Alexander Isak hit a hat-trick and Jacob Murphy the other as Newcastle United beat the Blues 4-0 to inflict Town’s heaviest home defeat under Kieran McKenna. The Swedish international put the visitors in front in the opening 25 seconds, VAR overruling an offside against Murphy in the build-up, before the former England U21 international made in 2-0 on 32, then Isak added his second and Newcastle’s third in first-half injury time and completed his hat-trick nine minutes after the restart.

Aside from the return of Sammie Szmodics, who missed the 2-1 win at Wolves last week as he was ill, for suspended number nine Liam Delap, it was the same side which lined up at Molineux. On the bench, Jacob Greaves came in for Luke Woolfenden.

Newcastle also made one change from the team which beat Leicester 4-0 last week and Brentford 3-1 in the Carabao Cup, both at St James’ Park, with midfielder Joelinton suspended. Joe Willock started in the Brazilian’s place.

The visitors had the ball in the net inside the first 25 seconds via the game’s first attack Murphy was sent away down the right and the former Norwich man’s cross was cut out by Morsy but only as far as Isak, who slammed home as he broke into the area.

Assistant referee Natalie Aspinall immediately raised her flag with Murphy having appeared well offside.

However, after a lengthy VAR check for the offside and also a potential handball, it was ruled that Cameron Burgess had played Murphy onside and the goal - the Magpies’ fastest ever away in the Premier League - stood, much to the frustration of the Town players - who had clearly been anticipating a flag before it came - and the delight of the away fans in the Cobbold Stand.

Having got their noses in front and with rain now falling heavily, the Magpies put the Blues under further pressure, Sandro Tonali shooting not too far over from just outside the area in the 10th minute.

But Szmodics had already made some impact on the left, then on 12 Omari Hutchinson struck an effort against a defender on the edge of the box, before Leif Davis, born in Newcastle and Magpies fan growing up, sent the ball back in from the left and Lewis Hall and Conor Chaplin clashed heads.

Newcastle should have gone two in front in the 14th minute when Murphy, who had had free rein down the right in the opening minutes, stood up a cross towards the far post but Anthony Gordon headed down into the ground and over the bar. It was a fortunate escape for the Blues.

Town started to see more of the ball and in the 20th minute Jens Cajuste turned away from Tino Livramento and took it on into the left of the area before shooting not too far over.

Moments later, Chaplin cleverly played Szmodics in on goal but keeper Martin Dubravka was quickly off his line to block.

The Blues kept the visitors pinned in their half for the next few minutes but without threatening Dubravka’s goal further.

On 23, Newcastle broke away after Town had lost possession but Morsy threw himself in to block as Murphy looked to shoot having been fed by skipper Bruno Guimaraes.

With the rain now falling even more heavily, the Magpies had another big opportunity in the 25th minute, Murphy finding Isak on the left of the area but the Swedish international striker tamely lifted the ball into Aro Muric’s arms when he will feel he should have been celebrating his and his side’s second goal of the afternoon.

But seven minutes later, the visitors were two goals in front. Gordon was found on the left of the box and was forced inside as he looked for space to shoot. Having been unable to get in an effort himself, he moved it on to Murphy on the right of the area and the wideman slammed past Muric and into the net off the underside of the bar.

As the game approached the 35-minute mark, Chaplin underwent treatment and the rest of the Town team went to the sidelines for instruction from manager Kieran McKenna and his staff with the Northern Irishman having his work cut out to get his team back into the match at this stage.

In the 42nd minute, Newcastle again broke quickly having gained possession on halfway and Isak curled a shot towards Muric’s left corner but the keeper was able to get across to save and claim at the second attempt.

As the half moved into four additional minutes, Szmodics, who scored against Newcastle for Blackburn in the FA Cup last season, picked up a pass from Cajuste and broke into the area on the left but shot over.

Seconds later, it was 3-0, the Magpies profiting from Town making a mess of playing it out from the back. Morsy passed back to Muric, who played it forward to Cajuste, who was dispossessed around 10 yards from his own goal by Guimaraes, who fed Isak, who won’t have an easy opportunity to score in his career, beating Muric to his left.

There was still time for Newcastle to have another chance before the break, Gordon sliding in and diverting the ball wide at the left post from a looping cross.

