Newcastle beat Nottm Forest in Premier League
Isak (2), Murphy & Miley all score as Magpies hit four in 11 first-half minutes to blow Forest away
Milenkovic & Yates gave Reds late hope but hosts held on
Result moves Newcastle up to fifth, while Forest stay third
FT: Newcastle 4-3 Nottingham Forest
Seven goals and an epic finish. Not a bad start to Sunday. Your move Manchester City vs Liverpool.
You can also check out Alex Brotherton's report on this game at the top of this page.
That's all from me. Thanks again for all your interactions, they always make me laugh!
Newcastle 4-3 Nottingham Forest
Newcastle boss Eddie Howe speaking to BBC Match of the Day: "I have to remind myself that we won the game and ultimately that's the most important thing. First half we were brilliant, outstanding, second half was a tough watch. But we got over the line and that's the main thing."
How were you able to score four goals in 11 first-half minutes?: "I thought we played well all first half, conceded against the run of play, disappointed with the goal conceded but what a response. We played with intensity and fluidity and I was really pleased. The disappointing thing was we couldn't continue that in the second half."
What happened in the second half?: "I don't know whether it was because we were protecting the lead and that subconsciously affects our performance, but for me it's a case of watching it back and highlighting the areas we need to get better."
Just waiting for Eddie Howe to speak to BBC Match of the Day, and then we'll wrap this live text up.
FT: Newcastle 4-3 Nottingham Forest
Newcastle manager Eddie Howe to Sky Sports: "Great to win. You have to remember that at the end. Crazy game, but that's why we love it I suppose.
"Two sides of us. The first half was excellent. A great response to going down. The second half was equally bad really. We struggled to get to grips with the momentum when it turned against us.
"At our best we're free-flowing, an attacking team, dynamic. You saw the best of us in the second half.
"My brain goes to the second half. We weren't perfect. The defending of set-plays and crosses into the box, we've usually been quite good at that over the years. On a snap reaction, that's what I'll say.
"A really good performance from Lewis [Miley]. He finished his goal really well. He can be really pleased, he's been developing really well.
"It's a feeling we have to remember. It feels like we lost the game, but we won the game and got points over Nottingham Forest."
FT: Newcastle 4-3 Nottingham Forest
Nottingham Forest manager Nuno Espirito Santo to BBC Match of the Day: "First half Newcastle were better. Second half, us better. And the goals proved that. There is no explination [to the first half] we have to wait and see.
"It was a big gap to to try and recover from. The reaction was very good. We gave it our all and we created a lot of chances against Newcastle and believed we could win the game.
"The reaction was good, I think the team was more recognisable. We played good and were positive going forward. This pleased me the most.
"I wish it was 10 minutes [added on] to get [the equaliser]. We were in a good moment."
What is this season's aim?: "To compete. It's the same approach, day by day. A lot to improve for the next one."
FT: Newcastle 4-3 Nottingham Forest
That's pretty much what Nuno Espirito Santo has just told Match of the Day, Harrison.
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First Half was shambles but second half made up for it, unfortunate we couldn’t get a late equaliser but it is what it is.
Harrison
Newcastle 4-3 Nottingham Forest
Newcastle manager Eddie Howe speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live: "I am trying to control my thoughts and stay positive. We have won the game and that is what we needed to do. I thought it was a great performance in the first half and we were everything we weren't at Manchester City. We didn't manage the game well but overall we are happy with the win.
"It was always a difficult game and when they took the early lead you know you have an big task. I thought we were great with the ball ad looked dynamic but then a couple of frailties showed in terms of defending set plays. When you win win and you have things to improve, that is a good start point. That's what I'll take away from today.
"We can reflect on that 45 minutes and there are things that we can do better. We pride ourselves on doing better and getting the details right."
On Alexander Isak reaching 50 Premier League goals: "It is huge and when he plays like he did in the first half he is massive for us. He showed his pace and the timing of the run was excellent. Big player."
