Nottingham Forest 1-2 Newcastle United: Late Alexander Isak penalty secures Magpies crucial win in top-four race

Alexander Isak’s last-gasp penalty breathed new life into Newcastle’s Champions League ambitions as they deservedly beat Nottingham Forest 2-1. The Swedish international netted both goals as the Magpies came from behind to win at the City Ground, with those strikes further denting the Tricky Trees’ hopes of staying up.

Ad The Magpies had the bulk of the possession in the early exchanges but created just one chance, which came when Alexander Isak’s effort took a deflection, leading Renan Lodi to hammer against his own crossbar. Premier LeagueIsak and Almiron on target as Newcastle edge out Wolves12/03/2023 AT 16:57 After failing to make the momentum count, the visitors were open to a sucker-punch, which came when Sven Botman didn’t deal with Jonjo Shelvey’s long-ball forward, allowing Emmanuel Dennis to nip in and brilliantly finish past Nick Pope.

Newcastle looked to hit back and rattled the woodwork for a second time before the break through Sean Longstaff, and they duly got their equaliser when Isak superbly converted from Joe Willock’s cross. Substitute Elliot Anderson forced Keylor Navas into an excellent save after the restart, before the ‘keeper also denied Bruno Guimaraes.

Anderson then thought he’d headed his side in front, only for the goal to be ruled out after a long VAR check. Then, deep into added time, Isak’s flicked header hit the arm of Moussa Niakhate in the area.

A penalty was immediately awarded, which Isak stepped up to take himself, firing into the top corner to hand his side another huge win in their top-four battle, while Forest remain just two points above the bottom three. Premier League table Premier League fixtures / results Premier League top scorers TALKING POINT — Newcastle leave it late