“Gamechanger” Alexander Isak hits 50th goal as Newcastle beat Arsenal in EFL Cup semi-final first leg | OneFootball

Alexander Isak reached a special milestone as Newcastle United beat Arsenal 0-2 in the first leg of their EFL Cup semi-final.

This has been the season of Isak. The Swedish striker had a slow first season at Newcastle, scoring 10 goals in 27 games across all competitions. He was hampered mostly by injury in his debut campaign, while also still only being 23.

Last season, Isak scored 25 goals in 40 games across all competitions, including 21 in the Premier League. And so far this season Isak has 15 goals in 22 games.

Quick maths will show you that Isak is now on 50 goals for Newcastle, hitting the milestone at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday night. The Swede has been in phenomenal form since the start of December, scoring in eight of his nine appearances for Newcastle across all competitions.

In that period of time, Isak has been the top-ranking striker in Europe’s top five leagues per our Squawka Score, with a total rating of 90%.

He’s averaged 1.37 goals per 90 minutes in the Premier League, 1.02 non-penalty Expected Goals and 1.11 non-penalty xG on Target. The Swede has 65.22% shooting accuracy and 1.07 big chances scored.

When you throw in the EFL Cup, Isak has averaged 1.23 goals per 90 minutes since the start of January, totalling at 10. He’s scored 1.11 goals from open play, from 3.32 shots, 2.09 of which have hit the target.

Isak has maintained his shooting accuracy, at 62.96%, and he’s scored 0.98 big chances. The Swede’s finishing has been top-notch too. Isak has a 0.9 xG per 90 across all competitions since the start of December, and 1.06 xGOT. That’s a shot placement ratio of 1.17, upping his chances of scoring by where he’s placing his shots.

On the night, Isak had two shots, both of which hit the target. He completed two of his three attempted take-ons and even created two chances. Isak is a man that can do everything. He had an xG of 0.55 and xGOT of 1.35, for a shot placement ratio of 2.44.

The goal against Arsenal was an instinctive finish. Isak at his best. It came from a deep free-kick played up the pitch and nodded on by Sven Botman. Jacob Murphy was the one to get onto the ball, though his touch was heavy, falling into the path of Isak. And once Isak was on the ball, it was only ever going to end up in a goal, lifting the ball high into the roof of the net.

Isak played a big part in the second goal too. After dropping deep to receive the ball initially, Isak made an unmarked run into the box. His shot was good, but saved. But Anthony Gordon tapped in the rebound.

“Again, Alexander Isak is the gamechanger,” Andy Hinchcliffe said on commentary.

“He’s scored one, made one. Unplayable at times.”

“I think so. I think everyone is in agreement with that. He’s on fire. Even for my goal. I’m just gambling back post,” Anthony Gordon told ITV when asked about Isak being the best striker in Europe.

“It’s all about attitude. It was unbelievable to a man. I want to mention Dan Burn, he’s been our player of the season for me.”

Gordon scoring shouldn’t have been a surprise either. The winger loves scoring against Big Six sides, with 11 of his 19 goals for Newcastle coming against teams from the so-called Big Six. This was his second goal for Newcastle against Arsenal, having also netted in the Premier League last season.