Newcastle's Isak scores late winner at Forest

Newcastle's Alexander Isak scored a dramatic stoppage-time winner at Nottingham Forest from the penalty spot to keep their hopes of a top-four finish firmly alive.

Isak, who had earlier cancelled out Emmanuel Dennis' opener in the first half, coolly placed his spot-kick into the right corner after Moussa Niakhate was penalised for handball in the box.

In an eventful encounter, Newcastle substitute Elliot Anderson thought he had made it 2-1 when he thumped in a header at the back post, only for it to be ruled out by VAR for offside in the build-up.

Newcastle were on top for large spells and hit the crossbar twice in the first half, either side of a glorious chance fired over by Joe Willock from close range.

Forest's opener came against the run of play when Newcastle defender Sven Botman unforgivably gifted possession to Dennis, who smartly chipped it over the players standing guard on the goalline.

The visitors' pressure eventually paid off when Willock set-up Isak for a precise volley into the far corner on the stroke of half-time and the Swedish striker later delivered the winner to spark celebratory scenes in the away end in Nottingham.

The result leaves Newcastle just a point behind Tottenham in fifth - and still with a game in hand - while Forest remain two points above the relegation zone.

Newcastle's effort pays off as Forest woes continue

Newcastle were made to work hard for their victory but it was well deserved.

They had already forced Forest goalkeeper Keylor Navas into action on numerous occasions in the second half as pressure grew inside the hosts' half, while defender Serge Aurier made a goalline clearance and striker Jacob Murphy volleyed wide from close range.

Luck appeared to be on Forest's side when Anderson's goal was ruled out for offside in the build-up, but Newcastle were eventually rewarded for their endeavour as Isak stepped up again to deliver the goods.

It was the first time this season Newcastle had come from behind to win in the Premier League and it strengthens their challenge for a Champions League qualification spot.

It was also another impressive showing from Isak, who now has six goals in 10 Premier League appearances after also netting in the 2-1 win over Wolves last weekend.

Travelling supporters remained packed in the stands long after the final whistle celebrating with the players on the pitch and chanting to their success in what could prove to be a significant result.

For Forest it was another disappointing result. The danger of relegation remains and they were not a match for Newcastle on Friday evening.

They had a late chance through Brennan Johnson in the dying minutes but did not trouble goalkeeper Nick Pope anywhere near enough.

Player of the match

IsakAlexander Isak

Nottingham Forest

Squad number25Player nameDennis

Squad number12Player nameNavas

Squad number38Player nameFelipe

Squad number22Player nameYates

Squad number20Player nameJohnson

Squad number34Player nameA Ayew

Squad number24Player nameAurier

Squad number10Player nameGibbs-White

Squad number6Player nameShelvey

Squad number32Player nameRenan Lodi

Squad number19Player nameNiakhaté

Squad number7Player nameN Williams

Squad number16Player nameSurridge

Squad number23Player nameFreuler

Squad number31Player nameGustavo Scarpa

Newcastle United

Squad number14Player nameIsak

Squad number32Player nameAnderson

Squad number39Player nameBruno Guimarães

Squad number28Player nameWillock

Squad number2Player nameTrippier

Squad number5Player nameSchär

Squad number22Player namePope

Squad number23Player nameMurphy

Squad number36Player nameS Longstaff

Squad number33Player nameBurn

Squad number4Player nameBotman

Squad number11Player nameRitchie

Squad number10Player nameSaint-Maximin

Line-ups

Nottm Forest

Formation 4-2-3-1

12Navas

24Aurier38Felipe19Niakhaté32Lodi

22Yates6Shelvey

20Johnson10Gibbs-White25Dennis

34A Ayew

Substitutes

Newcastle

Formation 4-3-3

22Pope

2Trippier5Schär4Botman33Burn

36S Longstaff39Bruno Guimarães28Willock

23Murphy14Isak10Saint-Maximin

Substitutes

Live Text

Match ends, Nottingham Forest 1, Newcastle United 2.

Second Half ends, Nottingham Forest 1, Newcastle United 2.

Alexander Isak (Newcastle United) wins a free kick on the left wing.

Foul by Gustavo Scarpa (Nottingham Forest).

Renan Lodi (Nottingham Forest) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.

Alexander Isak (Newcastle United) wins a free kick on the right wing.

Foul by Renan Lodi (Nottingham Forest).

Substitution, Nottingham Forest. Gustavo Scarpa replaces Jonjo Shelvey.

Goal! Nottingham Forest 1, Newcastle United 2. Alexander Isak (Newcastle United) converts the penalty with a right footed shot to the top right corner.

Keylor Navas (Nottingham Forest) is shown the yellow card.

Jonjo Shelvey (Nottingham Forest) is shown the yellow card.

Penalty conceded by Moussa Niakhaté (Nottingham Forest) with a hand ball in the penalty area.

Attempt blocked. Alexander Isak (Newcastle United) header from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Joe Willock with a cross.

Nick Pope (Newcastle United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

Foul by Sam Surridge (Nottingham Forest).

Attempt saved. Brennan Johnson (Nottingham Forest) right footed shot from the right side of the box is saved in the bottom right corner.

Attempt blocked. Bruno Guimarães (Newcastle United) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Matt Ritchie with a cross.

Kieran Trippier (Newcastle United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

Foul by Neco Williams (Nottingham Forest).

Substitution, Newcastle United. Matt Ritchie replaces Jacob Murphy.

Source Link