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Eddie Howe hailed ‘electric’ Alexander Isak after the striker showed his class on a stormy night in Japan.
Isak was on target in a convincing 4-1 win for Newcastle United over Urawa Red Diamonds in a hot and humid Saitama today. Jacob Murphy also netted twice, while a Lewis Hall strike was deflected into the net.
The form of Isak and Murphy is a boost for Howe, who is waiting on summer reinforcements for his squad.
‘I thought he was very, very good tonight,’ said United’s head coach.
Alexander Isak (right) got on the scoresheet in Newcastle’s 4-1 win on Wednesday
He fired home to cap off a fine performance during Newcastle’s pre-season tour of Japan
Eddie Howe felt he delivered an ‘electric’ display and has backed Isak to get even better
‘He was electric, looked like he was hungry for goals. I think his game can go up (another level). I think there are areas to improve. We’ll always find those percentages to try and add to his game.
‘We work continuously with him, in partnership with him, really. We’ve got a really good relationship with him.
‘We’re trying to find new ways to score more goals, or help the team in different ways. Really pleased with his application today.’
On Murphy, Howe said: ‘Jacob’s having a good pre-season. He looks sharp, and motivated to help the team.’
The impressive Murphy has scored four goals so far in pre-season, and the winger believes that Howe’s team, backed by more than 2,000 United fans in Saitama, is in a ‘good place’.
‘I think we’re in a very good place right now,’ said Murphy. ‘We’ve still got two weeks to go. We’re doing well, and this was a good test for us.’
‘It felt like we were back at St James’ Park. Credit to them, and thank you for coming out. They were amazing.’
The game had kicked off following a torrential downpour at the Saitama Stadium, where United were backed by more than 2,000 fans.
Isak gave Newcastle a third-minute lead after being put through by Joe Willock. The striker – who had scored against Hull City four days earlier – showed a bit of tenacity on the edge of the box to regain possession before scoring with a fierce strike.
Jacob Murphy scored twice as Newcastle cruised to victory in stormy conditions
Lewis Hall (left) also found the net with a strike that deflected past the goalkeeper
United, still without England pair Kieran Trippier and Anthony Gordon, looked sharp in the opposition half in hot and humid conditions, but they had problems at the other end of the pitch.
Rio Nitta levelled for the home side with a close-range shot midway through the half.
Nick Pope – who had a long spell out through injury last season, and missed out on a place in England’s Euro 2024 squad – brilliantly saved a penalty, and also denied Tomoaki Okubo, during a spell of Urawa pressure.
Newcastle ended the half in front after Murphy scored with a low right-footed shot inside the area after Willock won the ball in midfield and raced to the box.
Murphy netted after the break to make it 3-1 after substitute Jamie Miley found him on the right side of the box.
An Urawa defender inadvertently headed a strike from Lewis Hall into his own net as the hour-mark approached
NEWCASTLE UNITED: Pope (Vlachodimos, 61), Livramento (Harrison, 70), Krafth, Burn (Heffernan, 79), Hall; Longstaff (J Miley, 46), Joelinton, Willock (Almiron, 46); Murphy (Turner-Cooke, 70), Isak (Sanusi, 61), Barnes (Parkinson, 61). Sub not used: Ruddy.
