The story of two strikers unfolded at St James’ Park as Alexander Isak headed home a late winner to secure a 1-0 win for Newcastle United over Fulham and keep their top four hopes on track. However, it was far from straightforward.
On his return to St James’ Park, Aleksandar Mitrovic was always going to be the centre of attention. But one of the most fearsome strikers in the Premier League couldn’t make his former side pay.
With the scores level at 0-0, the Fulham forward was given a golden opportunity in the second half, as Bobby Docordova-Reid was taken down by Kieran Trippier just inside the box, but from the resulting penalty, chaos ensued.
Mitrovic found the back of the net and ran off celebrating, but it turned out as he slipped in the run-up, he kicked the ball with his right foot onto his left. Two touches. Newcastle were awarded the free-kick and let off the hook in the most dramatic circumstances.
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Over the last few years, it feels like those at St James’ Park have been left to rue the decision to let both Mitrovic and Ivan Toney go. The Serbian was at the club as recently as 2018, but after 12 goals in 17 matches on loan at Fulham, they managed to sign him permanently.
Since then, he’s been a spectacular goalscoring sensation in white. He’s closing in on 100 goals for the club and this season, he’s shown for the first time that he can do it in the Premier League. Only Erling Haaland, Harry Kane and Toney have found the back of the net more times than Mitro this term in the Premier League.
For Newcastle, especially over the last few years of struggle under Mike Ashley and Steve Bruce, it has been a decision that has haunted them. But are the side, who now sit third in the Premier League, finally over their former striker?
As £58m man Isak came off the bench to score the late winner, it certainly feels that way. But Newcastle had to work awfully hard to find the eventual breakthrough.
Callum Wilson was a constant threat, as he has been all season, and his movement caused problems for a stubborn Fulham defence. At one point, he took two incredible touches to beat Issa Diop on the turn but fired his finish straight at Bernd Leno.
Newcastle continued to press, but without creating too many clear cut chances. In the second half Wilson headed a corner wide before Fabian Schar thumped the post with a free-kick, but they had to wait to find the breakthrough.
Worryingly, Bruno Guimares was taken off at half-time having had his ankle heavily strapped in the first half, and given his influence this season, he could be a major miss. However, Eddie Howe’s side got the three points without him, having received that slice of luck from the penalty spot.
Howe was brave in throwing on Isak to play alongside Wilson, and his bravery paid off in style. Sean Longstaff stuck a box to the back post and the England international managed to get the ball back across goal for his strike partner to head home.
They could prove to be a potent front two as the rest of the season unfolds and in what is turning into an epic season, Newcastle fans can finally put the regret of selling Mitrovic behind them. There’s a new hero in town, and his name is Alexander Isak.
