Newcastle rose 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 opening goal, after just 26 seconds, was controversial. Isak’s strike was initially ruled out for offside against Murphy in the set-up, but VAR ruled the winger was onside, although replays proved inconclusive.
Murphy made it 2-0 after 32 minutes and Isak effectively finished the game as a first-half injury-time match after some back-breaking from the home side.
The Swedish international completed his treble nine minutes into the second period.
It’s back-to-back 4-0 wins for @NUFC in the Premier League, in a win that saw Alexander Isak score his first hat-trick for the club 🌟#IPSNEW pic.twitter.com/fPUH1kXXfN
— Premier League (@premierleague) December 21, 2024
The forest stung the bees
Brentford saw their unbeaten home record come to an end as Nottingham Forest won 2-0 at the Gtech Community Stadium.
Ola Aina put the visitors in front after converting Neco Williams’ left cross and Anthony Elanga doubled their lead early in the second period after robbing Keane Lewis-Potter and finishing well.
The win moves Forest into third, although Arsenal can reclaim that spot with a draw at Crystal Palace in the teatime game.
Kudus scores points for the Hammers
West Ham and Brighton were held to a 1-1 draw at the London Stadium with Mohamed Quds canceling Mats Wiefer’s opener.
Wieffer put the Seagulls ahead after 51 minutes, driving home from the edge of the box after the Hammers failed to clear a corner.
But Kudus leveled matters seven minutes later, nodding over the line after Bart Verbruggen parried Jarrod Bowen’s shot.
The lunch game he saw Aston Villa heap more misery on Pep Guardiola and Manchester City with a 2-1 win.
John Duran and Morgan Rodgers scored for the home side with Phil Foden repeating with a late consolation.
