Craig Burley has lauded Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak for helping Eddie Howe’s side beat Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City 1-0 in the EFL Cup on Wednesday night.
A packed-out St James’ Park watched Newcastle United, after a first 45 minutes to forget, produce a masterclass performance during the second period.
Both managers made big changes to their XIs, but at half-time, Eddie Howe brought on his big guns, including Bruno Guimaraes.
But it was Alexander Isak who impressed Craig Burley, as he claimed that the 24-year-old performed ‘like he was born in Newcastle’, as he told ESPN.
The Magpies like to defend from the front and suffocate their opponents when they are on the ball, even if they are Treble-winners.
And Alexander Isak is the leader of that all, with Burley lauding the qualities of the highly-rated striker.
Newcastle knock Man City out of the EFL Cup
“You would have thought Alexander Isak was born in Newcastle,” said Burley. “The way he was running, making tackles and closing people down.
“He was getting the crowd up and I think the whole thing snowballed. Newcastle were really good in the second half.
“And Manchester City, it has to be said, never looked like they were going to score.”
Can Newcastle win the League Cup?
It’s a repeat of the 2023 Wembley final, this time at Old Trafford. What a chance for Newcastle to get revenge for that heartbreaking defeat many months ago.
With Manchester City already out, if Manchester United join them, then those at St James’ Park can finally rub their hands that a trophy might be heading their way.
What’s interesting is that from the Fourth Round ties, four more Premier League teams will exit, so this is a big, big chance for the Toon Army faithful to reach Wembley again.
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