Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe insisted Ipswich Town are 'a very good team' after his side thrashed the Blues 4-0 at Portman Road.

Town started the day hopeful of making it back-to-back wins for the first time this season, but a hat-trick from Alexander Isak and another from Jacob Murphy left them thoroughly outclassed on Suffolk soil.

After the match, Howe was asked if he thought Sir Bobby Robson - an icon at both clubs, who featured in the matchday programme and on the big screen before kick-off - would have enjoyed the way the game was played.

Icon Sir Bobby Robson was shown on the big screen prior to kick off (Image: Steve Waller) He replied: “I think he would have done. I think he would have enjoyed both teams’ efforts.

“I think Ipswich are a very good team, I watched a lot of them in the build-up to the game. Very competitive and I think we were helped by scoring so early today.

“I think in the second half, they showed their character, they never stopped going, they caused us problems, so I think he would have been proud of both teams’ efforts.”

The win topped a great week for the Toon, with a 4-0 win over Leicester followed by a 3-1 triumph against Brentford which has seen them into the last four of the Carabao Cup.

Howe enthused: "Absolutely delighted with the players and what they have given this week. It has been a really big week for us.

"Getting through to the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup was one of our big aims and our league form needed to improve, so brilliant to get back-to-back wins.

"We are just constantly trying to tweak things and trying to improve. There are a number of little things to upturn our form.

"Our creative play has been back to what it has always been - free scoring and looking like we can create at any time."

Alexander Isak tormented Town (Image: Steve Waller) Of Isak, who now has 10 goals in his last 11 games, Howe said: "There is no doubting his quality.

"We just needed to get the framework of the team right to give him the opportunity to score. He has really responded well.

"The goals today just show his class and coolness in front of goal. With his speed and his technical ability, he has a bit of everything."