Newcastle fans rejoice: Alexander Isak just like Obafemi Martins

Alexander Isak is the first Newcastle United player to score two goals in the Magpies' opening game of a Premier League season. The last man to do so was Obafemi Martins, who did it in 2007. And the supporters at St. James' Park showed their love for the Sweden international as Eddie Howe's team outclassed Aston Villa, beating them 5-1 on Saturday evening.

The day started perfectly for Newcastle as their new signing Sandro Tonali scored with barely five minutes on the clock. But that was just the beginning of a high-intensity encounter in the northeast of England.

Unai Emery's new speedy right winger Moussa Diaby was at the right place at the right time to steer a volley past Nick Pope and level for the Villans. The game gained momentum - but then one of the key moments of the game came. Villa's trusty defender Tyrone Mings sustained what looked like a severe knee injury and had to be stretched off by the medical staff. It's a terrible way to start the season - by emulating fellow EPL players Kevin De Bruyne and Jurrien Timber, who both sustained injuries on the opening weekend.

Cursed opening day: Timber and De Bruyne suffer bad injuries

The job was made easier for the home team. Isak scored on either side of the half-time break as Howe's machine kept grinding the visitors out, slowly suffocating any attempt of a Villa attack.

Isak came off to rapturous applause and made way for last season's top Newcastle scorer Callum Wilson, who obliged by beating Emiliano Martinez and killing the game off with around 15 minutes left.

Fellow substitute and recent signing from Leicester Harvey Barnes completed the rout with a lovely finish following one of many Newcastle's counter-attacks. Emery wasn't smiling after Pau Torres again showed he'll have to adjust to football in England following his arrival from Villarreal.

Newcastle are back in the Champions League after a 20-year absence. Their performance on the start of the 2023/23 Premier League season shows they mean business.

PREMIER LEAGUE - MATCHDAY 1

Friday

Burnley - Manchester City 0-3 (0-2)

/Haaland 4, 36, Rodri 76/

Saturday

Arsenal - Nottingham Forest 2-1 (2-0)

/Nketiah 26, Saka 32 - Awoniyi 82/

Everton - Fulham 0-1 (0-0)

/De Cordova-Reid 73/

Brighton - Luton 4-1 (1-0)

/March 36, Joao Pedro 71 pen, Adingra 85, Ferguson 90+5 - Morris 81 pen/

Sheffield United - Crystal Palace 0-1 (0-0)

/Edouard 50/

Bournemouth - West Ham 1-1 (0-0)

/Solanke 82 - Bowen 51/

Newcastle United - Aston Villa 5-1 (2-1)

/Tonali 6, Isak 16, 58, Wilson 77, Barnes 90+1 - Diaby 11/

Sunday

16:00: (2.80) Brentford (3.40) Tottenham (2.50)

18:30: (2.80) Chelsea (3.40) Liverpool (2.50)

Monday

22:00: (1.37) Man.Utd. (4.90) Wolverhampton (8.50)

***odds are subject to change***