Newcastle vs Nottingham Forest Report

Scorers: Miley 23’, Murphy 25’, Isak 33’ (P), 34’; Hudson-Odoi 6’, Milenkovic 63’, Yates 90’

Newcastle United secured a pulsating 4-3 victory over high-flying Nottingham Forest at St. James’ Park, with Alexander Isak marking his name in the record books by becoming the seventh-fastest player in Premier League history to reach 50 goals.

The Swedish striker netted twice in an electric first-half comeback, helping Eddie Howe’s men climb to fifth in the table and stay in the hunt for UEFA Champions League football.

Hudson-Odoi Stunner Gives Forest Early Lead

Nottingham Forest wasted no time making an impact, and it was Callum Hudson-Odoi—returning from injury—who stunned the home crowd just seven minutes in.

The winger capitalised on a loose touch from Jacob Murphy before unleashing a precise low strike from distance that evaded Nick Pope’s reach, putting the visitors ahead.

Forest have been the league’s quickest starters, having now broken the deadlock 20 times this season. However, the only occasion they had previously failed to win after scoring first was in the reverse fixture against Newcastle—a worrying omen for Nuno Espírito Santo’s side.

Newcastle’s Rapid Response Turns the Game on Its Head

Despite the early setback, Newcastle dominated possession and responded emphatically. Their equaliser arrived in the 23rd minute when teenager Lewis Miley, making his first Premier League start of the season, pounced on a loose ball from a set-piece to sweep home from inside the box.

Forest barely had time to recover before Newcastle struck again just two minutes later. Isak’s clever backheel released Lewis Hall on the left, and his heavily deflected cross looped over Matz Sels, allowing Murphy to tap in from close range.

The pressure continued to mount on the visitors, and VAR intervened in the 32nd minute when Ola Aina was adjudged to have handled the ball inside the area.

Following a lengthy review, a penalty was awarded, and Isak stepped up to convert, firing his effort high down the middle. Sels got a hand to it but couldn’t keep it out, as both he and the ball ended up in the net.

Just moments later, Newcastle struck again with a devastating counter-attack. Isak was once again at the heart of the move, and his shot took a wicked deflection off Murillo before nestling in the net, making it 4-1 and leaving Forest shell-shocked.

Forest Fight Back in Second Half but Fall Short

Newcastle could have added to their lead early in the second half, with Fabian Schär striking the post from a looping header, while Murphy was denied a second goal by a close-range save from Sels. However, despite trailing by three goals, Forest showed signs of life after the break.

Anthony Elanga miscued a volley from a promising position before Nikola Milenković pulled one back in the 64th minute with an instinctive flick past Pope.

Sensing an opportunity, Forest continued to apply pressure, and with full-time approaching, they clawed another goal back when Ryan Yates capitalised on Schär’s goalline block to set up a grandstand finish.

Despite the late scare, Newcastle held on to secure a crucial three points, ending a run of three defeats in their last four league matches.

What This Means for Both Teams

• Newcastle United: This thrilling victory moves Eddie Howe’s men up to fifth in the Premier League table, just three points behind third-placed Nottingham Forest. Isak’s form will be a massive boost as they continue their push for a top-four finish and Champions League qualification.
• Nottingham Forest: A spirited late fightback wasn’t enough to undo the damage from a disastrous 11-minute spell in the first half. This defeat means Forest miss the chance to extend their gap over the chasing pack, but they remain in a strong position near the top of the table.

Final Thoughts

This was a game that encapsulated the unpredictability and excitement of the Premier League. Newcastle’s first-half blitz was breathtaking, but Forest’s performance in the second half and their late surge ensured a tense finale.

With Isak hitting his 50th Premier League goal in record time, the Magpies will be full of confidence as they look to push for a return to Europe’s elite competition. Forest, meanwhile, will need to regroup quickly to ensure their recent strong form doesn’t unravel.

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Newcastle v Nottm Forest, 2024/25 | Premier League