Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak has bettered an impressive scoring feat of Alan Shearer after netting a landmark goal in the Magpies' 2-0 first-leg win over Arsenal in the EFL Cup semi-finals on Tuesday night.
Isak entered the contest at the Emirates Stadium in red-hot form after scoring 13 goals in his previous 14 appearance across all competitions, including six strikes in his last four matches in the Premier League.
Three days on from scoring in Newcastle's 2-1 victory at Tottenham Hotspur, Isak was on the scoresheet once again in North London, this time against Arsenal as he put the Magpies in front in the 37th minute with a smart finish lifted into the roof of the net.
Gunners supporters will argue that the goal should have been ruled out for a push by Isak on Martin Odegaard in the build-up, but Newcastle's goal was allowed to stand and they entered the break in front.
Eddie Howe's side needed just six minutes after the internal to double their advantage, courtesy of a close-range finish from Anthony Gordon, and despite Arsenal's best efforts to pull a goal back, the resilient Magpies held on for a two-goal win, boosting their hopes of ending their 70-year trophy drought.
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A half century of Newcastle United goals for Alexander Isak! 🤩 pic.twitter.com/ZgBLgt2upd
Isak surpasses Shearer with landmark Newcastle goal
Isak's opener at the Emirates represents his 50th goal for Newcastle in his 89th appearance across all competitions, making him the third-fastest player in the club's history to reach that milestone after Andrew Cole (50 games) and Les Ferdinand (84 games).
Newcastle's No.14 has reached half a century of goals in fewer appearances than Magpies legend Shearer, who took 94 matches to reach the same landmark.
Since his debut for Newcastle in August 2022, only Manchester City's Erling Haaland (105) and Liverpool's Mohamed Salah (73) have scored more goals in all competitions among Premier League players than Isak.
The Swede has now scored 15 goals in 22 appearances so far this season, netting 13 times in 18 Premier League matches and now two goals in four EFL Cup fixtures.
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Howe pleased with "electric" Isak performance
Speaking about Isak to ITV after the match, Newcastle boss Howe said: "First half he was electric, I thought he played really well. He scored but I just thought his general game was in a really good place.
"He was feeling his hamstring a bit at half time, so we had to manage him in the second half and that was a big blow to our performance.
"I think we rode our luck at times and I think Martin [Dubravka] played really well and made some really good saves. I thought the set plays in the main we got the small details right.
"Our mentality to defend our goal with the blocked shots, the heroic pieces of defending that we saw in the last 20 to 30 minutes, it's great for us for the future."
Speaking about the result against Arsenal, Isak added: "It's massive. it's a great result. It's only the first half. If we don't go through then this has no meaning. It's a massive win."
On his form, the striker added: "I don't think it's too much of an individual thing, it's more a team thing. We've been very consistent to create chances."
Newcastle will have to wait until February 5 to face Arsenal at St James' Park in the second leg of their EFL Cup semi-final, and will now turn their attention to Sunday's FA Cup third-round tie against fourth-tier side Bromley.
Oliver Thomas
