Nottingham Forest 1-3 Newcastle United (Premier League) 09.11.24
Forest are off the pace, as Magpies fly away with three points.
Newcastle’s performance was by no means consistent in both the first and second half, but only really by one factor, maybe another, in that they struggled in the final third, and perhaps the work rate different – but a strong win nonetheless.
The first half
Both sides unchanged, strong, and ready for a tough test; for me, this was – and as it proved to be – Forest’s toughest test at the City Ground to date so far this season. A largely fully-fit Newcastle United side is one any team will struggle against.
With that being said however, Forest had a good half: Newcastle’s game plan was evident from moment one, whereas Forest looked to be more observant, and work out how they wished to attack. Newcastle closed the central areas with Guimarães & Longstaff, with Willock running centrally or wide also.
Forest therefore were pushed wide, and did make the most of it when possible – quick breakaways with the likes of Gibbs-White, Elanga & Hudson-Odoi most notably, with Yates & Dominguez anchoring and looking to regain possession where possible.
Newcastle’s midfield is notably strong, and therefore Forest were outplayed in that area – but as mentioned, the plan they concocted midway into the half eventually produced a goal for them.
Both sides traded chances, but Forest took theirs well: a free-kick off of the 18-yard box from Elanga finds Murillo who sweetly heads it past pope. He ran without his man (Isak), whose poor marking left the Brazilian in prime position for his first Nottingham Forest & Premier League goal.
Forest saw out the half, but I’d argue Newcastle slightly the better side despite the goal. But a goal does go a long way, and with that said, it ends 1-0 in the first half with the home side in front.
The Second half
This was where Newcastle had their game plan on point. They started strong, Forest looked leggy, lost, and as if any momentum they had was left in the changing room. Early runs down either wing, aided by the overlapping fullbacks in Hall & Livramento proved to be a nightmare for Aina & Moreno.
Eventually, the Toon’s hard fought effort to start the second half would yield reward; Forest fail to clear the ball, and Isak finds a scrambled ball on the floor, for which he can smash into the bag of the net, and score another goal in the Black & White of Newcastle. His first half wasn’t great, he certainly redeemed it. In fact, it could have been a goal to the Toon not long before, as Bruno’s wonderful outside-of-the-foot shot just went high of the crossbar. But regardless, now 1-1.
Soon enough, Newcastle smelt blood, they wanted another. Joelinton had Livramento running with him on the edge of Forest’s box, and despite having a good overlapping pass opportunity, he opted to cut in and shoot on his left foot. A wonderful strike, coming straight off the far post and in. Proper finish, for which Forest allowed him the space to do without adequate pressure or closing down. Can’t help but feel that despite the quality of the finish, it was avoidable.
Two wasn’t enough, clearly – the intensity Newcastle played with, matched with new substitutions Tonali & Barnes made Forest’s job far more difficult. The Reds couldn’t battle in the midfield like Newcastle, and the subs made that even tougher – Barnes off the bench too, that’s always a worry for any opponent.
The former Leicester man would punish the Reds again though, as after a counter-attack, he receives a ball from Tonali, runs toward the 6-yard box and puts it past Matz Sels at the near post. Mileknovic may have slightly touched it, but a good finish from Barnes seals the deal for Newcastle.
Barnes came close again later, but it went high. No goal. But another good chance/
A hard one to take for the Reds, only their second loss of the season, but one that will hurt particularly due to the manor of performance. Lacked the work rate needed, and Newcastle played them off the park.
Game ends 3-1 to the opposition, and some lessons to be learned by the Reds as they head into the international break.
*Article provided by Jamie Martin (Head Nottingham Forest Correspondent).
*Main image @NFFC a tough day at the City Ground against tough opponents.
