Eddie Howe raves about 24-year-old Newcastle forward, says he’s a ‘real talent’

Alexander Isak grabbed another goal for Newcastle United yesterday taking him to five for the season in all competitions.

After the 2-0 win against Burnley, Newcastle striker Alexander Isak admitted that he should have scored more but his sharpness in front of goal let him down.

The £63million Swede still managed to come away with a goal to his name after a coolly taken penalty in the second half.

Eddie Howe says he is ‘very pleased’ to have Isak at Newcastle

Eddie Howe spoke to NUFC TV at full-time and heaped praise on Isak saying: “Really pleased. I think the penalty was a decisive moment and he’s cool, Alex. He’s very calm, composed, I thought he tucked it away really well.

“I think he’s had another good chance that he’s probably a bit frustrated with that he didn’t take, but he’s such a talent. A real technician and we’re very pleased that we have him in our squad.”

The chance Howe is referring to came in the first half when Isak was played through one-on-one but his first touch let him down, and although he was able to round the keeper, he wasn’t able to wrap his foot around the ball and direct it into the empty net.

Isak is still four goals behind Haaland in the race for the Golden Boot

A lesser player might have let that incident play on their mind and knock their confidence but there was no signs of that when Isak despatched his penalty

Isak is still a few goals behind Erling Haaland in the Premier League Golden Boot competition, but if he keeps fit, I expect him to be there or thereabouts by the end of the season.

Newcastle face Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League on Wednesday, and Callum Wilson might lead the line, keeping Isak for the weekend trip to West Ham. Given Wilson’s track record versus West Ham, it may make more sense to start him over Isak next weekend.