After downing the so-called lesser sides over Christmas, Newcastle United's real test of character was always going to come against the Premier League big boys in three consecutive away ties.

Manchester United at Old Trafford? Not a problem. A trip to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium? Easy. Arsenal under the Emirates' lights? Dealt with in perfect fashion. What do these trio of ties have in common? Amongst many other things they have all seen Anthony Gordon and Alexander Isak running riot and at their creative best in front of goal.

The pair were both on the scoresheet at the Emirates on Tuesday night to continue their respective fine form for Eddie Howe's side of late. For Isak, it is now 10 goals in eight consecutive games, while Gordon has found the net in the last two outings, helping himself to three assists since mid-December.

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It is not just that the pair are flat-track bullies either. Isak's record against the 'Big Six' this term stands at eight games and eight goals. For Gordon, it is now a whopping 16 goal involvements in 18 games with the same six sides since the beginning of last campaign.

Newcastle have giant-killers in their midst. Superstar names who thrive on the big occasions. Players who could walk into these sides they are taking great pleasure in slaying.

Isak was signed to much fanfare but many in Spain felt Newcastle had overpaid for a player who struggled to consistently find the net. It is telling that none of Manchester United, City, Chelsea or Liverpool were in the mix for him upon his St James' Park arrival.

Gordon was brought in with slightly more question marks around his arrival, with some on Tyneside wondering whether £45m was a reasonable figure to pay for the Everton winger. Eddie Howe, and Amanda Staveley, certainly had conviction that it was a deal that made financial sense.

£108m spent on the duo who are now worth infinitely more, with those Premier League giants looking on enviously at Newcastle's strength. It is no wonder Liverpool tested the waters for Gordon over the summer, while Arsenal fans are so keen to see their club chase an in-form Isak.

Thankfully for Newcastle, neither looks set for the exit door. Gordon's new contract has ended speculation over his future, while the player too has shut down any talk of an imminent Tyneside exit.

Isak still has three years to run on his current Newcastle deal and Champions League qualification or cup success should be more than enough to keep an already-happy player at the club long into the future.

Newcastle took a punt on both men in the early stages of the new-look, post-takeover journey and are now reaping the rewards as their Premier League rivals consistently struggle to cope with the two firing forwards.