Isak’s return to form creates danger for West Ham

Adrian Clarke looks at key tactical points and players who could be decisive in Matchweek 12.

Player analysis: Alexander Isak (Newcastle United)

Alexander Isak heads into Monday night’s game at home to West Ham United in form, having scored five goals in his last six games for club and country.

The Swede unusually failed to score in five of his first six Premier League games of the season, but strikes against Chelsea, Arsenal and Nottingham Forest in successive outings have ignited his campaign.

Isak’s recent return to the scoresheet feels like bad news for West Ham, who have lost their last two away games by an aggregate score of 7-1.

Isak enjoys facing West Ham

West Ham’s players will be well aware of Isak’s qualities anyway. The Newcastle forward has scored in each of his three games against them, including two goals in both of last season’s meetings.

Isak’s second goal at West Ham

No player has ever scored more goals in three consecutive games against West Ham before, so Isak has the chance to make a little piece of history.

What has been different this season?

So many of Isak’s goals for Eddie Howe’s side in 2022/23 and 2023/24 came from counter-attacks or through plays that utilized his brilliant movement and pace.

Goals from fixed breaks 2023/24

Player	Goals from set breaks
Alexander Isak (NY)	5
Ollie Watkins (AVL)	4
Jarrod Bowen (WHU)	4
Mohamed Salah (LIV)	3
Chris Wood (NFO)	3

What should West Ham watch out for?

One of Isak’s strengths is his ability to maneuver himself on the goal side of his markers, without going offside.

For a striker who plays off the last man’s shoulder as often as he does, the Swede has only been flagged offside five times this season.

Many of Isak’s strikes come from moments where he cleverly scores with a clear run towards the goal.

We saw that when he nipped in front of Reece James to convert Lewis Hall’s cross at Chelsea.

A goal against Chelsea at home last season reflects Isak’s intuition when it comes to testing the offside line.

Knowing Marc Cucurella was playing on him, he resisted the temptation to duck before receiving Lewis Miley’s pass.

West Ham also suffered from Isak’s astute positioning in last season’s game at the London Stadium.

Taking up a position at the edge of the goal by his marker, he was well placed to slot home when a home defender knocked the ball down.

Whether from set-plays or on the counter-attack, Isak occupies superb positions that allow him to see along the line.

If he drifts into these areas on Monday night, Julen Lopetegui’s side could be in trouble.

How does his home record stack up?

Isak is consistently excellent in home games.

He has been directly involved in 18 goals in his last 17 Premier League starts at St James’ Park (16 goals, 2 assists) in a run that began with a brace at home to Aston Villa on the opening weekend of the 2023/24 season . .

He is fourth for home goals scored in that period, registering one every 91.1 minutes – albeit with five of his 16 goals coming from the penalty spot.

Many other forwards enjoy more touches in the box (6.5 per 90) and shots (3.6 per 90) than Isak in home games, but he is lethal when the chances come his way.

His shot conversion rate since the start of 2023/24 stands at 27.1 per cent, placing him seventh among Premier League players who have scored five goals or more.

Isak in PL home games since 23/24

Per 90	Total	PL rank
Goal	16	4
Expected goals	15	4
Min./goal	91.1	4
Shot	3.6	15
Shot on target	2.3	4
Touches in op. box	6.5	24

Isak is always dangerous from quick breaks and through plays at St James’ Park and rest assured he will always be looking to run over the West Ham defence.

When running towards goal in open space, there are very few attackers more skilled than Newcastle’s top scorer.

With a strong home record and a habit of hurting West Ham, there’s every chance Isak on song will be the Magpies’ main man in the final game of Matchweek 12.