Isak hat-trick helps Newcastle inflict more misery on woeful Ipswich

Newcastle moved up to seventh in the Premier League and raised 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, although the first goal, at 26 seconds, was controversial. Isak’s shot was initially disallowed for offside against Murphy in the build-up, but VAR ruled the winger was in play despite replays proving inconclusive.

Murphy made it 2-0 after 32 minutes and Isak effectively ended the game as a contest in first-half stoppage time after a clownish play in defense by the home team.

The Swedish international completed his hat trick nine minutes into the second half.

They are consecutive 4-0 victories for @NUFC in the Premier League, in a victory 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 saw their unbeaten home record come to an end with Nottingham Forest claiming a 2-0 win at the Gtech Community Stadium.

Ola Aina put the visitors ahead after taking advantage of a cross from the left by Neco Williams and Anthony Elanga doubled the lead early in the second half after stealing from Keane Lewis-Potter and finishing well.

Victory takes Forest up to third place, although Arsenal can regain that place with a draw at Crystal Palace in the teatime match.

Kudus wins a point for Hammers

West Ham and Brighton drew 1-1 at the London Stadium with Mohammed Kudus canceling out Mats Wieffer’s first goal.

Wieffer put the Seagulls in front after 51 minutes, firing home from the edge of the area after the Hammers failed to clear a corner.

But Kudus equalized seven minutes later, heading over the line after Jarrod Bowen’s shot was saved by Bart Verbruggen.

In the lunch match, Aston Villa further crushed Pep Guardiola and Manchester City with a 2-1 victory.

Jhon Duran and Morgan Rogers scored for the hosts and Phil Foden repeated the match with a late consolation goal.