Alexander Isak reveals Newcastle United’s half-time team talk after superb comeback

Isak and Joelinton were on target in a 2-1 win over Brentford this afternoon. Thomas Frank’s side had led at the half-time break thanks to a penalty from former Newcastle striker Ivan Toney, but Howe’s side were a different team after the interval.

Isak told Premier League Productions: “It was a tough game. This is a tough place to come to.

“They’ve been unbeaten here for a very long time. It was a tough task – and we felt that in the first half. But we turned it around with different energy. We’re happy with the three points.

Asked what was said at the half-time interval, Isak said: “We talked about looking forward – and leaving the first half behind.

“We all knew it was not good enough. He made two good substitutions. Callum Wilson and Anthony Gordon gave us good energy – and changed the game for us.”

Toney scored from a penalty conceded by Isak for a foul on Rico Henry. The United striker said: "It felt like a 50-50 situation where I tried to kick the ball, and he dives into me. It all went pretty quick. I didn’t see him coming."

Wilson, left out of the starting XI despite scoring two goals in the 5-1 midweek win over West Ham United, set up Isak for his eighth goal of the season.

"It was important for the team and for me,” said Isak, signed last summer for £60million. “I felt I had not come into the game yet. Callum came in good, and it was unselfish of him – and a good finish for me.

“We’re all doing well, and contributing. I’m happy to be part of this. Every game’s important. We know it’ll not be easy, but we’re in good form – and we need to keep going."

Up to now, Howe hasn’t started Isak and Wilson together.

Newcastle’s head coach said: "I think they can play together in the right circumstances for the team.

“We don’t want to force it, and the team suffers. We want it to be to the benefit of the team. Today was the right time, and they caused them no end of problems.