Newcastle United stunned Nottingham Forest with four goals in 11 minutes, as Alexander Isak’s brace inspired a crucial 4-3 victory in the race for a top-four Premier League finish.
Eddie Howe’s side responded to Callum Hudson-Odoi’s early opener with a blistering first-half display at St James’ Park. Lewis Miley equalised before Jacob Murphy put Newcastle ahead.
Isak then struck twice in under two minutes, reaching 50 Premier League goals and taking his season tally to 19—level with Manchester City’s Erling Haaland, behind only Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah.
Despite second-half goals from Nikola Milenkovic and Ryan Yates, Forest fell short of a dramatic comeback.
After three losses in four league matches, Newcastle are back in the Champions League race, sitting fifth—behind fourth-placed Manchester City on goal difference, with third-placed Forest three points ahead.
Howe acknowledged his side’s first-half dominance but admitted defensive lapses:
“We won the game, and that’s what we needed to do. There are things we can improve, especially in set-piece defending.”
Forest boss Nuno Espírito Santo admitted his team was unrecognisable in the first half:
“We made mistakes. It was two completely different halves. We started well, then they rolled over us.”
Early Blow and Rapid Response
Nick Pope, making his first league start since December, was caught out early as Newcastle gifted Forest a sixth-minute lead.
Jacob Murphy lost possession under pressure, allowing Hudson-Odoi to drill a low shot past Pope.
Newcastle responded in the 23rd minute when Miley controlled Lewis Hall’s pass and fired through a crowded box past Matz Sels.
Murphy redeemed himself minutes later, bundling home from close range after Hall’s deflected cross looped over the goalkeeper.
Aina’s handball in the box gifted Newcastle a penalty, which Isak coolly converted with a lofted finish. Moments later, Joe Willock surged through midfield and set up Isak, whose shot deflected past Sels for Newcastle’s fourth.
Forest Fight Back, But Newcastle Hold On
Newcastle eased up after halftime, and Milenkovic pulled one back in the 63rd minute, flicking in Chris Wood’s cross.
Yates’ 90th-minute strike set up a tense finish, but Newcastle held on for a vital win.
