April saw the official run-in for the Premier League begin (if it hadn’t already), as we saw the title race, battle for Europe and relegation battles all taking shape. With most sides having something to fight for, it led to some surprising results which have given some teams a make-or-break moment for their campaign.

This months NextGoalWinner player of the month winner is a back to back award recipient, which only a select few players have achieved. This player has been a spearhead of the attack for his side as they battled for European places. With his efforts allowing his team to become favourites for some European competition next season, the rumours have already begun over his future as he attracts attention from the elite sides in England and around Europe.

Alexander Isak has continued his incredible run of form from March into April as he has helped Newcastle go from accepting a 7th-10th placed finish to now pushing for Europa League qualification. With the final placings for Europe to be determined after the FA Cup final, it’s now incredibly likely that Newcastle will be in Europe again next season. Isak’s 5 goals in 5 games has helped Newcastle to 3 wins and 1 draw in their 5 games throughout April, and as mentioned, give them a huge boost for European qualification. With an impressive season which has seen most of his teammates struggle through injury, Isak is having the best scoring season of his career so far, with 23 goals in 36 appearances.

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Match By Match

April 2nd: Newcastle United 1-1 Everton – Starting off the month, Isak took just 15 minutes to get off the mark in this game as he brought his scoring from the West Ham win into the new month. Although the goal couldn’t make the difference in the end as Calvert-Lewin equalised from the spot late on, Isak put in a solid display as Newcastle dominated for large periods. With his 1 goal, he also achieved 100% shot accuracy from his 3 efforts, but couldn’t quite convert into a second to get the 3 points for his side.

April 6th: Fulham 0-1 Newcastle United – Getting back on the winning wagon, Isak had one of his quieter games in the win away at Fulham, managing just a 7.3/10 FotMob rating due to failing to get involved on the scoresheet. He did achieve 100% shot accuracy and 92% pass accuracy, but it didn’t matter too much in the end as Bruno Guimaraes made the difference going into the closing stages. With a decent showing but putting a blank into the month in terms of goals for Isak, the result came before the performance for Newcastle.

April 13th: Newcastle United 4-0 Tottenham Hotspur – Having failed to get on the scoresheet against Fulham, Isak more than made up for it as he bagged the first of an eventual 2 braces this month, as Newcastle made a mockery of Champions League contenders Tottenham Hotspur. Isak found the back of the net on the 30th and 51st minute to add the 1st and 3rd goals in a fantastic victory for the home team. With teammate Anthony Gordon getting a goal and 2 assists, Isak was denied a man of the match performance, however he did achieve a 9.0/10 FotMob rating for his efforts in his second best performance of the month. With 2 goals from his 6 shots, he also achieved 100% aerial duels won for his efforts as Newcastle enjoyed another rout against Tottenham.

April 24th: Crystal Palace 2-0 Newcastle United – With the only mark on Newcastle’s impressive month being the loss to Crystal Palace, and with the second blank on the month for Isak, this was the worst outing for Newcastle and Isak in the month. Having failed to get on the scoresheet, it was his opposite number #14 in Mateta who took the limelight with his brace, while Isak struggled to get involved. Having only 1 shot which was blocked in the game, he struggled to get involved as he had done previously, but it’s one of the only disappointments of what had otherwise been a great month for the Swedish striker.

April 27th: Newcastle United 5-1 Sheffield United – Rounding off the impressive month for Isak and Newcastle, they put the midweek defeat away at Crystal Palace aside to get back to winning ways, dominating Sheffield United 5-1 which saw the confirmation of relegation for the visitors. Isak had a big influence in this display as he hit his second brace of the month with goals coming in the 26th and 61st minute. Bringing his total to 5 goals in 5 games for the month, he confirmed himself as player of the month with a 9.1/10 FotMob man of the match performance as he also managed 100% dribble success as a key stat from this outing.