Newcastle 2-0 Forest: Top-class Toon kick off new dawn with dominant display at SJP
A perfect start to the new season as Eddie Howe's Mags dominated from first minute to last in a convincing win over Nottingham Forest.
I can't remember the last time I saw us play with such energy, purpose and ingenuity. We were incredible off the ball and equally good on it, seeing first-time passes, constant movement and relentless pressing all afternoon.
Howe has often asked for more control of games, regularly bemoaning lapses or a lack of possession in some of our tight victories last season. Today, we did EXACTLY what he's been asking for from the first minute to the last.
Fabian Schar broke the deadlock with a 58th minute thunderbolt and Callum Wilson made the points safe - not that they ever seemed in doubt - with a clever finish, scooping brilliantly over Dean Henderson from Joelinton's low cross.
With 62% of the ball, 23 shots, 11 corners and efficient defending that saw us concede ZERO shots on target and just one corner, it's fair to say we dominated. Pope didn't have a save to make - although he was quick off his line and decent in his distribution - and we could've easily scored three or four on another day.
We were so impressive in the first half and did just about everything but the important bit - putting the ball into the back of the net! In terms of our control of the game, decision making on the ball and dominant possession, it was exactly what Eddie Howe would’ve been asking for, we just couldn’t find the finish in what was an otherwise superb start.
They couldn’t cope with our pressing and constantly saw the ball coming straight back at them when they attempted to play out or push up the pitch. Our midfield three were smothering them, moving the back quickly and overloads were created out wide. Trippier and Almiron linked up nicely, Bruno was pulling the strings and so much more and Saint-Maximin was doing everything Howe would’ve asked of him - working hard, releasing the ball at the right time and busting a gut to get into the box when we got into good positions.
I felt sure we'd find a breakthrough if we kept up this level of energy, intensity and quality of approach play and we did so in stunning fashion through Fabian Schar. The Swiss centre-back smashed a ball past Henderson's near post from range and St James' Park erupted!
We didn't back down after that and soon made it 2-0 through Callum Wilson. Our number nine wasn't actually at his best today, but the quality of his finish highlighted why we miss him so much when he's injured.
Bruno Guimaraes showed, once again, what a sensational footballer he is. He's got it all and made Forest midfielder look silly at times, with his genius working perfectly alongside the industry offered by the impressive Joelinton and Joe Willock.
Saint-Maximin deserves real praise for putting in a much improved all-round display, doing all of those little things Eddie Howe has been demanding from him. He worked much harder, released the ball quicker, looked fitter and showed much-improved movement, often arriving into the box to try and score those tap-ins he so rarely does.
Some were shocked to see Botman on the bench, but it's hard to knock Howe's decision to ease him in when Schar and Burn were so good again. Schar was classy at both ends, while Burn dealt with just about everything with minimal fuss, showing his underrated turn of speed on a couple of occasions.
Almiron also deserves credit for his part in the win. He linked up beautifully with Trippier at times and was relentless in his pressing, often pinching the ball back in good areas. He probably should have scored, however he created a couple of big chances and, without finding the net, showed more encouraging signs after a prolific pre-season.
Aside from some careless finishing in the final third, it was the perfect team display and the sort of emphatic start to the new season we were all hoping for. Howe-ball was in full flow and St James' Park in great spirits on a feel-good day on Tyneside.
Next up, Brighton away next weekend!
STARTING XI: Pope, Trippier, Schar, Burn, Targett, Bruno, Willock, Joelinton, Almiron, Wilson, Saint-Maximin.
SUBS: Dubravka, Botman, Lascelles, S Longstaff, Ritchie, Anderson, Fraser, Murphy, Wood.
