Alan Shearer names the three 'world-class' forwards in the Premier League

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The visitors understandably came from behind to secure a 3-1 victory over a struggling Southampton side at St Mary's on Saturday afternoon.

The Magpies received a early fright as Jan Bednarek put Southampton ahead after just ten minutes, but Isak equalised for the Magpies by scoring from the penalty spot midway through the first half.

Isak scored his brace just four minutes later, seeing the ball sail past Alex McCarthy to rack up his 17th top-flight goal and seal a 2-1 victory for his side on the South Coast.

Sandro Tonali sent the guests packing with a third goal in the second half, as Newcastle United earned a vital victory to rebound from their defeat against Bournemouth the previous week.

The result meant that Newcastle stayed level with fourth-positioned Manchester City in the Premier League table, whilst champions Manchester City overcome Chelsea later in the day.

‘Let's discuss Isak. Absolutely fantastic display, isn't he?' said ex-Newcastle striker Alan Shearer, the Premier League's all-time goal-scoring record holder, on BBC's Match of the Day.

‘Absolutely fantastic play to win that penalty from Isak, I've never seen him do anything as clever as that in a match before.’

‘He’s in an offside position, but observe what he’s doing – watch him come to the point where the pass is made, and then he’s not offside any further.’

Joe Aribo cuts through the opposition, winning the ball back and using his strength to create a clear opportunity. The defender is left with no choice but to commit a foul, awarding Joe Aribo a penalty.

On Isak’s penalty, Shearer said: "He's got a rather intriguing technique."

He gazes at the goalkeeper only moments before he comes into contact with the ball and subsequently places it into the corner of the net.

‘From another perspective, you see him glance at the goalkeeper and then, in a flash, he's on the ball, lifting his head to glance at the goalkeeper once more just before reaching it.’

‘He spots him on the other side of the pitch and plays a short pass to that area.’

Shearer believes that Isak should now be mentioned alongside Manchester City's Erling Haaland and Liverpool's Mohamed Salah as the only real 'world-class' strikers in the league.

‘I believe we have three leading strikers in the Premier League at the moment,’ he went on to say.

‘Haaland is one to name, Salah is another, and I think Isak has arguably earned a place alongside them now.’

Players such as Danny Murphy and Gary Lineker have conceded that Isak made a fantastic start to the season; however, they are of the opinion that the Swede has further development in store for him before being regarded as a truly elite international footballer.

‘I genuinely believe he's got all the makings of a world-class player, but to label him as such, I think he needs to demonstrate his consistency for a longer period,’ ex Liverpool and England midfielder Murphy said.

Lineker chimed in, 'I completely agree with that suggestion.'

‘I think he undeniably has the skills; there's absolutely no doubt about that.’

Just after the match ended, Newcastle's team boss Howe indicated Isak was earning the praise he had worked hard for in training sessions.

‘He’s been exceptional this year’, Howe said.

‘He’s consistently been a top performer for us since his arrival and that has certainly done a lot for his confidence, isn’t it?’

‘His general air of confidence when he steps onto the pitch appears to be very high at the moment, and that’s not a straightforward given – you have to work hard to achieve and maintain such confidence through rigorous training.’

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