Ipswich Town learn hard defensive lessons in 4-0 Newcastle United hammering
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Newcastle United's Alexander Isak celebrates scoring their first goal before it is disallowed.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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IPSWICH – Ipswich Town boss Kieran McKenna saw his team taught some harsh lessons as their defensive errors were clinically punished by a Newcastle United side who thrashed them 4-0 at home in the English Premier League on Dec 21.
Newcastle striker Alexander Isak was gifted two goals as he grabbed a hat-trick.
McKenna’s Ipswich charges were often caught flat-footed or froze completely in the box as wingers Jacob Murphy and Anthony Gordon ran riot.
“Today we did not hit a good level. It’s difficult when they score early in the game, but we can still overcome that,” McKenna said after his side conceded 26 seconds into the game.
“Our game management was not good enough.
“We needed to stay more solid in difficult periods to give us a chance to stay in the game, we did not do that.”
Solidity was sorely lacking as Newcastle raced into a 3-0 lead by half-time and effectively ended the contest when Isak scored his third goal nine minutes into the second half.
“We’ve been playing so much better lately, and it has been showing in the results,” a delighted Isak said. “It (the hat-trick) has been a long time coming for Newcastle, my first one here, I’m buzzing.”
The 25-year-old has six goals in his last four league games.
“Just scoring goals will give confidence and help me and the team. It doesn’t matter if it’s one, two or three,” Isak added. “He (Murphy) is really helpful, a team player. I am obviously happy for him that he gets rewarded too.”
Despite his treble, Isak was also uncharacteristically wasteful as he missed a number of chances and plenty of other Newcastle players could have added to the tally as the Ipswich rearguard found themselves run ragged.
“Tough day, definitely. We were second-best,” Ipswich striker Conor Chaplin said.
“I don’t think we helped ourselves. We need to be better at game management when we are up against it, make better individual decisions to see the threat off.”
McKenna said his side would learn from their ninth league defeat in 17 games, a result that leaves them 19th on 12 points, two from safety.
“We just need to take each game as it comes. If there is anything we can take from today to make us stronger, we will. Today has not happened to us much this season,” he added.
McKenna’s opposite number Eddie Howe, meanwhile, was delighted with how his side exploited the defensive frailties of the hosts.
“Whenever you go away from home and you make that early impression, you have a chance to go on and win.
“We’ve conceded the early goal too many times, (but) today we were professional,” he said.
REUTERS
