Alexander Isak: Champions League qualification would ease cup pain for Newcastle

Sign up to Miguel Delaney’s Reading the Game newsletter sent straight to your inbox for free Sign up to Miguel’s Delaney’s free weekly newsletter Sign up to Miguel’s Delaney’s free weekly newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Alexander Isak is targeting Champions League qualification to help ease the pain of Newcastle’s Carabao Cup final defeat. “It was a massive, massive win, a big confidence boost for us and massive also for the table for the Champions League hunt.” Where the Magpies had proved toothless in attack and porous at the back in the final, they turned in a display of vigour, endeavour and potency to overwhelm a United side softened and weakened by the absence of the suspended Casemiro and injured Christian Eriksen. “But we said at half-time as long as we create chances, eventually the ball will go in if we stay positive and keep going.” Willock finally opened the scoring from point-blank range after Allan Saint-Maximin had headed Bruno Guimaraes’ cross back across goal and after De Gea had somehow turned Joelinton’s header onto the underside of the crossbar, fellow substitute Callum Wilson made sure two minutes from time. Alexander Isak Asked what message it sent to the rest of the field in the race for the top four, Isak said: “We’ve shown during the whole season what we’re capable of, so nothing special.