Not too many Newcastle United strikers would come off the pitch after taking their tally to 23 for the season with four games to spare not enitrely satisfied.

But there was something nagging Alexander Isak as he made his way down the tunnel following the 5-1 win over Sheffield United. It wasn't the fact that he is being constantly linked with the likes of Arsenal and Barcelona, far from it, it was simply that he did not have the match ball nestled under his arm.

Isak said after the game: "I was thinking I want a hat-trick. I haven't had one yet! Many of my penalties have been here at home. I tried to stay calm and focus on the moment. But Europe is still alive. We have to focus on ourselves and we will see how it goes."

READ MORE: Newcastle United 5-1 Sheffield United: Magpies go goal crazy and stay on road to Europe

READ MORE: Newcastle 5-1 Sheffield Utd player ratings: Isak takes man of the match and three others score high

In reaching 23 as a seasonal club tally for Newcastle, Isak has matched Dwight Gayle's efforts of the 2016/17 campaign although that was in the Sky Bet Championship. Isak has beaten Alan Shearer's top scorer tally of 22 in the 2003/04 season.

But we are talking greatness in terms of numbers with Isak's current tally with four games left as good as Shearer's 23 in 2001/02, and 1999/2000 and two short of Big Al's 25 in 1996/97. With four games to go that is one accolade he could claim.

Long-term, Isak, described as many as the best since Shearer, has a long way to go (until 206!) but at least finds himself on 33 goals for the Magpies overall. Given Isak's 19 goal Premier League tally is the best in the top-flight since Shearer in 2003/04 he is on the right road.

Isak's two goals against Sheff United took him to 29 in total in the Premier League. In only his second season he finds himself level with Demba Ba and Gary Speed but at the weekend he eased past Craig Bellamy (27) and Obafemi Martins (28).

Eddie Howe was left purring after the game as Isak's double spearheaded the 5-1 win. Howe said: "I think we should just enjoy his performances, how he's playing at the moment. He's full of confidence, he looks physically in a really good place and I just think it's a great thing to watch him play currently."

That Isak is just one goal behind the might Erling Haaland in the Premier League top scorer's chart should say it all.