Alexander Isak has made his mark in Premier League (PL) history, becoming the seventh-fastest player to reach 50 goals. He scored twice as Newcastle United secured a thrilling 4-3 comeback victory over the in-form Nottingham Forest at St James’ Park.
Returning from injury, Callum Hudson-Odoi wasted no time making an impression, stealing the ball from Jacob Murphy and firing a low shot from distance that beat Nick Pope.
No Premier League team has taken the lead more times than Forest this season (20), but they have only once lost after scoring first—against Newcastle in their earlier meeting.
After controlling possession early on, Eddie Howe’s squad turned the game around in just two minutes. Making his first Premier League start of the season, 18-year-old Lewis Miley capitalised on a retained set-piece, sweeping the ball into the net from inside the area to equalise in the 23rd minute.
In a stunned response, Forest were then caught on the break as Isak’s clever backheel found the advancing Lewis Hall, whose deflected cross looped over Matz Sels for Murphy to finish.
Hall was pivotal once more when a VAR check was initiated for a potential handball by Ola Aina just moments later. After a lengthy review, a penalty was awarded, allowing Isak to strike high down the centre, with Sels getting a hand to the shot as both he and the ball ended up in the back of the net.
Shortly after, the visitors were caught off-guard once again as Newcastle launched another relentless attack, leading to Isak’s effort finding the net with the assistance of a Murillo deflection.
A close-range save from Sels thwarted Murphy just before the interval. Despite the scoreline, Nuno Espírito Santo’s team appeared fortunate not to have conceded a fifth goal when Fabian Schär’s looping header hit the post after the restart.
Yet a renewed spirit saw Forest threaten with Anthony Elanga’s wayward volley, before Nikola Milenković engineered a flick to reduce the deficit.
As the momentum shifted firmly in Forest’s favour, with full-time approaching, a goalline block from Schär fell to Ryan Yates, who finished from close range, setting up a nail-biting finale. However, conceding four goals in just 11 minutes in the first half proved too much for Forest.
Following an early setback, Newcastle’s robust response helped them avoid a fourth defeat in five Premier League matches. This win keeps Howe’s side firmly in the mix for a berth in the UEFA Champions League, with the Magpies moving up to fifth place, three points adrift of third-placed Forest.
Check out a summary of the match here
Compiled by SportArena.com.au.
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