Newcastle United secured a thrilling 4-3 victory over Nottingham Forest in an electrifying clash at St James’ Park.
The Magpies overcame an early setback, scoring four goals in just 11 minutes, before a spirited second-half comeback from Forest nearly saw them snatch a point.
Newcastle’s First-Half Goal Blitz
- Callum Hudson-Odoi opened the scoring for Forest in the early minutes, finishing off a well-worked move.
- Newcastle responded emphatically, starting with Lewis Miley’s composed finish through a crowded penalty area.
- Jacob Murphy atoned for his defensive error, tapping in from close range to give Newcastle the lead.
- Alexander Isak then stole the show, netting twice in quick succession to reach 50 Premier League goals in just 76 appearances, the seventh-fastest player in league history to hit the milestone.
Fastest Players to Reach 50 Premier League Goals
| Player | Games Taken |
|---|---|
| Erling Haaland | 48 |
| Andrew Cole | 65 |
| Alan Shearer | 66 |
| Ruud van Nistelrooy | 68 |
| Fernando Torres | 72 |
| Mohamed Salah | 72 |
| Alexander Isak | 76 |
Forest Fight Back But Fall Just Short
- Nikola Milenkovic pulled one back in the 65th minute, flicking home Chris Wood’s cross with the outside of his boot.
- Ryan Yates added a third for Forest late on, setting up a nervy finish.
- Despite heavy late pressure, Newcastle held on for a vital win, climbing into the Premier League’s top five.
Newcastle Player Ratings (4-3-3)
| Position | Player | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| GK | Nick Pope | 5.6/10 |
| RB | Tino Livramento | 7.0/10 |
| CB | Fabian Schar | 6.9/10 |
| CB | Dan Burn | 6.8/10 |
| LB | Lewis Hall | 8.2/10 |
| CM | Joe Willock | 7.6/10 |
| CM | Bruno Guimaraes (c) | 7.0/10 |
| CM | Lewis Miley | 8.2/10 |
| RW | Jacob Murphy | 7.6/10 |
| CF | Alexander Isak | 8.7/10 |
| LW | Anthony Gordon | 7.2/10 |
Substitutes:
| Player | Minute | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Sandro Tonali | 70′ (for Willock) | 6.4/10 |
| Harvey Barnes | 70′ (for Murphy) | 6.2/10 |
| Callum Wilson | 86′ (for Isak) | N/A |
Unused Subs: Dubravka (GK), Krafth, Trippier, Targett, Longstaff, Osula.
Nottingham Forest Player Ratings (4-2-3-1)
| Position | Player | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| GK | Matz Sels | 5.0/10 |
| RB | Ola Aina | 5.2/10 |
| CB | Nikola Milenkovic | 7.3/10 |
| CB | Murillo | 7.3/10 |
| LB | Neco Williams | 5.6/10 |
| CM | Nicolas Dominguez | 6.5/10 |
| CM | Elliot Anderson | 6.7/10 |
| RM | Anthony Elanga | 6.1/10 |
| AM | Morgan Gibbs-White | 6.4/10 |
| LM | Callum Hudson-Odoi | 7.6/10 |
| CF | Chris Wood | 7.4/10 |
Substitutes:
| Player | Minute | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Ibrahim Sangare | 77′ (for Yates) | 6.4/10 |
| Ryan Yates | 77′ (for Dominguez) | 7.5/10 |
Unused Subs: Hennessey (GK), Moreno, Toffolo, Morato, Jota Silva, Sosa, Awoniyi.
Newcastle Show Champions League Credentials
Despite recent heavy defeats to Bournemouth, Fulham, and Manchester City, Newcastle showed flashes of their top-four potential:
- Lewis Miley inspired the team with his early goal, getting St James’ Park roaring.
- Lewis Hall, Anthony Gordon, and Jacob Murphy were relentless on the wings.
- Isak was clinical, proving why he is among the fastest players to reach 50 Premier League goals.
- Midfield stability was an issue, with Sandro Tonali and Joelinton both missing, causing a drop in intensity in the second half.
Eddie Howe will be concerned about how quickly Newcastle lost control after their blistering first-half performance, but this win keeps them firmly in the top-four race.
Nottingham Forest Continue to Show Fighting Spirit
Forest have been one of the surprise packages this season, pushing into the Premier League’s top three:
- Chris Wood is in the form of his life, leading the line with confidence.
- Anthony Elanga, Morgan Gibbs-White, and Nikola Milenkovic have been outstanding.
- Despite a disastrous 11-minute period, Forest dominated the second half and nearly stole a point.
With Nuno Espirito Santo’s side continuing to show resilience, Champions League football is now a genuine possibility.
Player of the Match: Alexander Isak (Newcastle) 🏆
The Swedish forward was Newcastle’s most dangerous player, scoring twice to hit 50 Premier League goals.
His brilliant movement and finishing ability proved the difference, ensuring Newcastle remained in the top-four race.
