Alexander Isak’s hat-trick fires Newcastle past Ipswich | Premier League

Sir Bobby Robson idolized both clubs, but in their first Premier League meeting since his death it was Newcastle whose performance would have lit up the old champions’ eyes. To put it bluntly, this was men versus boys and the away team would not have been flattered by a bigger win. Ipswich, in real trouble for the first time this season, could claim a measure of leniency but Eddie Howe’s players will rarely be allowed to run amok like this away from home.

They scored within a minute through Alexander Isak and never let up, with the Swede eventually scoring a hat-trick and a record nine goals in as many games in the top flight. Jacob Murphy, who was influential here, scored in the second half of a game that was already over at halftime. Newcastle, who have been a threat in successive 4-0 victories, are now beginning to show signs of a return to convincing form.

In the two hours before kick-off, queues formed outside the statue of Robson, who was wrapped that day in a half-scarf and stood just meters from the away fans’ area at Portman Road. A helpful steward greeted those waiting in line for photos; These two institutions, which have changed greatly but each retain their own beating heart, will always share something precious in his legend.

Newcastle found something of great short-term value within 26 seconds of the start. The instinct was that Murphy had been offside when he received a blatant pass from Fabian Schär that exposed Cameron Burgess. He had space to advance and when his cross from the right was only half cleared, Isak hit the loose ball into the ground and past Aro Muric. The flag was raised, but after a wait of almost three minutes, the VAR determined that Murphy’s timing had been spot on.

It was pouring rain and it was hard to imagine how the weather in Ipswich would change. Their talented centre-forward Liam Delap was suspended and a knee injury meant his deputy George Hirst had no chance. That meant Sammie Szmodics, who was capable but not a natural number 9, started up front and Newcastle would come away with a bundle of physicality.

Ipswich wouldn’t have to deal with a suspended Joelinton either. But Newcastle barely missed as Sandro Tonali shot a little too high from distance and Anthony Gordon missed a golden chance after a quarter of an hour. The winger should have scored after Murphy, again outdoing Burgess, deflected a ball from the byline but his header bounced over the goal.

In deteriorating conditions, Ipswich somehow managed to gain a foothold. Jens Cajuste, their impressive midfielder, wasn’t far away after a strong run down the left and Martin Dubravka had to block cleverly after Conor Chaplin brought Szmodics into the teams’ favor. Isak failed to capitalize on another clear opening as, after Murphy played him through, he allowed Muric to parry comfortably.

The problem for Ipswich was that Newcastle simply had too much in that space. Murphy, a Norwich academy graduate, took the next chance with vigor after Gordon carried the ball across the penalty area. His angled shot off the crossbar gave Muric no chance; An often-derided player has hit some welcome form with three goals in two league games.

Perhaps Ipswich could at least avoid further damage before the break. That idea was dashed when Muric, who had no outball further up the field, played Cajuste into a catastrophic tight spot and Bruno Guimarães grabbed the bag in the penalty area. Isak, who was standing in front of the goal, benefited from this and couldn’t miss.

If Muric’s decision-making was wrong, that of the Ipswich fans who booed was even further from the mark. Such dreary afternoons are vanishingly rare on Portman Road these days and the restrictions under which they worked here were well advertised. Kieran McKenna brought Ali Al-Hamadi, who was only partially fit due to a chronic groin problem, into the second half, but after a few early slips the problems worsened.

Guimarães had just missed with a diving header when Murphy, again putting Ipswich in trouble, tricked his way into the penalty area without a defender being able to counter him. The backheel that hit Isak afterward was still sublime, and the finish, delivered without backward movement, was another masterstroke from one of the division’s most beguiling talents.

Almost immediately, Joe Willock failed when sent through. Newcastle were strong, Gordon was next to threaten before shooting tamely. The score could have been anything at that point, but they were left deadlocked at four, the point long since scored in a final quarter played at a friendly pace.