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Alan Shearer names the three ‘world-class’ forwards in the Premier League
Alexander Isak scored twice as Newcastle came from behind to beat Southampton (Picture: Getty) Alan Shearer believes Alexander Isak has played himself into the ‘world-class’ bracket after a phenomenal start to the season with Newcastle. Isak was once again at the heart of everything positive from Newcastle’s perspective as Eddie Howe’s side came from behind to defeat lowly Southampton 3-1 at St Mary’s on Saturday afternoon. The Magpies faced an early scare as Jan Bednarek headed Southampton in front after only ten minutes but Isak won and converted his own penalty to equalise midway through the first half. Isak had his brace just four minutes later, with the Swede curling the ball beyond Alex McCarthy to notch his 17th of the top-flight campaign and make it 2-1 on the south coast. Sandro Tonali put the visitors out of sight with a third in the second half and the Toon held firm to return to winning ways after their setback against Bournemouth a week earlier. The result ensured Newcastle remain level on points with fourth-placed Manchester City in the Premier League table, with the champions overcoming Chelsea later in the day. ‘Shall we talk about Isak? Yeah, why not! Another magnificent performance,’ ex-Newcastle striker Shearer – the Premier League’s all-time top scorer – said on the BBC’s Match of the Day programme. The Sweden forward has scored 19 goals in all competitions this term (Picture: Getty) Isak converted from the spot after being brought down by Aribo (Picture: Getty) ‘Everything about his game… this is so clever (Isak’s play to win his spot-kick). ‘He’s in an offside position, but just watch his movement so that he comes to that position where he can receive the pass. He’s no longer offside. ‘[Joe] Aribo goes up against him. He forces it, he makes the defender make a challenge and it’s without doubt a penalty.’ Shearer believes Isak should now be considered ‘world-class’ (Picture: Getty) On Isak’s penalty, Shearer added: ‘He’s got a really interesting technique. ‘He has a look at the goalkeeper just before he touches the ball and he puts it into the corner of the net. ‘From the other angle, you see he has one look at the goalkeeper and then all of a sudden he’s on the ball and just before he gets to the ball he lifts the head and looks at the goalkeeper again. ‘He sees him go that side and he slots it to the other side.’ Isak is 100 goals away from Shearer’s record with Newcastle (Picture: BBC) According to Shearer, Isak should now be considered alongside Manchester City’s Erling Haaland and Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah as the league’s only genuine ‘world-class’ forwards. ‘I think there are three world-class forwards in the Premier League now,’ the former England forward continued. ‘Haaland being one, Salah being another and I think Isak has played himself into that company now.’ Isak has ‘played himself’ into the same company as Haaland and Salah, says Shearer (Picture: Getty) While Danny Murphy and Gary Lineker both agreed that Isak had enjoyed a magnificent start to the season, they believe the Swede still has some work to do before he can be considered truly world-class. ‘I actually think he’s got world-class ability but to call him a world-class player… I think he’s got to do it for longer,’ ex-Liverpool and England midfielder Murphy said. Lineker chimed in: ‘I absolutely agree with that. ‘I think he’s definitely got the capabilities though. There’s no question about that.’ Speaking shortly after the final whistle, Newcastle head coach Howe suggested Isak was reaping the rewards after putting in the hard yards in training. ‘He’s been outstanding this year,’ Howe said. ‘Pretty much since day one he’s been a regular scorer for us and that’s no doubt helped his self-belief. ‘His general confidence when he enters the pitch seems really high at the moment and that’s not a given. You have to earn that through your training.’
Alan Shearer believes Alexander Isak has played himself into the ‘world-class’ bracket after a phenomenal start to the season with Newcastle.
Isak was once again at the heart of everything positive from Newcastle’s perspective as Eddie Howe’s side came from behind to defeat lowly Southampton 3-1 at St Mary’s on Saturday afternoon.
The Magpies faced an early scare as Jan Bednarek headed Southampton in front after only ten minutes but Isak won and converted his own penalty to equalise midway through the first half.
Isak had his brace just four minutes later, with the Swede curling the ball beyond Alex McCarthy to notch his 17th of the top-flight campaign and make it 2-1 on the south coast.
Sandro Tonali put the visitors out of sight with a third in the second half and the Toon held firm to return to winning ways after their setback against Bournemouth a week earlier.
The result ensured Newcastle remain level on points with fourth-placed Manchester City in the Premier League table, with the champions overcoming Chelsea later in the day.
‘Shall we talk about Isak? Yeah, why not! Another magnificent performance,’ ex-Newcastle striker Shearer – the Premier League’s all-time top scorer – said on the BBC’s Match of the Day programme.
‘Everything about his game… this is so clever (Isak’s play to win his spot-kick).
‘He’s in an offside position, but just watch his movement so that he comes to that position where he can receive the pass. He’s no longer offside.
‘[Joe] Aribo goes up against him. He forces it, he makes the defender make a challenge and it’s without doubt a penalty.’
On Isak’s penalty, Shearer added: ‘He’s got a really interesting technique.
‘He has a look at the goalkeeper just before he touches the ball and he puts it into the corner of the net.
‘From the other angle, you see he has one look at the goalkeeper and then all of a sudden he’s on the ball and just before he gets to the ball he lifts the head and looks at the goalkeeper again.
‘He sees him go that side and he slots it to the other side.’
According to Shearer, Isak should now be considered alongside Manchester City’s Erling Haaland and Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah as the league’s only genuine ‘world-class’ forwards.
‘I think there are three world-class forwards in the Premier League now,’ the former England forward continued.
‘Haaland being one, Salah being another and I think Isak has played himself into that company now.’
While Danny Murphy and Gary Lineker both agreed that Isak had enjoyed a magnificent start to the season, they believe the Swede still has some work to do before he can be considered truly world-class.
‘I actually think he’s got world-class ability but to call him a world-class player… I think he’s got to do it for longer,’ ex-Liverpool and England midfielder Murphy said.
Lineker chimed in: ‘I absolutely agree with that.
‘I think he’s definitely got the capabilities though. There’s no question about that.’
Speaking shortly after the final whistle, Newcastle head coach Howe suggested Isak was reaping the rewards after putting in the hard yards in training.
‘He’s been outstanding this year,’ Howe said.
‘Pretty much since day one he’s been a regular scorer for us and that’s no doubt helped his self-belief.
‘His general confidence when he enters the pitch seems really high at the moment and that’s not a given. You have to earn that through your training.’
