Newcastle moved up to seventh in the Premier League and deepened Ipswich’s relegation fears with a 4-0 win at Portman Road.
Alexander Isak continued his impressive form with a hat-trick, with Jacob Murphy also on the scoresheet.
In the end it was convincing, even if the opening goal was controversial after just 26 seconds. Isak’s shot was initially disallowed for offside against Murphy in the build-up, but the VAR ruled the winger was offside, although replays proved inconclusive.
Murphy made it 2-0 after 32 minutes and Isak ended the game as a struggle in first-half stoppage time after some slapstick play from the home team.
The Swedish international completed his triple nine minutes into the second half.
It’s two 4-0 wins in a row @NUFC in the Premier League, in a win in which Alexander Isak scored his first hat-trick for the club 🌟#IPSNEW pic.twitter.com/fPUH1kXXfN
— Premier League (@premierleague) December 21, 2024
The forest stings the bees
Brentford ended their unbeaten home record with a 2-0 win over Nottingham Forest at the Gtech Community Stadium.
Ola Aina gave the visitors the lead after converting Neco Williams’ left-wing cross and Anthony Elanga doubled their lead early in the second period after overpowering Keane Lewis-Potter and finishing well.
The win takes Forest into third place, although Arsenal can reclaim that spot with a draw at Crystal Palace in the tea-time game.
Kudus brings points for Hammers
West Ham and Brighton played out a 1-1 draw at the London Stadium, with Mohammed Kudus canceling out Mats Wieffer’s opener.
Wieffer gave the Seagulls the lead after 51 minutes, firing home from the edge of the box after the Hammers failed to clear a corner.
But seven minutes later Kudus equalized when he nodded over the line after Bart Verbruggen parried Jarrod Bowen’s shot.
Saw the lunch game Aston Villa cause Pep Guardiola and Manchester City even more pain with a 2-1 win.
Jhon Duran and Morgan Rogers scored the goals for the hosts, while Phil Foden scored the second with a late strike.
