Alexander Isak’s hat-trick powered Newcastle to a dominant 4-0 victory over Ipswich at Portman Road, marking their second four-goal win in the span of a week. The result showcased the attacking prowess of Eddie Howe’s side, who are hitting their stride as they approach the festive period. While the opposition struggled, Newcastle’s performance was a clear statement of their form, leaving Geordie supporters excited for what lies ahead.
Isak, in particular, was the standout performer, scoring his first hat-trick for Newcastle in five and a half years. The Swedish striker has been in sensational form, with nine goals in his last nine Premier League appearances. His coolness in front of goal and his varied finishing style were on full display as he took all three of his chances with clinical precision. Howe, full of praise for his striker, highlighted Isak’s combination of technical ability, pace, and composure, which makes him one of the most exciting talents in the league.
The match began in dramatic fashion, with Newcastle taking the lead within 26 seconds. A long pass from Fabian Schär sent Jacob Murphy clear on the right wing, and although his cross was initially flagged offside, VAR ruled that Murphy had timed his run perfectly. Isak made no mistake, firing the ball past Ipswich goalkeeper Aro Muric to give the visitors the early advantage. From there, it was all Newcastle. Despite a few brief moments of resistance from Ipswich, Newcastle dominated the game, with Isak missing a chance to double the lead when he was thwarted by Muric in a one-on-one situation.
Ipswich, who have shown resilience throughout the season, were outclassed in this encounter. Their attacking play lacked the necessary threat, especially in the absence of key forward Liam Delap, who was suspended, and George Hirst, who is recovering from injury. Sammie Szmodics, typically an attacking midfielder, was asked to lead the line but struggled to impose himself. Newcastle’s defense, led by Sandro Tonali in midfield, stifled any potential danger, and the home side failed to create any meaningful chances.
The match effectively ended as a contest just after the half-hour mark when Murphy, who had been a constant threat down the right, doubled Newcastle’s lead. Anthony Gordon, who had been involved in much of the attacking play, slid the ball across the box for Murphy to finish emphatically. The goal left Ipswich with little to show for their efforts, and Newcastle were in complete control.
Ipswich’s manager, Kieran McKenna, admitted his team had failed to manage the game properly. Instead of regrouping and defending, they opened up in an attempt to get back into the match, only to leave themselves vulnerable to Newcastle’s counter-attacks. The third goal came as a result of Ipswich’s defensive mistakes. Muric’s poor pass put Jens Cajuste under pressure, and Bruno Guimarães seized the opportunity to win the ball and set up Isak for an easy finish.
As the game wore on, Newcastle continued to dominate. Isak completed his hat-trick with a clever finish after a backheel from Murphy, capping off a perfect afternoon for the Swedish forward. The home crowd, who had been hopeful before the match, were left with little to cheer about as their team was thoroughly outplayed. There were a few chances for Gordon and Joe Willock to add more goals, but Newcastle comfortably saw out the match, securing a 4-0 win.
The defeat was Ipswich’s heaviest of the season, and while they have shown promise in their first season back in the Premier League, this performance highlighted the need for reinforcements in the January transfer window. The squad’s thinness was exposed, and McKenna will be hoping for a more competitive showing in the coming weeks.
Newcastle, on the other hand, will head into Christmas with confidence. Howe’s side looks increasingly dangerous in attack, and with Isak in such fine form, they are a team to watch in the second half of the season. As the match ended, the Sir Bobby Robson statue at Portman Road stood draped in a half-and-half scarf, a tribute to the legendary manager who had ties to both clubs. Howe, reflecting on the performance, noted that Robson would have been proud of both teams’ efforts, but it was Newcastle who left Portman Road with a smile on their faces.