At the whistle, there were muted boos after the Blues’ worst defensive half of the season so far against perhaps the sharpest attack.

The offside decision on the first goal looked very, very tight, indeed most anticipated the assistant’s flag being upheld by VAR. However, the ball really ought to have been cleared from there by Morsy.

Town had had a spell where they had kept possession and created a couple of chances at 1-0, they had never really looked like causing the visitors’ defence too many problems.

But Newcastle had looked like scoring every time they attacked and probably should have added to their goals before they scored their second, while the third was a gift.

With the game already lost barring a miracle, Town made a change ahead of the second half, Ali Al-Hamadi replacing Hutchinson, who had had a very quiet half, with Szmodics moving to the left having given the Newcastle centre-halves little trouble in the first period.

Five minutes after the restart, the Iraqi international briefly found himself played in in space on the right of the area but turned into traffic and eventually his shot was blocked.

Newcastle went close to a fourth in the 52nd minute, Hall crossing from the left and Guimaraes stooping to head but diverting the ball the wrong side of the post.

But two minutes later, it was 4-0 as Isak completed his first Magpies hat-trick. Newcastle built from the back before Burgess’s interception reached Murphy, who twisted and turned his way into the right of the box before deftly back-heeling a pass to Isak, who took a touch before stabbing into the corner of the net and celebrating with the away fans in the opposite corner.

The Magpies, who were in complete control, went looking for a fifth and on 57 Willock went round outside of Clarke on the left and into the area but shot over, requiring treatment having done so.

Town made a double change in the 62nd minute, Jack Taylor and Kalvin Phillips, making his first appearance since the Leicester game at the start of November, taking over from Chaplin and Cajuste.

A minute later, Gordon was found in space on the left, took the ball on but his shot was too close to Muric.

Town were next to threaten, Wes Burns taking the ball on on the right before hitting a cross-shot which flew beyond his teammates and past Dubrava’s post with the keeper unruffled.

Newcastle made a triple change in the 63rd minute, Sean Longstaff, Kieran Trippier and Harvey Barnes replacing Murphy, who despite Isak’s hat-trick had been the visitors’ outstanding player, Livramento and Willock.

On 65, there was further misery for the Blues with skipper Morsy picking up his fifth booking of the season for a shove in the back of Guimaraes, a challenge which didn’t look particularly worthy of a card in itself. Morsy, who had gone nine games without a yellow card, now misses the trip to Arsenal on Friday.

Sub Barnes volleyed well over following a corner on 67 as the Magpies continued to take the game to Town and look for further goals. On 73, Miguel Almiron took over from hat-trick hero Isak, who had taken his season’s tally to 11 and his Premier League total for 2024 to 23.

With 13 minutes left on the clock, with Blue Action keeping singing away in the corner of the Cobbold Stand, Al-Hamadi was booked for a frustrated foul on Guimaraes, another of the Magpies’ impressive performers.

Town switched Burns and Szmodics for Ben Johnson and Nathan Broadhead in the 78th minute, the Wales international forcing a save from Dubravka almost immediately, hitting a low shot to the keeper’s left that the Slovak international palmed away. Two minutes later, Guimaraes was swapped for Lewis Miley.

Newcastle played out the rest of the game in comfort, prodding and probing for a fifth but without the intensity of earlier in the match, while Broadhead added some direct running for the Blues but without creating an opportunity from which Town might have pulled a goal back.

In the third minute of injury time, Dan Burn tapped the ball home from close range having been found by Longstaff after the Blues had failed to clear a Barnes cut-back from the right. The assistant flagged and on this occasion VAR upheld the decision.

That was the last action of a game comprehensively won by the visitors with the result never really in question once VAR had overturned the offside in the build-up to the first goal.

A chastening afternoon for Town, who have only previously been beaten 4-0 under McKenna once, at Leeds a year ago on Monday. The Blues have been competitive in most of their games since promotion, but were never completely able to handle the pace of Murphy, Isak and Gordon whenever Newcastle regained possession and could have been more than three goals behind at the break.

The second half was the predictable period with a side already three-up at the break, the visitors, who are up to seventh, netting once more through Isak, while the Blues huffed and puffed but never showed any sign of getting back into the game.

