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

Life could hardly be much better for Newcastle fans right now.

The Magpies are on a club record-equalling nine-match winning run in all competitions, they have one of the hottest strikers in world football at their disposal in Alexander Isak, and they are back in the top four of the Premier League for the first time since September.

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

Their latest triumph lifts Eddie Howe’s side three points above champions Manchester City and nine behind Premier League leaders Liverpool – albeit having played a game more.

And when asked if Newcastle were now in the Premier League title race, former Newcastle and England striker Alan Shearer was adamant they were.

“No, it’s not,” Shearer told Match of the Day when asked if the Reds’ advantage was insurmountable. “The form that they [Newcastle] are in, the way they are looking – they are defensively solid, keeping clean sheets. There is no doubt that they have got the system working.

“And with [Alexander Isak] up front, you’ve got a chance.”

Arsenal have overcome the biggest points gap to win 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 latter was after 23 games, but they went on to finish four points ahead of Newcastle.

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

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

“Their story keeps building.”