Eddie Howe admits even he was SURPRISED Alexander Isak took Newcastle’s winning penalty on Friday

When Kieran Trippier collected the ball and placed it on the penalty spot after Newcastle were awarded a late penalty against Nottingham Forest, even Eddie Howe was confused because Alexander Isak was their taker.

“I’d love to take credit because it was so good,” Howe said. “Kieran had the ball, so he was a bit confused, but it was great to see Alex take it so well.” That’s the hallmark of Kieran – I thought he was terrific,” Howe added.

It was yet another sign of Trippier’s leadership on the pitch and how integral he is to Newcastle’s push for a Champions League place. The Newcastle captain had 92 touches on Friday night, more than anyone else, as he bombarded up and down the flank, before taking the initiative to take responsibility for making sure Isak wasn’t affected by any of the mind games of Forest.

Even Sky Sports was fooled by Trippier’s reverse dark arts in injury time. They put a graphic on the screen showing Trippier’s previous spot kicks, but the full-back stared at Forest goalkeeper Keylor Navas, and after Navas was booked for wasting time, Trippier smiled and casually walked off.

Isak stepped up to send Navas down the wrong path and send the Newcastle fans to ecstasy.

Isak scored to send the Newcastle fans into raptures after Kieran Trippier originally picked up the ball and placed it on the spot in an attempt to distract Nottingham Forest.

As the roving army of Toon moved their celebrations from the banks of the River Trent to the city center bars, Trippier emerged from the changing rooms and spoke about how much he is enjoying his time in Newcastle.

‘We must not underestimate how big this victory is. They are a tough team and it’s not easy to get to them,” Trippier said. ‘We think we can do something special. Honestly this is one of the best groups I’ve ever been in – togetherness, no egos, a really hard working team and that comes from the manager. We are fit as a fiddle and the guys are going to give it their all,’ he added.

For Trippier, the moment of genius at the end was simply a matter of letting Newcastle’s star man concentrate on the task at hand.

‘I told Alex: ‘I’ll hold the ball and you just focus and get into the moment. Do your normal routine and I’ll take all the pressure off. I want you to be as calm as possible. Little details like that can help and he saved it,” Trippier said.

It was a sixth goal for Isak in just his seventh Premier League start for Newcastle and the Swede showed exactly why Newcastle made him their record-breaking summer signing. In too many games this season, Newcastle have been in control but couldn’t make it count with a lack of ruthlessness in the final third. But in Isak, who has kept Callum Wilson out of the starting XI in recent weeks, there is a man with that quality in front of goal. His first goal was taken magnificently and he was denied a delightful assist due to VAR.

It has been difficult for Alex (with the injuries) but he has taken a risk. The ability of him is terrifying at such a young age,” Trippier added.

Long after the final whistle was blown on Friday night, Newcastle fans were still chanting. “This is the best trip I’ve ever been on, I don’t want to go home”

Keep going the way you are going and there will be a lot of traveling around Europe next year. In the early hours of Saturday morning, Newcastle flew to Dubai for a warm-weather training camp, knowing that with 12 games remaining, his fate is entirely in his own hands. Next. Manchester United at home.

Trippier insisted that the Newcastle team believe they can do something special this season.

Eddie Howe’s side are now two points behind fourth place Tottenham with two games in hand