Isak insists personal accolades come second amid Newcastle hotstreak

Newcastle United's Alexander Isak insisted that individual accolades come secondary to team success as his scoring streak continued against Wolves in midweek.

Isak was on target twice against Vitor Pereira’s side on Wednesday, taking his tally to 15 goals in 19 Premier League appearances, with only Erling Haaland (16) and Mohamed Salah (18) netting more this term.

He has now scored in eight top-flight games in a row, three shy of equalling Jamie Vardy’s record, but the Swede said his focus remains on helping Newcastle climb up the table.

"I feel amazing. Individually, I feel free and confident, but looking at the team, we are doing so well as well, defending and with threats going forward,” Isak said.

"It is a team, and I have to keep contributing with goals. When we play at our best, the players will feel free. In my position as well, I want to be able to express myself in the best way I can.

"Records are things you enjoy after your career. I go into every game with the same mentality - to score goals, as that helps the team."

Bournemouth, meanwhile, were denied all three points in their last Premier League match, with Reece James’ late free-kick seeing their encounter against Chelsea end 2-2.

Despite that disappointment, the Cherries extended their longest unbeaten streak in the top-flight to nine matches (W5 D4), last having a longer run in any tier in October 2021 (a run of 15 in the Championship).

Antoine Semenyo praised his side’s showing against Enzo Maresca’s side, citing the Cherries' resilience as crucial to their recent run of form.

"We defended for our lives, and I feel that we should have got three points," Semenyo said.

"At half-time, the manager wasn’t happy! He livened us up, we needed to get our press right, and we did that from the get-go in the second half. That resilience and determination is how we’ve got our points this season.

"We all work for each other and that’s what we’re about, we’re resilient. I think we should have got something from the home game against Chelsea, and we could’ve got three points here, but we take the point and move onto the next one."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Newcastle – Alexander Isak

Isak has been in fine form for the Magpies this season, with his two goals against Wolves meaning he has now scored in each of his last eight Premier League appearances for Newcastle.

Only two players have had longer scoring runs in the competition’s history – Jamie Vardy (11 between August-November 2015) and Ruud van Nistelrooy (10 between March-August 2003).

Bournemouth – Justin Kluivert

Kluivert has scored more penalty goals than any other player in the Premier League this season, with six of his seven goals coming from the spot.

Only Joshua King (12) has scored more top-flight goals from the penalty spot for the Cherries than Kluivert (six).

MATCH PREDICTION: NEWCASTLE WIN

Newcastle are unbeaten in their last six Premier League games kicking off at 12:30 on a Saturday (W4 D2), having failed to win any of their six previous games in this slot (drawn two, lost four).

The Magpies have also won their last nine matches in all competitions and the Magpies are looking to win 10 in a row for the first time in their entire history.

Howe has been in charge of all 13 Premier League meetings between Newcastle and Bournemouth – he’s won just two of these 13 games (D6 L5) and is yet to beat his former side as Magpies manager (D4 L1).

Having won their first two Premier League away games against Newcastle, Bournemouth are winless in their last four visits to St. James’ Park (D2 L2).

Bournemouth have scored more goals via substitutes than any other side in the Premier League this season (11). With their combined goals and assists, substitute goal involvements have been worth 17 points to the Cherries this term, also a league-high.

Four of the last five Premier League meetings between Newcastle and Bournemouth have ended level, with the Cherries winning the other 2-0 in November 2023.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Newcastle – 55.8%

Draw – 22%

Bournemouth – 22.3%