Newcastle United star leaves Zlatan Ibrahimovic in the dust as all-time Premier League record approaches

Freddie Ljungberg remains the only Swedish player in history to score more Premier League goals than Alexander Isak.

A stunning brace against Tottenham Hotspur at the weekend has many Toon fans talking up a potential Champions League finish. To do that, the Magpies must overcome a 10-point swing on Spurs, who sit fifth but must face Manchester City, Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea.

Newcastle also need English clubs to up their game in Europe and bag an extra spot via the coefficient system. They will also need Isak to continue his ruthless streak in front of goal.

The 24-year-old’s brace took his tally for the season to 21 for the season across all competitions. Isak also pulled within three goals of Man City talisman Erling Haaland in the Golden Boot race.

Micky van de Ven, one of the Premier League’s best defenders this season, was left dumbfounded - and sitting on his backside - for the striker’s opener. He then burnt the Dutchman in a foot race for his second - and Newcastle’s third - before slotting past Guglielmo Vicario.

A sensational run of form has resulted in Isak bagging 10 goals from his previous 11 top-flight fixtures. That has only fuelled transfer speculation ahead of the summer window - reports Isak downplayed.

Arsenal are understood to be expressing interest but must stump up a mouth-watering fee to make Newcastle consider selling. Ironically, former Gunners man Ljungberg remains the only Swede to boast more Premier League goals than Isak.

The brace at the weekend propelled him up to second place on 27 strikes - one ahead of former Sunderland midfielder Sebastian Larsson. Zlatan Ibrahimovic, an icon of the game, trails behind on 17, with Ljungberg out on his own with 48 from his nine years at Arsenal.