Jermain Defoe has praised Alexander Isak for the Newcastle United striker’s game-winning display at Nottingham Forest. He scored twice as the Magpies won 2-1 at the City Ground.
The home side initially went ahead on 26 minutes when Emmanuel Dennis beat Nick Pope to break the deadlock. But Isak produced an improvised shot to pull Newcastle level in the second minute of first-half stoppage-time. He also later fired home a 90+3 minute penalty.
Isak now has three goals in his past two Premier League appearances having also scored as Newcastle beat Wolves 2-1 last week. The 23-year-old’s efforts also took him to six goals in 10 top-flight outings so far this term. He has also now started seven games for the Toon.
Newcastle broke the bank to sign Isak last August after paying Real Sociedad a club-record £63m for the Sweden international. But manager Eddie Howe has often been without their 37-cap attacker. He missed four months after suffering a thigh injury on international duty.
Isak finally now appears to be showing Newcastle and Howe what he can give after scoring twice at Nottingham Forest. While his first of the night showed the forward’s intelligence to contort his leg into a position to fire Joe Willock’s cross beyond Keylor Navas and equalise.
Isak inspired Newcastle to a late win at Nottingham Forest with a Friday night brace
Willock’s delivery was slightly behind Isak, forcing the Newcastle star to improvise to score their first goal at Nottingham Forest. Both of his feet would leave the ground as Isak struck the ball, as well. But the attacker bent his boot around the ball to net in off the woodwork.
Isak often proved to be a problem for Nottingham Forest as Newcastle went in search of a second goal. He also teed the ball up for Elliot Anderson to net. But VAR Peter Bankes and referee Paul Tierney, questionably, ruled his goal out after deeming Sean Longstaff offside.
Serge Aurier would also have to get his body in the way to prevent Isak from beating Navas again in the closing stages. But the right-back could not help his goalkeeper when Moussa Niakhate raised his arm to block Isak’s header in stoppage time to give the Toon a penalty.
Nonchalant Isak impressed Defoe with his role in the Toon’s come-from-behind win
Isak waited for Navas to move to fire Newcastle in front for his second goal at Nottingham Forest. The striker was nonchalant from 12 yards out for his third goal in less than a week. Isak also impressed Premier League hero Defoe with his role in Newcastle’s win on Friday.
“Isak’s whole performance was fantastic,” Defoe told Premier League Productions. “His goals, his hold-up play and the penalty – he made it look so easy and stuck it away.
“It’s an amazing, great performance. Even towards the end of the game, his energy levels and pressing were top class.”
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