Forest 1-3 Newcastle: Brilliant Mags battle back in massive away win

A brilliant result and performance from Eddie Howe's Mags, who battled back from a 1-0 deficit to make it three wins on the spin in all competitions against an in-form Nottingham Forest side.

A first-half header from Murillo, some awful refereeing from Anthony Taylor and our failure to capitalise on early dominance sent us into the break 1-0 down, but we showed our class and fighting spirit in the second half as Alexander Isak, Joelinton and Harvey Barnes found the net in our first away win since Wolves in September.

It feels like a massive win in the context of our season, as we not only built on recent wins over Chelsea and Arsenal but delivered a much-needed 90-minute performance away from home. Patience and persistence paid off, as we scored as many in the final 45 minutes as Forest had conceded at home all season (3) before today's game.

The result sends us up to 8th, level on points with 5th and above Aston Villa and Spurs; who suffered a shock defeat to newly promoted Ipswich in today's other 2pm kick-off.

Joelinton was a monster all over the pitch - he played down both flanks and his finish was superb - Isak made it four goals in four, our full-backs were impressive once again and Bruno pulled the strings, with Willock also a menace in a first half we dominated despite falling behind. A big team effort and such a brilliant win against tough opposition.

NUFC XI: Pope, Livramento, Schar, Burn, Hall, Bruno, Longstaff, Willock, Gordon, Joelinton, Isak.

SUBS: Dubravka, Tonali, Barnes, Targett, Osula, J.Murphy, Almiron, Kelly, Miley.

In what was probably his easiest team selection of the season so far, it was no surprise to see Howe name an unchanged side, sticking by the 11 who helped us to a 1-0 win over Arsenal last Saturday.

There were two changes on the bench, however, Emil Krafth and Alex Murphy were replaced by Matt Targett and Jacob Murphy. Hopefully Krafth's exclusion is nothing serious ahead of the upcoming international break.

Just one minute in, we had Lewis Hall to thank for a superb early block, with the 20-year-old doing superbly to stop Chris Wood's goal-bound shot from close range. A fortunate escape after a cheap free-kick given away by Joelinton.

Some awful (and costly) refereeing from Anthony Taylor then followed. The referee failed to punish Ryan Yates' careless elbow on Tino Livramento, not only denying us a free-kick and Forest an early yellow, but allowing a counter attack that got Dan Burn booked for a blatant trip on Gibbs-White. To rub salt in the wounds, that booking means he'll now be suspended for our home clash with West Ham two weeks on Monday.

Shortly after Willock fired an effort wide, the midfielder did brilliantly down the left to create space in the box and pick out Gordon at the back post, but the winger couldn't keep down his volley which flew well over Sels' goal.

That miss was soon punished, as Forest took the lead just after the 20-minute mark. Willock gave away the free kick for a trip on Aina and centre-back Murillo headed in the resultant delivery. Awful marking and such a cheap goal to concede.

1-0 Forest and work to do, although we immediately got back on the front as Bruno tested Sels with an edge of the box effort. Willock and Hall were linking up effectively down our left and Joelinton was seeing plenty of the ball, although the same couldn't be said for Gordon down our right, who was on the fringe of the game half an hour in.

Some good work from Hall, Joelinton and Longstaff then worked another opening, this time for Burn, who saw his effort beaten away by Sels. Cheap goal aside, we'd made a decent start, causing Forest problems - especially down our left - and enjoying over 65% of the ball with just 10 minutes of the first half remaining.

Willock had been the stand out player, Bruno looked at it and Hall was sharp once again. In contrast, our right-hand side had to offer a bit more, with Gordon, Livramento, Longstaff and Schar all a little loose in possession at times, killing attacks and allowing Forest to counter. We also needed a bit more from Isak; a big player who, like Gordon, needs to offer more on the road.

Yates got away with another couple of nasty tackles without a booking, taking out Longstaff and then Gordon with zero card from Anthony Taylor; who also waved penalty claims from Willock and Isak before Joelinton and Gibbs-White clashed off the ball.

The first half was so frustrating. We looked the better side, dominated the ball and created a few half chances, but we were poor from set pieces - at both ends - and missing that bit of magic in the final third after some good patters of play. Too many crosses also came to nothing, with just ONE of 17 first half deliveries finding a black and white shirt.

We started the second 45 on the front foot and went within a whisker of equaliser as Bruno's curling outside of the foot effort went just over, but we finally got the goal we deserved and it was that man Isak who made it four in four. Gordon took the corner, Longstaff got first contact and it fell to the Swede, who slotted home from close range via the post. 1-1!

Forest came back into it and had their moments on the counter, but it was a Newcastle breakaway that should've made it 2-1 as Willock's cross was volleyed wide by Isak, but we soon made up for it. Another counter as Isak fed Joelinton, who resisted Tino's overlapping run before cutting inside and firing a left-footed effort in off the post! A brilliant finish past former Mag Sels and well-deserved turnaround as big Joe gave it large in front of a joyous away end. 2-1!

Howe had brought on Sandro Tonali for a tiring Willock and a second change followed. Gordon went down holding his groin after sprinting back to stop a Forest counter and Harvey Barnes came on for the final 10 minutes.

The former Leicester man had a big role to play and it didn't take him long to have an instant impact. Fed by Tonali, who led our latest break, Barnes cut in from the left and caught Sels by surprise, firing a low effort in at the near post to score that all important third. 3-1 Newcastle and it felt like game, set and match to ease any late nerves. It could've been four in stoppage time, but Barnes couldn't keep his effort down after racing clear down the left.

Next up, a home clash with West Ham two weeks on Monday when we return from yet another international break. Howay the lads!