Newcastle United's Alexander Isak stressed that individual accolades are secondary to team success as his scoring streak continued against Wolves in midweek.
Isak scored twice against Vitor Pereira's side on Wednesday, taking his tally to fifteen goals in nineteen Premier League appearances, with only Erling Haaland (16) and Mohamed Salah (18) scoring more this season.
He has now scored in eight successive top-flight games, three of which fell just short of equaling Jamie Vardy's record, but the Swede said his focus remains on helping Newcastle move up the table.
“I feel great. Individually I feel free and confident, but when I look at the team we are also doing so well, defensively and with threats in the future,” Isak said.
“It's a team and I have to keep contributing with goals. If we play at our best, the players will feel free. Also in my position I want to be able to express myself as best as possible.
“Records are things you enjoy after your career. I go into every match with the same mentality: score goals because that helps the team.”
Bournemouth, meanwhile, were denied all three points in their final Premier League match, with Reece James' late free-kick seeing their encounter against Chelsea end 2-2.
Despite that disappointment, the Cherries extended their longest unbeaten streak in the top flight to nine games (W5 D4), last having a longer run at any level in October 2021 (a run of 15 in the Championship).
Antoine Semenyo praised his side's performance against Enzo Maresca's side and said the Cherries' resilience was crucial to their recent form.
“We defended for our lives and I think we should have taken three points,” Semenyo said.
“At half-time the manager wasn't happy! He got us going, we had to get our press right, and we did that from the start in the second half. That resilience and determination is how we got it.” our points this season.
“We all work for each other and that's what we're all about, we're resilient. I think we should have taken something from the home game against Chelsea, and we could have taken three points here, but we'll take the point and move on to the next.”
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Newcastle-Alexander Isak
Isak has been in good form for the Magpies this season, with his two goals against Wolves meaning he has now scored in each of his last eight Premier League games for Newcastle.
Only two players have had longer scoring streaks in the history of the competition: Jamie Vardy (11 between August-November 2015) and Ruud van Nistelrooy (10 between March-August 2003).
Bournemouth-Justin Kluivert
Kluivert has scored more penalties than any other player in the Premier League this season, with six of his seven goals coming from the spot.
Only Joshua King (twelve) has scored more top goals for the Cherries from the penalty spot than Kluivert (six).
MATCH PREDICTION: NEWCASTLE WINS
Newcastle are unbeaten in their last six Premier League matches, which start at 12.30pm on Saturday (W4 D2), having failed to win any of their previous six matches in this slot (drawing two, losing four ).
The Magpies have also won their last nine games in all competitions and the Magpies are looking to win ten games in a row for the first time in their entire history.
Howe has been in charge of all 13 Premier League meetings between Newcastle and Bournemouth. He has won just two of these thirteen games (D6 L5) and is yet to beat his former side as Magpies manager (D4 L1).
After winning their first two Premier League away games against Newcastle, Bournemouth are winless on their last four visits to St. James' Park (D2 L2).
Bournemouth have scored more goals through substitutes than any other team in the Premier League this season (11). With their combined goals and assists, substitute goal involvement was worth 17 points for the Cherries this season, also a league record.
Four of the last five Premier League meetings between Newcastle and Bournemouth have ended in draws, with the Cherries winning the other 2-0 in November 2023.
OPTA CHANCE OF WINNING
Newcastle – 55.8%
Draw – 22%
Bournemouth – 22.3%
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