Newcastle United secured a dramatic 4-3 win over Nottingham Forest in a Premier League thriller at St. James’ Park, but manager Eddie Howe admitted the victory felt bittersweet after a second-half collapse nearly cost his side the game.
The Magpies stormed into a commanding 4-1 lead in a chaotic first half, with Alexander Isak netting a brace, alongside goals from Jacob Murphy and Lewis Miley. Callum Hudson-Odoi had initially put Forest ahead in the sixth minute, but Newcastle responded emphatically.
However, the second half saw Forest mount a spirited comeback. Nikola Milenkovic reduced the deficit, and Ryan Yates’ 90th-minute strike set up a nervy finale. Newcastle held on to claim the three points, moving them to fifth in the Premier League table, just three points behind Forest.
Despite the win, Howe expressed disappointment with his team’s second-half performance. “It’s a feeling we have to remember. It feels like we lost the game, but we won the game and got points over Nottingham Forest,” Howe told *Sky Sports*.
Newcastle have now won 13 of their last 16 games in all competitions (L3), the most by any Premier League side since December 14. Yet, the manner of the victory left Howe reflecting on missed opportunities to seal the game more comfortably.
Forest nearly snatched a late equalizer when they appealed for a penalty after Anthony Gordon’s challenge on Yates in stoppage time. While the appeals were waved away, the incident added to the drama of an already pulsating encounter.
Howe acknowledged the contrasting halves from his team: “Great to win. You have to remember that at the end. Crazy game, but that’s why we love it, I suppose. Two sides of us. The first half was excellent. A great response to going down. The second half was equally bad really. We struggled to get to grips with the momentum when it turned against us.”
Isak’s double was a standout performance, taking him to 50 Premier League goals in just 76 appearances. Only six players in the competition’s history have reached the half-century mark faster. His first goal came from the penalty spot after Ola Aina was adjudged to have handled the ball, while his second was a deflected effort following a superb pass from Joe Willock.
Howe praised Isak’s contribution, saying, “It is huge, and when he plays like he did in the first half, he is massive for us. He showed his pace, and the timing of the run was excellent. Big player.”
The win keeps Newcastle firmly in the race for European qualification, but Howe’s focus will be on addressing the defensive lapses that nearly derailed their efforts. For Forest, the fightback showcased their resilience, but they were left ruing missed opportunities to claim a point.
As the Premier League season enters its decisive phase, Newcastle’s ability to maintain their attacking flair while shoring up their defense could prove crucial in their pursuit of a top-four finish.
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