Justice reared its often veiled face at the City Ground tonight. Newcastle put in a terrific performance to take all three points in a 2-1 win at Forest. It was again a difficult task as VAR flashed its injustice but Alexander Isak was there to make sure the three points went Newcastle’s way.
The lads played in the 4-3-3 with Pope in goal behind a back four of Trippier, Schar, Botman, and Burn. The midfield consisted of Guimaraes, Longstaff, and Willock. Isak spearheaded the attack with Murphy on the right and Saint-Maximin on the left.
In the opening minutes, there was some concern with Schar. The Swiss defender was tackled from behind by Andre Ayew and looked to have picked up an ankle injury. He received treatment and was able to continue.
Newcastle created a great chance a few minutes later. Murphy did well down the right before pulling the ball back for a surging Willock in the box. The midfielder skied his shot into the stands.
In the 12th minute, Newcastle again created a golden chance. From a free-kick, Trippier passed the ball into the box to Isak. The Swede pushed forward before blasting his shot off the crossbar. Forest cleared and escaped.
The first goal would go to the hosts in the 27th minute. A ball over the top for Ayew was collected by Botman who then played a blind back pass which Emmanuel Dennis ran onto. Pope came to contest Dennis but he coolly lofted it into the open net for the 1-0 advantage.
Forest were saved by the woodwork once again in the 35th minute. Murphy got the ball from Renan Lodi down the right and tried to center the ball. It was deflected into the path of Longstaff, whose long-range shot was deflected before hitting the crossbar.
In added time, Newcastle found the leveler. Joe Willock was freed down the right by Saint-Maximin on a break. The midfielder lofted a cross into the box. A surging Isak improvised to flick the ball into the net with his trailing foot to make it 1-1 at the break.
Howe made a change on the left flank bringing Elliot Anderson on for Allan Saint-Maximin to start the second half. The Geordie started brightly winning a lost cause of a long ball into the box a few minutes before launching a volley that Keylor Navas had to palm over the bar for a corner.
Near the hour mark, Anderson timed his run brilliantly with Willock trying to connect. The youngster slipped as Navas came to collect the ball. Guimaraes then tested Navas with a blistering effort from range but the Costa Rican was able to parry the ball away.
Anderson seemingly bagged his first goal for his hometown club soon after. A pitchside review ruled that Longstaff was in an offside position in the build-up. However, Felipe played the ball in an attempted clearance which Longstaff then deflected; a scandalous decision that should linger beyond tonight.
Murphy had a chance to reclaim the advantage in the 81st minute. It again was Anderson who was pivotal for the chance. The youngster was able to center the ball for Murphy, whose snatched shot went wide.
Howe made another change in the 84th minute with Murphy being withdrawn for Matt Ritchie. A few minutes later Pope was called into action to block a low shot from Brennan Johnson on the break.
Newcastle won a penalty in added time after Moussa Niakhate’s raised arm deflected Isak’s header. It was justice for the Magpies as Isak coolly sent Navas the wrong way before planting it into the net. Newcastle got their just desserts with the 2-1 win which was in part sparked by the superb performance of Elliot Anderson.
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256 comments so far
Lee Charnley Bunga Party
Mar 18, 2023 at 9:39 AM
Comment #241On ASM ability is there to do stuff
But in reality he has had 2 good games in a season City and Wolves
He can’t play 2 games in a row at the same level infact last week he could only do 45 mins!! Then he was burst last night
You might get what 10 games out of him in a season when he is really on it is that really enough?
Toon fans bad
Mar 18, 2023 at 9:39 AM
Comment #242Woah, fishing rod’s out early doors again 😆
Munster Mag
Mar 18, 2023 at 9:41 AM
Comment #243Ledge don’t get me started on Pedro 🙂
I think he’d be an interesting addition. If isak is to be our central striker, he needs more around him, and guys to deputise when he is injured. Also guys who can play centrally and let him float around. I think a big guy like Pedro could do that.
DrGloom
Mar 18, 2023 at 9:41 AM
Comment #244Glad Botmans error didn’t come back to haunt us in the end, you could see it affected his confidence for a while afterwards and he made a couple of other unforced errors … the whole team were lifted by the goal though.. botman included – anyone else notice Bruno saying something like let’s go and f***in win it when celebrating the first goal ..
Munster Mag
Mar 18, 2023 at 9:42 AM
Comment #245Well defended TFB !!
DrGloom
Mar 18, 2023 at 9:44 AM
Comment #246Think people need to look at our bench .. Dummett , Lewis, Ritchie , Manquillo – we’ll likely be in Europe next season and none of those players are good enough for the squad
Munster Mag
Mar 18, 2023 at 9:44 AM
Comment #247Lee I’m not sure how Maxi can be ‘ Eddie Howe fit’ !
sparky55
Mar 18, 2023 at 9:46 AM
Comment #248Isaks performance last night was legendary…we’ll be talking about that performance for years to come…if he continues in that vein then fourth spot is ours.
What a performance…not just the goals…everything he did was silky smooth and skillful as fcuk.
Just brilliant!
Lee Charnley Bunga Party
Mar 18, 2023 at 9:47 AM
Comment #249@Munster
I think Pedro will still be signed the athletic did an article on him ages ago and he was one of the most aggressive pressing forwards for his age which was 20 at the time!
He can play in all 4 front positions is only 21 and has experience in England
Plus of Watford don’t go up this season you would imagine we could get him cheaper
sparky55
Mar 18, 2023 at 9:47 AM
Comment #250DR G… we have a summer window to sort that!
The Ledge
Mar 18, 2023 at 9:48 AM
Comment #251Munster ….I think that’s why Pedro will be perfect for us .
His primary position is a left sided forward but can play centrally or the right that exactly what we need.
With Isak as our main man and Wilson as backup, add a Pedro type of player, and we are sorted.
Pat Mania
Mar 18, 2023 at 9:49 AM
Comment #252Isak is the main man now. No doubt about it.
Willocks return to fitness and his brilliant form is a massive lift for the run in. Bruno is steady. His performances are still excellent but he’s set such a high bar that he looks a little off form. No doubt he’ll be at his best very soon. I’m starting to think we are going to make top 4.
DrGloom
Mar 18, 2023 at 9:49 AM
Comment #253Sparky – agreed , but we need to offload so much deadwood that I can’t see Howe selling ASM or even Lascelles given how bad our overall squad is , especially when Clarke, Hayden etc al are still on the payroll
Toon fans bad
Mar 18, 2023 at 9:59 AM
Comment #254Top 3 Toon score stats from BeeB website. Tweaked the format so hope it looks ok.
Look at Isak’s compared to Wilson’s, Mins/GL,Shots & accuracy, crikey!
GL Ass Pl GL/90 Mins/GL Shots Conversion Shot Accuracy
Miggy
11 3 32 0.41 221 40 28% 57%
Wilson
7 3 24 0.39 231 45 16% 47%
Isak
6 1 15 0.70 129 20 30% 85%
Toon fans bad
Mar 18, 2023 at 10:00 AM
Comment #255didn’t come out reet that although can be read across just about!
niafron
Mar 18, 2023 at 10:11 AM
Comment #256Bonjour Mesdames et Messieurs!
Painfull but beautifull win yesterday.
We’re back on track!