Newcastle United earned their fourth consecutive league victory over Nottingham Forest after a 2-0 win at St James’ Park.
Bruno Guimarães opened the scoring in the second half after a wonderful strike from outside the box beat a resilient Matz Sels.
Nick Woltemade continued his fine start in the North East as he scored the penalty that secured all three points for Eddie Howe’s side.
As it happened
Following a late loss to Arsenal last weekend, Newcastle bounced back in emphatic fashion with a 4-0 win in the UEFA Champions League away to Union Saint-Gilloise. Meanwhile, Nottingham Forest’s 3-2 loss at home to Midtjylland in the UEFA Europa League meant Ange Postecoglou became the club’s first manager to go winless in his first six matches in 100 years.
The Australian made four changes to his side, yet it was the hosts who made the brighter start. Joelinton had the best of Newcastle’s early opportunities but was denied twice by Matz Sels.
The Brazilian’s first effort on goal came in the 11th minute after drifting into the area to meet Kieran Trippier’s cross, but his shot was straight at the Forest goalkeeper. Joelinton then had a header from close range parried away by Sels following a deep corner that was headed back across goal by Sven Botman.
The visitors managed to earn some respite, winning a dangerous free-kick on the edge of Newcastle’s box in the 20th minute. Morgan Gibbs-White stepped up, but his effort was comfortably pushed away by Nick Pope.
Forest threatened again after a quick breakaway down the right saw Gibbs-White deliver a low cross into Chris Wood, but the striker failed to get the ball under control before Trippier dealt with the danger.
Eddie Howe’s side ended the first half on top, looking to take a lead into the break. Joelinton got another shot away, which was blocked, before the ball fell invitingly for Sandro Tonali to hit first time. The Italian midfielder dragged his effort well wide from 25 yards out to sum up a half of little quality.
The Magpies were well on top after the interval and came close to opening the scoring in the 52nd minute. After beating his man, Anthony Gordon put a cross into the box that should have bean easily dealt with by Morato, but the Brazilian centre-back fluffed his lines. To his relief, he managed to rescue the situation by blocking Nick Woltemade’s first time effort.
In the 58th minute, Newcastle deservedly broke the deadlock after a wonder strike from Bruno Guimarães. The Brazilian midfielder dispossessed Gibbs-White in the middle of the park, allowing Dan Burn to drive forward. Guimarães then received the ball back on the edge of the box before striking into the top corner past Sels.
The home side continued to dominate proceedings as they searched for a second. Trippier remained a constant creative outlet, finding Tonali with a pinpoint diagonal into the box. The Italian cushioned the ball towards goal but Sels brilliantly tipped it over the bar.
The Forest goalkeeper was called into action again as he ensured his side remained in the contest. He produced a quick reaction save to block Malick Thiaw from six yards out, before racing out to close the angle after Harvey Barnes was found in behind Forest’s defence.
In the 84th minute, Newcastle were handed the chance to seal the three points. Guimarães pounced on Elliot Anderson inside Forest’s box, forcing the English midfielder into a reckless challenge that brought the Brazilian down. Woltemade stepped up to take the penalty and wrapped it into the top corner.
The Magpies are up to 11th in the league heading into the international break, whilst Ange Postecoglou’s side sit just outside the relegation zone.
The lineups
NEW: Pope; Burn, Botman, Thiaw, Trippier; Joelinton, Tonali, Bruno Guimarães; Gordon, Woltemade, Elanga
NOT: Sels; Morato, Milenković, Cunha; Williams, Yates, Anderson, Savona; Ndoye, Wood, Gibbs-White