NEWCASTLE, December 22, 2024 - Newcastle United showcased their power and precision with a commanding 4-0 victory over Ipswich Town at Portman Road, underlining their resurgence in the Premier League. The triumph, which marked Newcastle's third consecutive win, was highlighted by Alexander Isak's dazzling hat-trick and Jacob Murphy's standout performance, propelling the Magpies to seventh place on the league table.
The match got off to the perfect start for Newcastle, with Isak finding the back of the net just 25 seconds after the kickoff. His opener came after Jacob Murphy’s cross deflected off Ipswich's Sam Morsy, allowing Isak to volley the loose ball home. Although originally ruled offside, the goal was confirmed after a lengthy VAR review, igniting jubilation among the away fans.
Murphy didn't just stop there; he doubled the lead with a spectacular strike from distance, crashing the ball off the underside of the crossbar after 30 minutes. The Tractor Boys, still awaiting their first home league win this season, faltered under Newcastle's relentless pressure.
Bruno Guimarães played a pivotal role by intercepting a poorly executed pass from Ipswich goalkeeper Arijanet Muric just before halftime, setting up Isak for his second goal. The grip on the match tightened as Newcastle went three goals up heading to the break.
Isak completed his hat-trick just nine minutes after the second half commenced, deftly finishing off another assist from Murphy, who had been instrumental throughout the match. The Swedish international’s hat-trick, his first for Newcastle, was the club's first Premier League treble since Ayoze Pérez achieved the feat against Southampton back in April 2019.
This victory came on the heels of Newcastle defeating Leicester City 4-0 and Brentford 3-1, highlighting their impressive form during this festive period. Manager Eddie Howe expressed his delight over his team's performance, particularly praising Isak for his class and composure. "There's no doubting his quality," Howe remarked. "He has really responded well. The goals today just show his class and coolness in front of goal. With his speed and his technical ability, he has a bit of everything."
Despite Ipswich's recent victory against Wolves, the team struggled significantly against the Magpies. Without their suspended top scorer Liam Delap, they rarely threatened Newcastle’s defense and failed to force goalkeeper Martin Dubravka to make any notable saves. Ipswich manager Kieran McKenna lamented the lack of competitiveness from his side, stating, "We came up against an opponent who was simply too good for us today. The game ran away from us, and it’s clear we need to learn lessons from this defeat."
Newcastle's performance was backed up by impressive statistics; they recorded 69% possession, compared to Ipswich's 31%, and generated 2.31 expected goals (xG) against Ipswich's 0.70. The visitors proved dominant across the pitch and could have scored more had it not been for Muric's saves and narrow misses by players like Sandro Tonali and Anthony Gordon.
The ramifications of this match are significant for both teams. For Newcastle, the victory moved them comfortably within the top half of the table as they look to secure European football for next season. Conversely, Ipswich finds themselves firmly entrenched in the relegation battle, still seeking their first home league win of the campaign, with the squad facing tough upcoming fixtures against Arsenal and Chelsea.
Reflecting on the season, Newcastle has won three of their last four league games, marking significant progress after earlier inconsistencies. Howe’s side has shown resilience and adaptability, now eager to challenge for higher honors as they head toward the busy fixture season.
Meanwhile, Ipswich needs to regroup quickly to find solutions to their current challenges. McKenna and his coaching staff have expressed the need for improvement to remain competitive and to avoid slipping too far down the Premier League standings as they inch closer to the halfway mark of the season.
Newcastle’s next matchup will see them host Aston Villa at St James' Park on Boxing Day, aiming to continue their strong momentum. Meanwhile, Ipswich faces another tough test as they visit Arsenal the following day, hoping to finally secure some points at home before the New Year.
The fans from both teams left the stadium with distinctly different outlooks; Newcastle's supporters celebrated their team's remarkable form, whilst Ipswich's faithful expressed concern for their club's prospects as they approach the heady festive fixtures.
