Newcastle United emerged victorious in a dramatic 4-3 win over Nottingham Forest, with Alexander Isak scoring twice to reach a Premier League milestone. Despite a late surge from Forest, Eddie Howe’s side held on to claim all three points in Sunday’s high-octane match.
Early Setback: Hudson-Odoi Puts Forest Ahead
Nottingham Forest struck first within just six minutes, as Callum Hudson-Odoi capitalized on Jacob Murphy’s misplaced pass to fire a long-range effort past Newcastle’s defense. The early goal set the tone for a frenetic first half.
Newcastle’s First-Half Comeback: Four Goals in Eleven Minutes
Newcastle responded emphatically, turning the game around with four goals in just 11 first-half minutes:
- Lewis Miley leveled the scoreline, restoring parity for the hosts.
- Jacob Murphy quickly made amends for his earlier mistake by putting Newcastle ahead two minutes later.
- Alexander Isak extended the lead from the penalty spot after a VAR review confirmed a handball by Ola Aina.
- Isak struck again, this time benefiting from a deflected effort off Murillo, making it 4-1 before halftime.
Isak’s Milestone: Enters Premier League Record Books
With his brace, Alexander Isak became the fastest Swedish player to reach 50 Premier League goals, surpassing Freddie Ljungberg (48). Additionally, only six players in league history have reached the half-century mark quicker than Isak, who achieved it in just 76 appearances.
Forest’s Late Fightback: Milenkovic and Yates Reduce the Deficit
Despite being 4-1 down, Nottingham Forest refused to give up:
- Nikola Milenkovic pulled one back with a well-taken finish.
- Ryan Yates further reduced the deficit late in the game, making it 4-3.
- Last-Minute Controversy: Yates appealed for a penalty following a challenge from Anthony Gordon, but the referee waved play on, leaving Forest frustrated.
Data Debrief: Key Stats from the Game
- Forest’s Unwanted Record: They became only the sixth Premier League side to lead 1-0 but then trail by 3+ goals at halftime.
- Newcastle’s Resurgence: Howe’s men have now won 13 of their last 16 matches in all competitions, the most by any Premier League team in this period.
- Expected Goals (xG): Newcastle (3.05) vs. Forest (2.18), highlighting Newcastle’s attacking dominance.
- Forest’s Struggles: They have lost three of their last four Premier League games (W1), after previously losing just three in their last 16 matches.
A Deserved Win for Newcastle
Newcastle’s attacking firepower and Isak’s brilliance secured a crucial win, moving them to fifth place—just three points behind Nottingham Forest in the race for a top-four finish. Eddie Howe’s men showcased their resilience, while Forest were left to rue defensive lapses that proved costly.
