- Forest took an early lead before the home side hit four before the break
- The visitors netted twice in the second half but couldn’t find an equaliser
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With the Saudis in town for a summit that will shape the long-term future of Newcastle United, here was a reminder that the current vintage are deserving of some more immediate support.
This was a game that showcased the strengths and vulnerabilities of Eddie Howe’s shallow squad.
They won and moved back into the Champions League places because they have world-class players such as Alexander Isak. They were nervy until the last because they don’t have enough of them.
Yasir Al-Rumayyan, PIF governor and club chairman, is here to make key decisions on stadiums and training grounds. It is the infrastructure of the playing staff worthy of equal attention.
Why? Newcastle have something special in a group that blew away Forest with four goals inside 11 minutes in the first half.
The fact Howe’s name formed the backing track to that blitz also sent a message to those in the plush seats – they have a brilliant and popular manager, too.
Alexander Isak scored twice as Newcastle beat Nottingham Forest in a thrilling match
The in-form striker bagged a brace during a first half blitz from the home side at St James’
Isak netted his first goal from the penalty spot after Ola Aina’s handball in the area
Isak netted his second a minute later as the Magpies threatened to run away with it
But after two years without a first-team addition, they need help. That much was clear as they grew tired and ragged and clung to a decreasing lead with such anxiety that team-mates Anthony Gordon and Fabian Schar looked ready to square up to each other late on. Al-Rumayyan was at the boxing in Riyadh on Saturday, but that would not have been a good look in front of the boss.
It was Forest throwing the punches by this stage. They trailed 4-1 at half-time after a first half in which they looked like they didn’t much fancy the prospect of European travel next season. Nuno Espirito Santo’s side were gifted an early lead and responded with the generosity of their defending.
But the second half was a different story and Newcastle were on the ropes throughout. Nikola Milenkovic pulled one back on 63 minutes and Ryan Yates nicked another from close range in the 90th.
In truth, Forest just ran out of time. Had there been much more than the three minutes added, you would have fancied them to complete the comeback.
That they left empty-handed was because of that first-half period in which they lost their discipline, their bearings and their minds.
Callum Hudson-Odoi fired the visitors in front when capitalising on an error by Jacob Murphy and Nick Pope’s questionable positioning to smash in from 25 yards. But rather than sit in and frustrate Newcastle, it was their own manager they drove around the bend.
Lewis Miley was afforded too much space to swipe home an equaliser on 23 minutes. Ninety seconds later and Lewis Hall was given the freedom of Forest’s half to burst into the area and his shot was deflected into the path of Murphy, who improvised to turn in with his stomach.
Then came the first of Isak’s two goals, a Panenka penalty that Matz Sels got a hand to but, with the keeper off balance, he ended up in the back of the net with the ball.
The Swede made it 19 for the season in the Premier League soon after when he clipped over Sels, albeit via a deflection, having been played in by Joe Willock.
It was a whirlwind showing of attacking force by Newcastle, but they blew cold in the extreme after the break.
While the big decisions on off-the-field projects are due, the owners should not lose sight of equally pressing matters on the pitch. This felt like a timely reminder.
