Chelsea in fourth.

While beleaguered United manager Ruben Amorim was left discussing a potential relegation battle after the match, it was a very different story for his Newcastle counterpart after guiding the Tyneside club to what was only their second win at Old Trafford in the Premier League era.

“We know this has been an unkind fixture to us for a long, long time,” Howe told the BBC. “To almost break new ground here and win in the manner that we did is really pleasing.

“Early in the season we were on the other end of it by conceding early goals and it makes such a difference [reversing it]. We gave ourselves mountains to climb at times, particularly on the road, and it is great to reverse it the last few games. Those goals have helped with momentum and confidence and from that point we have never looked back.”

“There is still a long way to go but the team is improving,” added Brazilian midfielder Joelinton, who made it 2-0 in the 19th minute during that whirlwind start.

“A good performance away from home today, three points, two goals, clean sheet. Great mentality from the boys from start to finish to defend our goal and score two to win the game.

“Belief is high. We started really well and scored the two goals, we could have scored more but didn't and then we lost a bit of control. At the end the most important is the three points and job done.”

Newcastle's first goal at the Theatre of Dreams came from striker Isak who has spearheaded their recent revival with 11 strikes in as many league games – including a hat-trick in the 4-0 win at Ipswich Town.

After becoming the first man since all-time Premier League top-scorer Alan Shearer to smash through the 20-goal barrier last season – with 25 in all competitions – Newcastle's £63 million record signing, like the team as a whole, started the new campaign slowly.

The 25-year-old now has 13 in total and his form is such that Isak, who is under contract at Newcastle until 2028, has been regularly linked with a move to various clubs including Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain.

Reports suggest Newcastle have slapped a £150m price tag on their prolific attacker and Howe has made clear he wants to build the team around Isak alongside the likes of Bruno Guimaraes, Joelinton and Anthony Gordon.

“He has been really, really good,” said the Newcastle coach of Isak. “His all round game is really strong. He can do a bit of everything. Most importantly he needs to be in the right place at the right time to score goals. Early in the match it was a great cross from Lewis Hall and Alex was there with the header.”

“He is amazing,” added Joelinton. “It is so good to have him and to play alongside him because he is one of the best strikers in the world right now and I hope he continues scoring goals and playing amazing because it is good for us.”

Newcastle's 2025 fixtures begins with a visit to Tottenham Hotspur before a crucial run of January fixtures that include a two-legged League Cup semi-final against Spurs' North London rivals Arsenal.

A return to Champions League football next season will now be a key target but ending the club's painful 55-year wait for a major trophy remains the ultimate goal.

“Time will tell how good we are but we are enjoying football right now,” added Joelinton.” We have to be humble and keep our feet on the ground because there is a long way to go.”