Newcastle United reignited their Champions League qualification bid with a dramatic 4-3 victory over Nottingham Forest at St James’ Park, powered by an 11-minute goal blitz in the first half.
After Callum Hudson-Odoi gave Forest an early lead, Eddie Howe’s side hit back devastatingly, scoring four goals in quick succession through Lewis Miley, Jacob Murphy, and a brace from Alexander Isak.
Isak’s double, including a coolly converted penalty, took his tally to 19 league goals this season, drawing him level with Manchester City’s Erling Haaland in the scoring charts, behind only Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah.
Although Nikola Milenkovic and Ryan Yates scored in the second half to set up a tense finale, Newcastle held firm to climb to fifth place, level on points with fourth-placed Manchester City on goal difference.
Despite securing a vital win, Howe acknowledged defensive concerns after his side nearly let a commanding lead slip.
“It was a great performance in the first half, then a couple of frailties showed in terms of defending set plays,” he admitted.
Meanwhile, Forest boss Nuno Espirito Santo lamented his team’s poor first-half display: “In the first half I didn’t recognise our team. In the second half, we were much better. We made mistakes, and they punished us.”
Newcastle endured a nightmare start as Nick Pope, making his first league start since December, was caught out of position when Hudson-Odoi’s strike found the net after just six minutes.
But Miley’s composed finish in the 23rd minute sparked Newcastle into life, quickly followed by Murphy’s tap-in and Isak’s penalty. The Swedish striker then struck again, latching onto Joe Willock’s pass to put Newcastle in control.
Forest fought back after the break, Milenkovic and Yates scoring to set up a nail-biting finish, but Newcastle clung on to secure three crucial points.
With the race for the Premier League top four heating up, this pulsating victory keeps Newcastle firmly in contention for a spot in next season’s Champions League.
