Alexander Isak, the last person to score a winning goal for Newcastle United in a domestic cup final since…
We won that previous match in 1955 by three goals to one, so was the winner scored by Bobby Mitchell (who got the second) or George Hannah (who wrapped it up)?
Doesn’t matter, when Alexander Isak scored, the outpouring of joy both in Wembley Stadium and beyond was like nothing I’d experienced hitherto as a supporter of Newcastle United. What a hero.
Just four short months later, the Swede had gone from hero to zero in not just my eyes, but it’s fair to wager, also in the eyes of every toon fan on the planet.
This was the same Alexander Isak who had plundered 62 goals in 109 appearances for Newcastle United, his first goal coming in August 2022 at Anfield, the place he now plies his trade after agitating for a move there last summer.
And that is what upset so many Newcastle United fans. It wasn’t necessarily the fact that Isak wanted a move away from St James’ Park, it was the fact that he effectively downed tools, went on strike if you like, and held the club to ransom.
In the current climate, where finance really matters, the Newcastle United hierarchy couldn’t let Isak rot in the reserves, his offloading seemingly inevitable although botched at the same time, with the destabilising nature of Isak’s departure more telling than the fact he left in the first place. A contributory factor to our worst season since the takeover, with its ramifications extending beyond the season’s close, the catalyst for even greater upheaval at Gallowgate this summer.
Unless he suffers a mysterious knock in training (and I wouldn’t bet against it), Alexander Isak will return to St James’ Park as a Liverpool player this Sunday. He had better have his hard hat to hand because I reckon he’s going to receive more than a few pelters.
Not from me though.
I don’t believe for one minute I’m above displaying the contempt that most of us still have for the Swede, but as with anyone that was on the park on that glorious day in March 2025 (Tonali, Guimarães), I am willing to move on because of what they achieved for Newcastle United that day. Alexander Isak did score the winning goal after all.
To be honest, I would rather expend my energy cheering the lads in black and white on Sunday than waste my breath on Alexander Isak.