Despite that, McKenna and his men were applauded by their support as they made their way round the pitch at the whistle.

Coincidentally, Isak’s hat-trick is the first by an opposition player since Kevin Nolan netted three in another 4-0 Newcastle victory over the Blues, then managed by Roy Keane, in September 2009.

Town, who remain 18th having missed a chance to climb out of the bottom three with Leicester hosting Wolves on Sunday, now have two more tough games before 2024 draws to a close, at Arsenal two days after Christmas and then Chelsea at Portman Road, where the Blues are now without a win in nine, on December 30th.

Town: Muric, H Clarke, O'Shea, Burgess, Davis, Cajuste (Phillips 62), Morsy (c), Burns, Chaplin (Taylor 62), Hutchinson (Al-Hamadi 46), Szmodics. Unused: Walton, Johnson, Townsend, Greaves, Broadhead, J Clarke.

Newcastle: Dubravka, Livramento (Trippier 63), Schar, Burn, Hall, Guimaraes (c) (Miley 80), Tonali, Willock (Barnes 63), Murphy (Longstaff 63), Isak (Almiron 72), Gordon. Unused: Vlachodimos, Targett, Osula, Kelly. Referee: Stuart Attwell (Warwickshire). VAR: John Brooks. Att: 29,774 (Newcastle: 2,991).

Photo: Matchday Images

robinsonj added 23:03 - Dec 21 I’ve never made a comment on our team selection before, but six of our starters today were starters in league one and it was obvious today the premier league is way above their ability, add a keeper who too often makes school boy errors and you end up not for the first time this year totally out classed. Learn the lessons and move on.
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Dissboyitfc added 23:08 - Dec 21 Lee James it’s not just a single mistake though is it! It’s virtually every game.The 3rd goal just before halftime killed any however small hopes there was of salvaging something. People are not pathetic for feeling frustrated with Muric, although to suggest Km doesn’t care is quite frankly pathetic! Back in the day things were different, keepers were only there to keep the ball out of the net, now they have bigger roles. Big Bart was our player of the season 2/3 seasons on the bounce, another one not comfortable with the ball at his feet, he’s was great for us but would struggle and indeed did struggle when the ball was at his feet. We got what we deserved today, just not good enough!

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GiveusaWave added 23:57 - Dec 21 Firstly...really great that we got promoted 2 years on the bounce. Credit to everyone at the club.... Secondly...the Muric question. Obviously he wasn't with us during those good times so it's very easy to point the finger. Many Burnley fans also believed that he was a major reason for their relegation....I see it differently. I think he's being asked to play GK in a way that's not natural to him. Hladky and Walton are both used to playing it out from the back and are highly successful at doing it. Muric isn't and has been caught out on multiple occasions...sometimes leading to goals. That's going to clearly impact his confidence. Hladky was flying when he was with us...I still don't understand why he left. Muric does need to spend some time getting used to the way we play...and massive chants of "dodgy keeper" aren't going to help him gel. Really feel Walton should get his chance. Thirdly...we do need to reinforce in Jan if we intend to try to stay up. I'd be tempted to put in an offer for Downes (he's been good in a poor Southampton team). The guy from Boro (striker). Will probably need even more than that....

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Westy added 01:41 - Dec 22 Newcastle dominant but if we are to survive more important that we beat the teams around us. Incredibly, if Wolves win at Leicester, we will still only be two points from safety. Although the third goal came about because we lost possession playing out from the back, generally I thought we did that well but then misplaced passes in midfield. Lack of threat in the last third and not enough options for the player in possession - it really did seem that Newcastle had more players on the pitch than us.

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warwickblue added 01:51 - Dec 22 Concentrating solely on Muric's inability to play out from the back is missing the point. He has also made catastrophic errors with positioning, failing to come off his line, coming too far off his line, not anticipating attackers' movements, not anticipating defenders' movements and, yes, just giving the ball away. Surely give Walton a run out in the next game or two?

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warwickblue added 01:51 - Dec 22 Concentrating solely on Muric's inability to play out from the back is missing the point. He has also made catastrophic errors with positioning, failing to come off his line, coming too far off his line, not anticipating attackers' movements, not anticipating defenders' movements and, yes, just giving the ball away. Surely give Walton a run out in the next game or two?

