Newcastle United 3-0 Wolverhampton Wanderers: Alexander Isak scores again as Magpies equal club record

Howe’s team were 12th in the table in early December but began the game knowing that victory would lift them into the Champions League places after a four-month absence.

Though not at their fluent best in the first half Newcastle created the vast majority of the chances – but needed a slice of good fortune to get their noses in front, Isak’s shot striking Ait-Nouri before curling inside Sa’s right-hand post.

The 25-year-old is the fourth player to score in eight consecutive Premier League games – after Ruud van Nistelrooy, Daniel Sturridge and Jamie Vardy, who scored in a record 11 consecutive league matches in Leicester’s 2015-16 title-winning season.

Sandro Tonali – such an integral cog in the Magpies’ recent resurgence – controlled the tempo for the home side in another superb display and could have had a goal himself, but his shot on the stroke of half-time was deflected wide by team-mate Joelinton.

The hosts were relieved to see Strand Larsen’s shot brush the outside of the post moments earlier, but they continued to dominate proceedings in the second half and deservedly doubled their advantage not long after the interval.

Guimaraes was the architect, cutting inside from the right before threading an inch-perfect ball into the unmarked Isak, who controlled the pass with his first touch before sliding a shot past Sa with his second.

There was to be no hat-trick but the 25-year-old was heavily involved in Newcastle’s third of the evening, showing tremendous composure to pick out Gordon after his initial delivery was deflected back into his path.

Goalkeeper Dubravka, celebrating his 36th birthday, marked the occasion with a sensational late save at the feet of Strand Larsen, deflecting the Norway striker’s shot against the woodwork as the home side completed their first league double over Wolves in 119 years.