FT: Newcastle 4-3 Nottingham Forest
A rare result where the winners feel like they've lost and the losers feel like they've won?
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Question to angry Forest fans: who really comes out of this game better? Newcastle looked awful in the second half. Forest will be galvanised to improve next week and were top in the second half. As a Forest fan it's a disappointment but a second half I'm immensely proud of.
Sam (definitely not angry Forest fan)
FT: Newcastle 4-3 Nottingham Forest
Nottingham Forest manager Nuno Espirito Santo to Sky Sports: "First half, clearly Newcastle better. Second half was better but unfortunately not enough. Too bad, too soon.
"It's about trying to settle down, calm down and try to be ourselves. In the first half I didn't recognise our team. In the second half we were much better.
"I don't know, this is what I'm going to work on now. This is a game which is good to reflect on.
"We made mistakes. Newcastle made mistakes also. But it was two totally different halves. We started well, we scored, and they just rolled over us.
"There was nothing else in the first half about us. Every time Newcastle had the ball they scored.
"I wish there was 10 minutes added on. We needed that time. We were on top, Newcastle were on the ropes. With 10 minutes I think we can get something from this game."
FT: Newcastle 4-3 Nottingham Forest
Newcastle midfielder Lewis Miley: "I'd describe it as a hectic game. We played really well in the first half and put ourselves under pressure in the second. I'm really glad we've got the win. We're pushing for Europe now."
On scoring: "It's a really proud moment for my boyhood club. It was such an important moment to score."
On Alexander Isak's penalty: As soon as I saw the keeper stay I though "oh no, he going to save it".
"It's ridiculous really. It's a privilege to play with a player like that. It's great to get tips off him.
"We were under pressure a bit and it was quite scrappy in the second half. But at least we got the win.
"We all want to be in the Champions League. That's where we want to get to as a team.
"It's a really big win and this is a step forward. We need to go on now and keep looking forward."
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Never has a win made me so unbelievably angry. Unforgivable second half performance. Players need to take a long look at themselves. Eddie too.
Simon, Newcastle fan
FT: Newcastle 4-3 Nottingham Forest
Newcastle striker Alexander Isak speaking to Sky Sports: "It was a brilliant first half, the reaction after conceding was really good. We dropped a bit second half and conceded sloppy goals. I'm obviously happy to win the game."
On his far from convincing penalty: "No, I already made my mind up I was going to go down the middle. It counts so it doesn't matter.
"The most important thing was to win. We want to win more comfortably, but it was a big win."
Image source, Getty ImagesFT: Newcastle 4-3 Nottingham Forest
Alexander Isak has been speaking to the media. He said the most important thing was the win.
FT: Newcastle 4-3 Nottingham Forest
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Pleased we won but today shows we've got no chance in the cup final. Either Liverpool batter us, or we take the lead, retreat timidly into our shells, and Liverpool come back and batter us.
Matthew in Newcastle
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The perfect words for this game; a game of two halves
Sulaimon
FT: Newcastle 4-3 Nottingham Forest
Pat Nevin
Former Scotland winger on BBC Radio 5 Live
They survived. Newcastle hung on.
If you had said to me at half-time if I would be saying that sentence then I wouldn't have believed you.
Newcastle were superb for large parts of the first half but they disappeared in the second half.
I think Forest deserved a draw.
Image source, Reuters
Image source, ReutersNewcastle 4-3 Nottingham Forest
That's it! Newcastle get over the line, just.
Alexander Isak has scored six goals in four Premier League games against Nottingham Forest
Alexander Isak scored his 50th Premier League goal as a rampant first-half performance from Newcastle United helped them beat Nottingham Forest at St James' Park.
Forest took an early lead through Callum Hudson-Odoi before Newcastle grabbed control of the game with four goals in 11 frantic first-half minutes to go in 4-1 up at half-time.
Lewis Miley and Jacob Murphy scored in quick succession to stun Forest, before Isak struck twice in the space of two minutes.