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Cadiar added 02:02 - Dec 22 This was the worst I have seen tactically from KM. So much damage down our left side because Leif was too far up the pitch. This has happened a few times too many also since Axel has been injured HC really isn't good enough at this level. No one to play up front due to some crazy referee so we were very lightweight. Worried now about Arsenal & Chelsea⁹
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PhuketPete added 02:23 - Dec 22 One Muric error but the game was already lost thanks to earlier errors by those in front of him. So to me primary focus is more on how to stop teams cutting down our sides (all our opponents and across into the channels/MF. Harry and Leif were left wanting yesterday. Was it Leif’s weakest game so far? I daresay he’s told to push up but he was nowhere for their first when CamB was also 5 yards behind DoS and HC playing Murphy onside? That said I won’t criticise anyone in particular. They all tried hard but it just didn’t happen as we were outclassed by a top 6 side. We need to accept and learn. Including our setup and tactics. games. Tough with injuries and a suspension but….. Anyway the pressure is off at Arsenal. Sam gets a well earned rest. Liam is back and Omari is rested. KP and Ben fit again. Then in Jan we get George and Axel back and hopefully 2-3 in on loan or whatever (from Europe?). Then from Feb it’s the really big survival games I believe it’s still on for us. COYB I’d have started Ali at 9 but it wouldnt have made much difference with so little service. I’d also much prefer Omari on the right and if not Ben. Wes wasn’t too bad but they’re wingers so much better. Good point someone made about bringing Sam off-after their 4th to reat him for Arsenal and avoid his fifth card - too late now.

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Dissboyitfc added 07:50 - Dec 22 Warwick blue, exactly the point! his speed of thought and decision making are way off the standards required for the premier league! And though we were way off it yesterday and non of them that started the game can claim to have played well, Muric is the ( constant)weak link and it needs addressing. As for giveusawaves post, Walton isnt really comfortable with the ball at his feet, Walton should have kept the shirt after the Liverpool game, Muric should have waited for his time! And no supporters should be slating our players whilst on the pitch, doesnt and wont help!

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littlestoneblue added 09:33 - Dec 22 ONE WORD IF NOTHING POSITIVE HAPPENS IN THE WINDOW WE ARE DOWN, we need to spend big money during the window to build up a team that's capable of a mid-table finish, You could have taken 5 players out of Newcastle's and they would still be far too strong for us, I can see how the yo-yo effect of promotion and relegation from the Championship happens, you cant get relegated and hope to build a strong team and get promoted again, the quality players will not play championship games unless we have an open cheque book like the top six teams who can spend absolute billions on players to maintain their status in the top league of which we haven't as this will break the FFP rules, we have about 5 players that can hold their own in the premiership, the rest are not, and until the premiership change this FFP rule to limit equally and only allow a certain amount to be spent on players like 150 million limit then this will always affect the teams getting promoted from the championship as fodder for the big boys, this vast spending has to stop period and let others compete otherwise teams will spend over the amount and get in serious trouble financially and ruin.

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dirtydingusmagee added 10:35 - Dec 22 Its not just about Murik ,if we put Walton in,i think we will be no better off,what then, Slicker ?Town are just not at Prem level at this time, Weve not really strengthed the squad, and should have thanked some of the lads for past two years,and brought in prem experience,imo.But as ive said before we arent down yet. And lets hope we can just get over the line Coyb

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legoman added 10:53 - Dec 22 Men against boys is unfair. Tall men verses little men more accurate.
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Rimsy added 11:24 - Dec 22 Awful display. I've said from the start, with the way Leif plays, we've got to play 5 at the back, just getting too exposed against good players. Muric is useless, got to replace him pronto. A solid defence and good keeper would at least give us a chance. The thing is, we've got the players at the club to make these changes so give it a go.
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brittaniaman added 11:39 - Dec 22 Arsenal thrashed Palace yesterday because God was with them as Jesus scored a hat trick !!!!! Let us all hope he is not with them next Friday ????? COYB.
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Linkboy13 added 12:02 - Dec 22 You can dress it up how you like no matter what formation we play or who we select the players are just not good enough for Premier league with one or two exceptions. When signing players not only must they be good enough they have to be physically up to it which obviously a lot of our squad are not. Let's be realistic the chances of us staying up are very slim but lessons will be learned i hope.

