23 February 2025
Newcastle 4 Nott’m Forest 3
The fixture list threw up another mouthwatering clash as two teams vying for those coveted Champions League places faced off. Nottingham Forest were the visitors to St James’ Park, having surprised everyone but their manager with their form this season. Nobody would have predicted a team who have been embroiled in relegation battles in previous seasons to be in the top four.
Add to that, Nuno Espirito Santo’s side are the only team this season to beat league leaders Liverpool. Even having the audacity to beat them at fortress Anfield. Opposing fans are just waiting to see Forest drop off and miss out on the prize every Premier League team craves, playing in Europe’s elite competition.
Forest however do not seem to be rattled by the thought of doing the unthinkable. Having won the European Cup twice under Brian Clough, their mindset seems to be that of a team who feel they are meant to be competing in the trophy that gave the club some of their most memorable nights. Their manager has really got his team looking the part this season.
The game got off to the worst possible start for The Magpies as Murphy gave the ball away in a dangerous area. It was worked to Hudson-Odoi, who passed it into the bottom corner to silence the home fans at St James’ Park. This would prove to be the ultimate test now for Eddie Howe’s side as they needed to turn this game around against one of the form teams this season.
With the electric atmosphere spurring them on, The Magpies started to put Forest under some intense pressure. Livramento got the to the byline and squared it to the back post looking for Gordon. The winger threw himself at the ball but just could not get a telling touch to send it goalwards. The visitors needed to address how easily Newcastle opened them up if they wanted to protect their lead.
Moments later, as the visitors struggled to clear their lines. Miley received the ball with his back to goal. The youngster spun and shot in one movement to catch out Sels to draw his side level. St James’ Park erupted as the ball hit the back of the net. Suddenly, the tempo changed as Forest tried to weather the Newcastle onslaught.
The Magpies were piling the pressure on and Hall drove into the box before knocking a pass across goal for Murphy to tap it in. Howe’s side had turned this game on its head and the visitors just could not live with them. The hosts were proving relentless as they turned the contest into a game of attack versus defence, with Forest helpless to turn the tide.
As the hosts tried a shot from distance, it seemed to strike the arm of Aina as he blocked it. The referee waved away their appeals but was soon sent to the monitor after a VAR review. After further inspection of the replays, he decided that it was not in a natural position and pointed to the spot as the stadium erupted like they had already scored.
Isak stepped up to take it and looked to try a cheeky chip down the centre of the goal. He caught Sels off guard and he was unable to adjust his body quickly enough to keep it out. The Magpies were in full flow now and the game seemed to be slipping away from Nuno Espirito Santo’s side. St James’ Park is a tough place to come when the hosts are in this sort of mood.
Howe’s side were brimming with confidence as Forest struggled to cope with their movement into the channels and pace. The visitors were stretched once again as it was crossed into Isak, who calmly slotted past Sels to surely put this game to bed. After such a positive start, Nuno Espirito Santo’s side were looking like they were going to be on the end of a humbling defeat.
With just over half an hour played, The Magpies were scoring goals for fun. Nottingham Forest looked punch-drunk from the constant pressure they were being put under. After the interval, the hosts almost added another as Schar headed towards goal, only to see his effort come crashing back off the post. So close to punishing Forest's lacklustre defending further.
The visitors started throwing caution to the wind, looking to stage a mammoth comeback. As a deep cross was played into the back post, Elanga ghosted in to meet it on the volley but could not keep his effort down, despite having an empty goal to aim for. It seemed to sum up the day for Forest, nothing was coming off for them now.
Forest forced a corner, which seemed to be overhit until Wood hooked it back towards goal. Milenkovic could not believe his luck as he headed in from a yard out to give his side a glimmer of hope in this game. It seemed to knock the wind out of Newcastle, who suddenly could not get out of their own half as the visitors threw everything at them.
The Magpies were struggling to deal with Forest at set pieces. Murillo had a completely free header in the middle of the goal but somehow sent it wide of the target. It was a massive chance wasted for the visitors, just when they needed it most. Their manager looked like he was ready to explode on the touchline, not at all happy with his side’s display.
Elanga swung another corner in, which the hosts failed to deal with. As an initial shot was blocked on the line, it dropped to Yates who turned it home in the final minute of normal time to make this a very nervy finish for The Magpies. Howe’s side managed to hold on to take all three points but Forest really made them work for it in the second-half.
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