Sir Bobby Robson adored both of these clubs but, in their first Premier League meeting since his passing, it was Newcastle whose display would have made the old master’s eyes twinkle. A second four-goal victory in the space of a week suggests that, even allowing for their opposition’s failings, they are clicking into serious form. Sterner tests will come but, as advertisements for their attacking gifts go, this was enough to set Geordie mouths watering over Christmas.
In Alexander Isak they have one of the most thrilling talents around and arguably the division’s most varied finisher. It does not always click for the Swede but a hat-trick here, the first from a Newcastle player for five and a half years, was taken with the panache of a player on top of his game. Isak has scored nine in his last nine top-flight appearances; when he is on song Eddie Howe’s team rightly feel capable of anything.