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Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 12:48 - Dec 22 We were well beaten, no point in trying to hide it. It looked like a decent Championship side vs a very good PL team. But credit to the players for not giving up. Same can't be said for the crowd, who (apart from a small section) didn't encourage when we were down. I thought we were supposed to be something special in supporting our team. Must do better!
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TimmyH added 13:25 - Dec 22 Maybe at home we're trying to play too expansive and haven't the players to do that particularly on the transition when we lose the ball (which happened many times yesterday)...Davis was caught a number of times upfield with Murphy and co. acres to run into. I really feel we have to be a bit more savvy out play always seems to be a bit frantic.
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blueboy1981 added 13:43 - Dec 22 When will people realise that Players play to the Manager / Coaches Instruction/s ? - i.e. across, and out from the Back. Many players do not like it, and can’t do it successfully ! - just ask a certain Goalkeeper ! - no name need mentioning.
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Razor added 13:51 - Dec 22 I will mention the M word----it was not just one mistake yesterday----the guy does not interact with the defence and he was continually giving hospital balls to his defence and what happenned was sadly inenitable would leave to know our defenders views on playing in front of him. He gave Gordon a free header by not commanding his box as he just stood there------basic goalkeeping which he is not capable of. If Kmc plays him Friday heaven help us.

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DerryfromBury added 15:03 - Dec 22 Where is the plan B. Keep doing the same things week in and week out and expecting a different result, I don't think so. With regards to Muric, he's only doing what the manager ask of him, its been clear from almost day one he's not comfortable with that system, what surprises me is, why when its as obvious as it was yesterday the guys themselves don't change things. Whilst disappointing, games against teams the like of Newcastle aren't going to determine our future in the Prem come 25th May.

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warktheline added 15:04 - Dec 22 I don’t like criticising players but the goalkeeper has been a massive liability and mistake, it happens, and when I see Clarke in a back three, or whatever formation, I shudder! The lad is totally committed but isn’t up to this level or even a top 6 championship contender! There’s a couple of others, McKenna is fully aware and will know that the next window is going to be crucial!….in no shape or form can anyone point the finger at the manager, and we will see in time, just how good he really is as he journeys through his career!

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tractorboybig added 16:01 - Dec 22 warktheline davis is the poorest left back in this div, Muric makes so many unforced errors and poor decisions how can any back four have any confidence, surely the problem is the man making that choice of selection.
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TimmyH added 16:11 - Dec 22 Agree with warktheline...Harry Clarke is out of his depth at this level, he struggled in the Championship so why play him now? and Davis as talented as he is going forwards struggles at this level with his defensive duties - he was picked out by the MOTD 'experts' last night for being caught out too many times up field but has he been ordered to do this by McK? At times the defence and midfield playing in unison looks out of kilter, just saw Southampton get a draw at Fulham and they looked better regarding this...

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blueboy1981 added 19:29 - Dec 22 Don’t put all the blame of failure on the Players, they have little choice but to play to Instructions, that includes playing in less than best and familiar roles and positions ! Of course, not in their interest to reveal such - but it happens ! And this is almost certainly some of what we are seeing, make no mistake. Playing across and out from the back is the New Trend, but needs perfection and a high level perfection, otherwise potentially result suicide. Even the very best can struggle with it, lesser confident players, and you can time and again spot the nervousness that lead to costly mistakes ! All of which we continuously suffer from, and it shows !! Who can deny that - we don’t have the level required of players to effectively implement such a system. I actually feel for many of our players, whom too much is being expected of. The Premiership is a different animal - as Newcastle proved, maybe Aresenal and Chelsea, etc; will further prove my point. Not every Horse however good, is a Race Winner at the highest level !

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warktheline added 21:36 - Dec 22 The premier is a different animal, one which the club was propelled into in the span of no time whatsoever! It’s a huge leap, do people think that we were going to attract the best of the best players to join? It’s a difficult task, unfortunately some bounce from one opinion one week to another the next based on whether we win or not!…why would people in authority be looking at McKenna as the problem…that would only occur if they were like the minority of people on here expecting win after win, week after week!

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