‘Alexander Isak is in red-hot form’ – but are Newcastle United in the Premier League title race?

Life could hardly be much better for Newcastle fans at the moment.

The Magpies have won a club record nine games in all competitions, they have one of the best strikers in the world at their disposal in Alexander Isak, and they are back in the Premier League’s top four for the first time. time since September.

In-form Isak became the first Newcastle player to score in eight consecutive Premier League games in Wednesday’s comfortable win over Wolves. He scored either side of half-time before teeing up Anthony Gordon for the Magpies’ third of the night.

Their latest victory puts Eddie Howe’s side three points above champions Manchester City and nine points behind Premier League leaders Liverpool, even though they have played a game more.

“No, it’s not,” former Newcastle and England striker Alan Shearer told Match of the Day when asked if the Reds’ advantage was insurmountable. “The shape they have [Newcastle] are, what they look like: they are solid defensively and keep the clean sheets. There is no doubt that they got the system working.

“And with [Alexander Isak] You have a chance at the front.”

Arsenal overcame the biggest points gap by winning the Premier League title, in 1997-98. At the end of December they were 13 points behind Manchester United, albeit with a game in hand.

Manchester United overcame 12-point deficits in 1992-93 and 1995-96. The last was after 23 games, but ultimately finished four points ahead of Newcastle.

The Red Devils have also overcome a 10-point lead on three occasions, while Manchester City did the same to Liverpool in 2018/19 by winning 18 of their last 19 games.

“Newcastle is getting better and better,” former Arsenal defender Martin Keown told TNT Sports. “They can’t stop scoring goals and Isak is great.

“Their story continues to grow.”