🦁 Isak brilliance keeps Newcastle's top four hopes alive with Forest win | OneFootball

Friday night’s Premier League clash saw Newcastle walk away with all three points after a 2-1 win over Nottingham Forest.

Scorer: Dennis 26′; Isak 45+2′, 90+3′ (P)

It was a crunch clash for both sides this evening as the hosts continued their race to avoid relegation while the visitors eyed a spot in the top four.

Unfortunately for Eddie Howe, top-scorer Miguel Almirón was ruled out of action for the next three weeks before kick-off following a training injury.

The opening moments saw Newcastle control the pitch as Forest initially sat back. Alexander Isak came closest to scoring as an effort hit the post.

But the hosts grew into the rocking atmosphere and took the lead against the run of play when Emmanuel Dennis brilliantly chipped Nick Pope from a tight angle.

Newcastle would then be frustrated again by the woodwork when Sean Longstaff’s curling effort hit the crossbar.

Just before the break though, it would be third time lucky for the visitors when Isak’s strike hit off the post and in beyond Keylor Navas for 1-1.

The former Paris Saint Germain goalkeeper then made two massive stops in the second half to prevent the visitors from finding the net again, and Forest had a lifeline.

With roughly half an hour to go, more Isak brilliance teed up Elliot Anderson and the substitute thought he had finally scored his first for his boyhood club, only to have the goal ruled out by VAR for offside.

Felipe and Serge Aurier were forced into some last-ditch stops as Newcastle looked to win it late on before Pope made a stop on Brennan Johnson after a breakaway at the other end.

It looked like the points would be split until a late stoppage time penalty was awarded to the visitors after a blatant Moussa Niakhaté handball, and Isak stunned Navas to win it 2-1.

It is a huge result for Newcastle as they sit fifth, one behind Tottenham and three behind Manchester United. Nottingham Forest, meanwhile, are 14th.