Isak's second - his 19th goal of the season - saw him reach the 50-goal mark in just 76 Premier League appearances, quicker than all-but six players in the competition's history.
Nikola Milenkovic took advantage of a defensive lapse to pull a goal back for Forest, before substitute Ryan Yates set up a nervy finish with a close-range goal following a corner in the 90th minute.
But Newcastle held on for a victory that moves them up to fifth in the table, which will likely be enough to qualify for the Champions League, and puts them within three points of Forest in third.
How Newcastle's freedom of play blew Forest away
Neither side had really settled when Hudson-Odoi stole the ball off Jacob Murphy following a throw-in, drove forward and caught Nick Pope off guard with a curling strike into the bottom corner.
Eddie Howe's Newcastle side immediately looked to right that wrong, with Anthony Gordon unfortunate not to convert on the stretch as Tino Livramento's teasing cross fizzed across the face of goal.
The 18-year-old Miley, making his first league start in 365 days, provided the equaliser a few minutes later when he rifled a low shot past Matz Sels after Forest failed to clear from a free-kick.
Murphy then atoned for his earlier error by bundling the ball across the goal-line after Lewis Hall's attempted squared pass was deflected goalward by Murillo.
Forest's situation worsened when Ola Aina handled Hall's cross inside the penalty area, with referee Jarred Gillett pointing to the spot after consulting the pitchside monitor.
Isak just about beat Sels with his spot-kick down the middle, though the Belgian goalkeeper may feel disappointed not to have saves it having stood tall.
The Newcastle striker compounded a torrid 11 minute-spell for Forest as he ran through on goal and finished past Sels, albeit with a slight deflection off Murillo.
Forest struggled to deal with set-pieces all afternoon and came close to conceding a fifth early in the second half when Fabian Schar's header from another wicked Hall delivery hit the top of the post.
However, the home side took their foot off the gas in the second-half and were left hanging on for a nervy victory.
Milenkovic flicked Chris Wood's header past Pope following a corner, before Yates converted from another set-piece to leave the home crowd cursing their side's loss of focus.
'Not the way' Newcastle wanted to win - Howe on game of two halves against Forest
Newcastle really needed a win to boost their hopes of a top-five finish and arrest a slide that was threatening to derail their season.
Howe's side came into the game with three league defeats in four, and risked losing three consecutive home games in the Premier League for the first time since 2021.
Instead of falling nine points behind Forest, they closed the gap to three.
While Isak stole the headlines, Newcastle's youngsters Hall and Miley - who came in for Tonali - impressed.
"The way Lewis Miley glides on the pitch, there are few that can do that. He is an international in waiting and has the world at his feet," former Chelsea midfielder Pat Nevin said on BBC Radio 5 Live.
"I'm really happy to get a goal for my boyhood club, at the Gallowgate End. I couldn't be happier," Miley said.
'No explanation' - Nuno on Newcastle's four goals in 11 minutes
Forest's march towards Europe has been one of the stories of the season, but they might now be starting to look nervously over their shoulder.
A third defeat in four Premier League games marks a stark downturn in results, given that Nuno Espirito Santo's side won seven of the previous eight.
Forest fought back valiantly in the second half, but ultimately their first-half collapse cost them.
"Second half was better but unfortunately not enough. Too bad, too soon," Espirito Santo said.
"It's about trying to settle down, calm down and try to be ourselves. In the first half I didn't recognise our team. In the second half we were much better.
"I wish there was 10 minutes added on. We needed that time. We were on top, Newcastle were on the ropes. With 10 minutes I think we can get something from this game."
