Newcastle United triumphed 4-3 over Nottingham Forest in a thrilling seven-goal encounter at St James' Park on Sunday afternoon, with Alexander Isak powering the victory as he reached 50 Premier League goals.
The result sees Newcastle leapfrog Aston Villa, Chelsea and Bournemouth as they move into fifth place, closing the gap on third-placed Nottingham Forest to just three points.
The first half was packed full of action, with Forest racing into an early lead thanks to Callum Hudson-Odoi's long-ranged strike, but Newcastle hit back in style, finding the net four times in 11 minutes as they bombarded Nottingham Forest's goal, giving the hosts a healthy lead and Nuno Espirito Santo a major headache heading into the break.
Newcastle produced an extremely underwhelming second half performance, almost playing as though they believed the game was already won, and that allowed Forest to take control, coming close to equalising the match as Nikola Milenkovic and Ryan Yates hit the Newcastle net, but the hosts were ultimately able to hold onto their lead and secure the victory.
SPORTS MOLE'S VERDICT
It was certainly a match of two halves for Eddie Howe's men, who were absolutely dominant after Nottingham Forest's early first-half goal, scoring four in 11 minutes as they raced into a 4-1 lead going into the break.
The energy on show throughout the opening 45 minutes was simply electric, constantly beating Forest to first and second balls, while their counter-attacking ability was simply too much for the visitors to handle.
However, the second half was back to the level that saw Newcastle face major criticism after they were humiliated 4-0 by Manchester City in their last league outing, appearing to put in little effort to battle for the ball as Forest took control.
Despite that, Newcastle were able to ride the storm and hold on to the crucial victory, a result that will certainly please the Magpies manager as they move into the European places.
NEWCASTLE UNITED VS. NOTTINGHAM FOREST HIGHLIGHTS
Callum Hudson-Odoi goal vs. Newcastle United (6th min, Newcastle United 0-1 Nottingham Forest)
Callum Hudson-Odoi TAKE A BOW! 🔥
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) February 23, 2025
What a return for the winger 👏 pic.twitter.com/PBSLPpnCyR
Nottingham Forest have taken an early lead, Hudson-Odoi curls one in from distance!
Newcastle have a throw in their own half, with the ball thrown to Jacob Murphy, and the midfielder tries to pass it back to Valentino Livramento, but Forest are able to intercept.
Hudson-Odoi picks up the ball and charges towards goal, letting one fly from distance and curling his strike into the bottom left corner to give his side an early lead.
Lewis Miley goal vs. Nottingham Forest (23rd min, Newcastle United 1-1 Nottingham Forest)
What a moment for Lewis Miley! 😍 pic.twitter.com/CDJuqWNdUD
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) February 23, 2025
Newcastle are level, Miley with a wonderful finish!
Newcastle squander the chance to score from their initial free-kick but are able to keep the ball alive, working it back for Lewis Hall to cross into the box.
Hall's cross finds Miley just inside the box, and the midfielder takes a touch with his right before firing across goal with his left, a superb finish from the youngster.
Jacob Murphy goal vs. Nottingham Forest (25th min, Newcastle United 2-1 Nottingham Forest)
Jacob Murphy sees it in!
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) February 23, 2025
What a turnaround from Newcastle 🤯 pic.twitter.com/Kaqw27zugE
Just like that, Newcastle are ahead!
Newcastle win the ball back and start a sweeping counter attack, playing the ball forward for Isak to control and brilliantly back-heel into the path of Hall.
Hall looks to cut the ball back, but a deflection kindly sends it looping towards the back post, where Murphy bundles it over the line to put the hosts ahead.
Alexander Isak goal vs. Nottingham Forest (33rd min, Newcastle United 3-1 Nottingham Forest)
Alexander Isak has arrived 😅👋 pic.twitter.com/4TqZJgoEWF
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) February 23, 2025
Newcastle make it three, Isak from the spot!
A cross from Hall is blocked by Ola Aina inside the box, sparking calls of handball from around the stadium, and after a lengthy VAR check, Newcastle are awarded the penalty.
Isak steps up and clips his penalty down the middle, with Matz Sels nearly adjusting to save, but the goalkeeper fails to push the ball away as it enters the net.
Alexander Isak goal vs. Nottingham Forest (34th min, Newcastle United 4-1 Nottingham Forest)
Alexander Isak has arrived 😅👋 pic.twitter.com/4TqZJgoEWF
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) February 23, 2025
Newcastle again! What a first half this is turning out to be!
Nick Pope shows some clever thinking to quickly Joe Willock on the counter attack, and the midfielder does fantastically to race into the Forest half.
Willock gets to the edge of the box and plays Isak in behind with a reverse pass, and the striker's left-footed strike is deflected up and over Sels and into the far corner.
Nikola Milenkovic goal vs. Newcastle United (63rd min, Newcastle United 4-2 Nottingham Forest)
Nikola Milenkovic with the creative finish ✨👨🎨 pic.twitter.com/OpwrpKIGlN
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) February 23, 2025
Milenkovic has pulled one back, clever finish from the defender!
Elliot Anderson whips in a corner for Nottingham Forest, and the ball towards the back post where Chris Wood is able to hook it back into the danger area.
Milenkovic is perfectly placed and unmarked just in front of the Newcastle goal, and the defender flicks the ball towards goal and into the back of the net.
Ryan Yates goal vs. Newcastle United (90th min, Newcastle United 4-3 Nottingham Forest)
Yates has another for Forest, is there time for an equaliser?
Newcastle fail to deal with a poor delivery from a Nottingham Forest corner, with Fabian Schar blocking the first shot off the line.
The ball drops kindly to Yates inside the box, and the midfielder calmly places his strike under Pope and into the bottom right corner to give Forest a lifeline.
MAN OF THE MATCH - ALEXANDER ISAK
© Imago
Isak has been a sensation for Newcastle since joining the club, and the striker produced another excellent performance as his brace helped the Magpies secure a narrow 4-3 victory.
Isak's brace took the striker to 50 Premier League goals in only 76 matches, a feat only six players have completed in fewer matches, while it makes him the highest-scoring Swede in the league's history.
Hall also deserves a mention for his stunning performance, contributing with an assist and producing a wonderful all-round display to help ensure all three points.
NEWCASTLE UNITED VS. NOTTINGHAM FOREST MATCH STATS
Possession: Newcastle United 57%-43% Nottingham Forest
Shots: Newcastle United 12-16 Nottingham Forest
Shots on target: Newcastle United 5-5 Nottingham Forest
Corners: Newcastle United 7-6 Nottingham Forest
Fouls: Newcastle United 11-13 Nottingham Forest
BEST STATS
7 - Since the start of last season, no player has more Premier League goals from outside the box than Callum Hudson-Odoi (seven). Range. pic.twitter.com/6FCwhGFEN6
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) February 23, 2025
Lewis Miley has scored a Premier League goal for the first time since December 2023 vs Fulham.
— Squawka Live (@Squawka_Live) February 23, 2025
Great finish! 🎯 pic.twitter.com/SlKfIfpzOI
1 - Alexander Isak is now the leading Swedish scorer in Premier League history, overtaking Freddie Ljungberg's total of 48. IKEA. https://t.co/5WzuAqIfn6
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) February 23, 2025
WHAT NEXT?
Newcastle United will now prepare for a challenging trip to Anfield to face Liverpool in the Premier League, before switching focus to their FA Cup fifth-round tie against Brighton & Hove Albion.
Nottingham Forest will face a similarly formidable matchup with Arsenal at the City Ground in the league, followed by hosting Ipswich Town in their FA Cup fifth-round clash.
Ellis Stevens
