Toon survive late scare in game of two halves - Newcastle 4-3 Forest

A massive win for Newcastle United as Eddie Howe’s Mags responded to a disastrous start to beat top-four rivals Nottingham Forest…just!

Our first half response to conceding early was superb, as an 11-minute blitz through Lewis Miley, Jacob Murphy and Alexander Isak (x2) saw us head into the break 4-1 up.

However, we were hanging on at the end after a frankly awful second half performance allowed Forest back into it. Thankfully, though, the lads hung on and secured what could be a huge win in the context of our season.

The result sends us back up to 5th; above Chelsea, Bournemouth and Aston Villa, and just three behind Forest.

Howe made three changes as Nick Pope, Tino Livramento and Lewis Miley came in for Martin Dubravka, Kieran Trippier and Sandro Tonali, with the latter managing muscle tightness.

A nightmare start saw Hudson-Odoi score from range after Murphy’s awful giveaway. A show of character was needed to avoid three straight league defeats at St James’ Park and our response was outstanding.

Miley’s tidy touch and finish drew us level from Hall’s cross, then our left-back was involved again to put us ahead, bursting forward before his attempted pass fell Murphy’s way to bundle over the line.

An Isak brace then turned a topsy turvy first half well and truly on its head. Hall helped win the penalty as his cross was handled by Aina and Isak’s chipped finish only just found a way past a flapping Sels. The Swede’s second deflected in slightly fortunately, but it was a brilliant breakaway as Isak’s give and go with Willock ended in a fourth at the Gallowgate.

There were a few poor giveaways at the back - Murphy’s for their goal and careless moments from Pope and Schar - but aside from that we absolutely bossed Forest. They couldn’t get close to us, on or off the ball, and could’ve easily conceded five or six as Gordon also went close to tapping in Livramento’s cross.

The second half was as awful as the first half was excellent. Schar started it by hitting the post from a corner, but it didn’t get much better than that at the Leazes End.

We couldn’t keep the ball, kept inviting pressure, conceded two poor goals and were suddenly hanging on in a game we totally dominated in the first half. We saw it out in the end, although we really did see the best of us in the opening 45 and the worst of us in the second.

But, back to the positives after such a vital win, I thought both Lewis’ were outstanding. Lewis Miley was composed, won so many duels - he was superb in the air - and took his goal very well. Lewis Hall played a huge role in three of our goals, made some crucial tackles inside our own box and responded well after being given the run around at Man City.

It was also great to see Joe Willock looking sharper. His first half display was as likely and direct as we’ve seen him at St James’ Park all season, even if he did fade like several others in the second.

A weird old game but the win is massive, giving us a much needed lift ahead of Wednesday’s trip to Liverpool.

Newcastle XI: Pope – Livramento, Schar, Burn, Hall – Miley, Bruno, Willock – Murphy, Isak, Gordon.

Subs: Dubravka, Wilson, Tonali, Barnes, Krafth, Targett, Osula, Longstaff, Trippier.

HWTL!