After the opportunity to rate players has closed, the score displayed represents the average from all the submissions by BBC Sport users.
| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 27 | 19 | 7 | 1 | 64 | 26 | 38 | 64 |
| |
| 26 | 15 | 8 | 3 | 51 | 23 | 28 | 53 |
| |
| 26 | 14 | 5 | 7 | 44 | 33 | 11 | 47 |
| |
| 26 | 13 | 5 | 8 | 52 | 37 | 15 | 44 |
| |
| 26 | 13 | 5 | 8 | 46 | 36 | 10 | 44 |
| |
| 26 | 12 | 7 | 7 | 44 | 30 | 14 | 43 |
| |
| 26 | 12 | 7 | 7 | 48 | 36 | 12 | 43 |
| |
| 27 | 11 | 9 | 7 | 39 | 41 | -2 | 42 |
| |
| 26 | 10 | 10 | 6 | 42 | 38 | 4 | 40 |
| |
| 26 | 10 | 9 | 7 | 38 | 35 | 3 | 39 |
| |
| 26 | 11 | 4 | 11 | 47 | 42 | 5 | 37 |
| |
| 26 | 10 | 3 | 13 | 53 | 38 | 15 | 33 |
| |
| 26 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 31 | 32 | -1 | 33 |
| |
| 26 | 7 | 10 | 9 | 29 | 33 | -4 | 31 |
| |
| 26 | 8 | 6 | 12 | 30 | 37 | -7 | 30 |
| |
| 26 | 8 | 6 | 12 | 30 | 47 | -17 | 30 |
| |
| 26 | 6 | 4 | 16 | 36 | 54 | -18 | 22 |
| |
| 26 | 3 | 8 | 15 | 24 | 54 | -30 | 17 |
| |
| 26 | 4 | 5 | 17 | 25 | 59 | -34 | 17 |
| |
| 26 | 2 | 3 | 21 | 19 | 61 | -42 | 9 |
|
Manager: Eddie Howe
Formation: 4 - 3 - 3
Manager: Nuno Espírito Santo
Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1
Manager: Eddie Howe
Formation: 4 - 3 - 3
Manager: Nuno Espírito Santo
Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1
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Newcastle have lost just one of their 13 Premier League meetings with Nottingham Forest (W9 D3), though that defeat did come in this exact fixture last season (1-3).
Nottingham Forest won this exact fixture 3-1 last season, ending a run of seven consecutive league defeats at St James’ Park. They last won consecutive visits to Newcastle in August 1987/October 1988.
Newcastle United have lost three of their last four Premier League matches (W1), more than in their previous 12 combined (W8 D2 L2). The Magpies haven’t lost more than two league games in a row since December/January in 2023-24 (four).
Nottingham Forest have lost their last two away Premier League matches, having won their previous four away games beforehand. Forest are looking to avoid losing three in a row for the first time since December 2023 under former manager Steve Cooper.
Newcastle have lost their last two Premier League games at St James’ Park, last losing three in a row at home back in January/February 2021 under Steve Bruce. Manager Eddie Howe hasn’t lost three consecutive league matches on home soil since November/December 2019 as Bournemouth boss.
Nottingham Forest have netted the opening goal in more Premier League games than any other side in 2024-25 (19). However, when they’ve gone 1-0 down they have lost five out of six games, coming back to win the other 2-1 against Aston Villa in December.
Nottingham Forest sit third in the Premier League, although they have faced more shots (342) than they’d had themselves (318). On record since 2003-04, only two sides have finished in the top-four positions when they’ve had a negative differential between shots taken and faced – Everton in 2004-05 (faced 142 more) and Spurs in 2021-22 (faced 1 more).
Although he has gone two Premier League games without a goal, Newcastle forward Alexander Isak has scored in all three of his games against Nottingham Forest (four goals). Five Magpies players have scored in four in a row against an opponent, most recently Callum Wilson versus Spurs between 2020 and 2023.
Chris Wood has scored 29 Premier League goals in 41 appearances under Nuno Espirito Santo for Nottingham Forest. Among all players to have 50+ shots while playing for a manager on record since 2003-04, Wood under Nuno has the best shot conversion rate (35%, 29 goals from 83 shots).
Nottingham Forest’s Morgan Gibbs-White has been involved in nine goals in his last 11 Premier League appearances (4 goals, 5 assists). Meanwhile, since the start of last season only three Englishmen have more assists than he does (15).
