Nottingham Forest’s Premier League return ends in defeat at Newcastle

Fabian Schar’s piledriver and Callum Wilson’s impudence ensured Nottingham Forest’s long-awaited return to the Premier League ended in defeat at Newcastle.

Schar thumped a long-range 58th-minute strike past debutant goalkeeper Dean Henderson before Wilson beat him with a cultured flick to secure a 2-0 victory which was scant reward for a dominant display at St James’ Park.

The Magpies had to wait until December and their 15th fixture for a first league win last season, but head coach Eddie Howe, who signed a new long-term contract on Friday, collected three points at the first time of asking this time around to increase the level of optimism among an expectant crowd of 52,245.

Forest, playing in the top-flight once again after an absence of 23 years, battled manfully throughout, but the traffic was largely one way as they were given a taste of what lies ahead for them.

Backed by a raucous home crowd, the Magpies set off at breakneck speed and Joe Willock saw a fourth-minute shot deflected just wide by defender Scott McKenna after Allan Saint-Maximin had charged down the left and squared after cutting inside.

The Frenchman caused all kinds of problems for Neco Williams and Forest skipper Joe Worrall in the early stages.

However, it took a superbly-timed challenge by Dan Burn to deny Sam Surridge a clear shot at goal after Jesse Lingard, once a target for Howe, had played him in with 13 minutes gone.

Henderson, making his first competitive appearance for the visitors on loan from Manchester United, had to parry Joelinton’s 20th-minute attempt from distance after he had turned former Magpie Jack Colback, and he was sent scurrying back towards his line seconds later when Miguel Almiron charged down Moussa Niakhate’s hurried