HOW TO FIND WAY TO WIN AT TOON IF STAR MAN LEAVES

NEWCASTLE fans fretting about life without Alexander Isak need not despair.

- By Ian Murtagh

Because under Eddie Howe's shrewd leadership, the Magpies have done pretty well without their wantaway striker.

In fact, since the Swede arrived from Real Sociedad in August 2022, Newcastle have actually averaged more points per game without him than with him leading the attack.

As the saying goes, there are lies, damned lies and statistics and no one is pretending the Geordies are a better side when Isak is missing.

Their win percentage is 51.2 with Isak involved and 48 percent when he is not and they pose more of a goal threat when he plays.

But it is far from doom and gloom in his absence. Saturday's Premier League opener at Aston Villa proved that, as Newcastle outplayed their hosts with Anthony Gordon up front.