Newcastle fight back to stun Nottingham Forest

Newcastle inflicted only a second Premier League defeat on Nottingham Forest this season as a barnstorming second-half comeback earned them a 3-1 victory at the City Ground. 

Forest were aiming for a fourth straight top-flight win for the first time since 1995 – and they led at half-time. Murillo scored his first goal in senior football to give the hosts the lead as the centre-back lost Alexander Isak at Anthony Elanga’s free-kick to nod past Nick Pope (21).

It meant for the 10th time in 11 games, Forest had scored the opening goal – but this time they were unable to hold onto their advantage as Newcastle staged a spirited second-half fightback.

Isak atoned for his role in Forest’s opener as he reacted quickest to a loose ball from a corner to stroke in the equaliser (54), before a superb finish from Joelinton, curling his left-foot shot in off the post, completed the turnaround (72).

Anthony Gordon was forced off with an injury, but his replacement Harvey Barnes scored within three minutes of coming on, reversing a shot between the legs of Nikola Milenkovic to beat Matz Sels at his near post (83).

The result means Newcastle rise to eighth in the table, while Forest remain in third ahead of the second instalment of Super Sunday between Chelsea and Arsenal.

How Newcastle put out Forest fire

After five games without a win, it is now three wins on the bounce for Newcastle, who have shown their resilience under Eddie Howe this term.

They have won two of five Premier League away games in which they have conceded first this season, as many as they won after falling 1-0 behind on the road in the competition in 2022-23 and 2023-24 combined.

Forest were left to rue a poor second-half performance as boss Nuno Espirito Santo suffered the customary manager of the month curse after winning October’s gong.

The day started well for the hosts as they went ahead through Murillo. The central defender, who will head away on international duty with Brazil after receiving his first call-up, got in front of his marker from Elanga’s free-kick to glance past a helpless Pope.

Newcastle’s response was good and they pushed for an immediate leveller, with Bruno Guimaraes forcing Matz Sels into a stretching save. The Belgium goalkeeper was again called into action to keep out Dan Burn’s bundled effort at the far post.

Forest were on the back foot as half-time approached and Newcastle thought they should have had a penalty when Elanga went through the back of Joe Willock.

Newcastle started the second half on top again and Guimaraes came close with an audacious effort with the outside of his boot which went just over. The visitors’ dominance did leave them susceptible to Forest’s counter attack and Nicolas Dominguez could have made it two as he raced clear from Chris Wood’s pass but Pope saved with his feet.

And moments later, in the 54th minute, Newcastle were finally level. Gordon’s corner fell kindly to Isak who pounced to convert from close range. The game opened up and, as Forest countered again, Burn was lucky not to earn a second yellow card when he chopped down Jota Silva.

Isak blazed a volley just wide before Newcastle did go ahead in the 72nd minute from a counter attack of their own. Isak fed Joelinton and the Brazilian was given too much space to curl into the far corner from the edge of the area.

They killed the game in the 83rd minute with another goal from back to front as Barnes converted at the near post.

Forest let it slip – Opta stats

• Newcastle United have won three successive games in all competitions for the first time since October 2023, when they won four in a row.
• Nottingham Forest lost a Premier League match in which they scored first for the first time since January last season against Brentford, ending a 13-game unbeaten run when going 1-0 ahead (W8 D5).
• Newcastle have won two of the five Premier League away games in which they have conceded first this season (D1 L2), as many as they won after falling 1-0 behind on the road in the competition in 2022-23 and 2023-24 combined.

Story of the match in stats…

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