Former Sunderland forward names 'unstoppable' Newcastle United footballer as best in the league

Former Sunderland centre forward Ally McCoist has described a Newcastle United footballer as the very best player in the Premier League at this moment in time.

McCoist, who spent three years at Roker Park between 1981 and 1983 before going on to shine for Rangers, labelled Magpies talisman Alexander Isak as simply ‘unstoppable’ when he is in full flow and claimed that he is the best around in his position.

After a slow start to the 2024/25 campaign, Isak has exploded into life with 12 goals in his last 12 games while finding the net in each of the last seven league matches in a run stretching back to a thunderous strike against Liverpool in a 3-3 draw on 4 December.

Isak has netted against the likes of Brentford, Leicester City, Ipswich (3), Aston Villa, Manchester United and kickstarted 2025 with a decisive match-winning goal in a 2-1 triumph over European hopefuls Tottenham Hotspur in North London.

McCoist, who commentated on the match for TNT Sport, said after the game: “I think [Isak] is the best out-and-out forward in the league. He will always give you something. In terms of his all-round game, Isak is unstoppable.”

McCoist is not the first to heap praise on the in-form Swedish striker after his tremendous run of form. Former Arsenal man Paul Merson described Isak as a £150m footballer and urged his former side to make a move for Isak in January to help aid their title push.

Ex-Manchester United defender Gary Neville also described Isak as the best all-round striker in the league due to his pace, dribbling qualities and ability to single handedly break down defences at times.

Alexander Isak edges closer to Newcastle United landmark

Alexander Isak was Newcastle’s leading goalscorer last season with an impressive 21 goals from 30 league games, becoming the first player to register more than 20 goals in a single season since Alan Shearer in 2003/04 while also spearheading Newcastle to their highest goalscoring season of the Premier League era.

This season, Isak is on course to repeat the feat with 13 goals in 18 matches - eight more than second best Anthony Gordon - and only five behind Golden Boot contender Mohamed Salah. Overall, Isak boasts a record of 44 goals from 70 Premier League appearances (62 of those starts), giving him a goal scoring rate of around 63%.

Isak recently leapfrogged Andy Cole to become Newcastle’s fourth highest scorer of the Premier League era and he is now just two behind third place Peter Beardsley and three behind second place Callum Wilson. However, he still has some way to go if he is to catch Alan Shearer’s 148 league goals in Black and White.