Newcastle took all three points and took a big step towards a top-four finish when Alexander Isak’s brace gave the Magpies a 2-1 win over Nottingham Forest at the City Ground on Friday.
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The win puts Newcastle (47 points – 5th place) just a point behind Tottenham in 4th place, with a game in hand (and a head-to-head to come, on April 23). Nottingham Forest (26 points), meanwhile, remain in 13th place and just two points above the relegation zone with 11 games to go.
It was all Newcastle early on as Renan Lodi nearly put the ball into his own net as the Magpies executed a clever set piece almost flawlessly in the 12th minute but they failed to break through and had to pay just before the half hour mark .
Newcastle defender Sven Botman played a blind ball to Forest’s Emmanuel Dennis when the Nigeria international intercepted the back pass intended for goalkeeper Nick Pope. Dennis initially couldn’t put a shot away, but he eventually found a narrow window through which he floated the ball over Pope and just ahead of Botman’s head for the opening goal.
It lasted nearly 47 minutes but Newcastle finally got their just reward for all their attacking intent. Somehow, Isak got a foot into Joe Willock’s cross, which Isak found but fell uncomfortably behind the Sweden striker, angling him from the inside of the far post as the final seconds of first-half injury time ticked by.
WATCH THE FULL MATCH REPLAY OF NOTTINGHAM FOREST VS NEWCASTLE
The scoreboard was 2-1 for Newcastle for almost four minutes when an extensive video review was conducted in the 64th minute. Elliot Anderson appeared to have given the Magpies the lead after heading home an Isak cross, but Sean Longstaff was ruled offside as the ball peed around the penalty spot was in front of the cross.
As in the first half, Isak struck again in added time after his header ricocheted off Moussa Niakhate’s arm in the penalty area. Newcastle’s club record holder kicked in at the penalty spot, sending Keylor Navas one way and hammering the ball the other.
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stars of the show
Photo: FotMob.com
What’s next?
Next time in the Premier League, Newcastle will host third-placed Manchester United (50 points) on Sunday (11:30am ET) and have a chance to level on points with the Red Devils and perhaps skip Spurs should results go well . Nottingham Forest will be back at the City Ground on Saturday (10am ET) to host 13th-placed Wolves (27 points).
How to watch Nottingham Forest vs Newcastle live stream link and start time
Kick-off: 4 p.m. ET, Friday TV Channel: USA Network On-line: Stream via NBCSports.com
Major storylines and star players
Forest have only kept one clean sheet since the February calendar change and that was against Leeds United, who were eventually challenged. Forest boss Steve Cooper would normally look to Brennan Johnson but the forward is a questionable for the match. Chris Wood and Taiwo Awoniyi are also missing. Can Emmanuel Dennis take the lead if needed?
Newcastle scored another goal from Miguel Almiron to beat Wolves and Eddie Howe is hoping it marks the start of another hot period for the Paraguayan. Meanwhile, it’s all about Bruno Guimaraes in midfield and Sven Botman in defence. But can Nick Pope overcome his possessiveness? The incredible shotstopper has been garnering gaffes for the past month or so.
Nottingham Forest team news, injuries, line-up options
OUT: Taiwo Awoniyi (groin), Chris Wood (hamstring), Scott McKenna (hamstring), Willy Boly (hamstring), Dean Henderson (hamstring), Giulian Biancone (knee), Omar Richards (calf) | DOUBT: Brennan Johnson (groin), Cheickou Kouyate (hamstring), Wayne Hennessey (knee)
Newcastle team news, injuries, line-up options
AUS: Joelinton (suspension), Anthony Gordon (ankle), Emil Krafth (knee), Ryan Fraser (unknown)
