Eddie Howe desperate to keep ‘world-class’ Alexander Isak at Newcastle

Those Newcastle fans who had made the long journey from the north-east to Suffolk got an instant reward, with Isak needing only 26 seconds to score his first, steering in a loose ball after Jacob Murphy’s cross from the right was not cleared.

Murphy added a second, before Isak was gifted his own second and Newcastle’s third just before half-time. Ipswich goalkeeper Arijanet Muric tried to pass to Jens Cajuste, who lost possession to Bruno Guimaraes, and Isak had the simple task of scoring.

He did not have to wait long for his hat-trick moment, producing a predator finish at the near post after another Murphy assist.

“Alex is a world-class talent,” added Howe. “The way he took his goals, he has that coolness and composure very few have. When you add into the mix his technical skills, I think he’s got it all.

“He has unique skills, and the challenge is to get him into the game as much as we can. Earlier in the season we weren’t doing that, but now the team are performing much better.

“He’s a player with a real confidence and we’re seeing a return to his really best levels – that’s highlighted by the goals he has scored.”