Newcastle United (H) 10/05/26

Nottingham Forest 1-1 Newcastle United

Anderson 88'                               Barnes 74'

If Forest fans had to describe this season in one word, I think most would choose rollercoaster. Four managers, a relegation battle, a run in Europe, some highs but many lows. But now they finally had the chance to confirm their safety, put this season behind them and rebuild for next campaign. They just needed a point against Newcastle and an Arsenal win VS West Ham in the 4:30 kick off. Could they do it?

Both sides have had seasons below their expectations. It took Forest until their fourth and current manager, Vitor Pereira, to bring some positivity. They have won their last three Premier League games, scoring twelve goals in this time. Last time out in the league, they won 3-1 at Stamford Bridge, despite resting key players such as Gibbs-White and Anderson. However, on Thursday night, their ten game unbeaten run across all competitions came to a halt as they bowed out of the Europa League, missing out on the final after losing 4-0 on the night and 4-1 on aggregate to Aston Villa. The focus will now turn to achieving Premier League survival. Despite rotating on Monday against Chelsea, Pereira only made three changes from this team, mainly due to many injuries. Anderson, Milenkovic and Williams returned to the XI. Newcastle would’ve expected to push for a European finish this season but instead they find themselves in a disappointing 13^th place. They were on a four-game losing streak, until last weekend, when they beat Brighton 3-1 at St James’ Park. Eddie Howe made two changes as Hall replaced the injured Miley and Woltemade came in for Willock.

History was on the visitor’s side as Forest have only won one of their last fifteen meetings with the Magpies. This victory came on Boxing Day in 2023 where a Chris Wood hattrick cancelled out an Isak penalty.

The first half was not one to remember from a neutral’s perspective. The most exciting thing that happened in the opening half an hour was Pereira changing formation from a back three to a back four to try and get his side more into the game. Netz pushed to left wing as Cunha went right back and Williams went left back. Newcastle were dominating but not really doing anything to trouble Forest.

After this tactical switch, the hosts looked much better. They looked brighter going forward, getting more bodies forward. Bakwa was key to this, getting at Dan Burn and beating him multiple times to inspire his team. Both sides only had one real effort in the first half and the first was on the 34 minute mark. This one fell Forest’s way. Bakwa delivered a ball into the box from the right which missed Awoniyi and looped over him. Pope had come out looking to claim the ball but instead it hit his outstretched right arm. The ball fell into the path of Cunha from six yards out. He took the effort first time, lifting his foot high, aiming to side foot it into the next. To Newcastle’s rescue, Pope got in front of the shot to bat it behind for a corner.

Just before the first half injury announcement, Newcastle had a good opportunity to take the lead. Burn pinched the ball off Bakwa in his own half and put his team on the break, through Woltemade. He was allowed to drive 35 yards, to the edge of the ‘D’, before he passed to an unmarked Osula on his right. He took a touch before aiming for the bottom left corner, but Sels came out to make a crucial save with his legs.

Newcastle started the second half like they did the first; they were the team more in control and they had the best opening chance of the 45. Hall won a free kick from 30 yards out which Guimaraes stood over. The Magpies were set up for a delivery into the box but the Brazilian went for goal himself, driving a low effort towards the bottom left corner which bounced just wide. Up the other end, Awoniyi had a good chance to give his side the lead. From his own half, Morato chipped a long ball forward for the striker. He had his back towards goal so he turned, letting the ball bounce over him. He was sandwiched between the two Newcastle centre backs but as the ball continued to bounce, he shrugged them off to get a shot away. He took the effort first time with the inside of his right foot from 15 yards out. He looked in a brilliant position to score but Thaiw got a slight touch on the ball as he slid in, deflecting it towards the outstretched leg of Pope who made the save.

From here, both sides created some decent chances. This half was nothing like the first! Burn carried the ball down the left before delivering in a low cross. This was only half cleared by Morato, as it fell to Guimaraes on the edge of the box. He took the effort time and it looked to be collected comfortably by Sels, but it slipped through his hands and between his legs. Luckily for him, Morato was on the goal line to get it clear. This clearance was recycled by Hall who headed down for Barnes. Barnes noticed the unmarked run of Guimaraes down the right of the box and played the ball to him. The Brazilian took the finish time, looking for the far corner but Sels got down well to push it away before his teammates got rid.

The chances kept falling for the visitors. The referee awarded them a free kick from 25 yards out. Osula took it, getting it over the wall but the crossbar stopped him scoring. However, it wasn’t long until they were rewarded for their efforts. Guimaraes found Ramsey in space between the Forest midfield and defence and he turned and found the run of Barnes. The ball was perfectly weighted for Barnes who just had to shrug off Morato and provide the finish, which was exactly what he did!

Forest looked like they were going to lose the game but with two minutes of the 90 left, former Geordie, Elliot Anderson grabbed an equaliser. Lucca recovered a headed clearance from the Newcastle defence before finding Anderson. He passed to McAtee just inside the box and made a run into the area himself. McAtee brilliantly noticed this run and returned the favour to Anderson who continued to dart through the box. The angle was now extremely tight but he managed to get the shot off and find the right side of the goal. The Reds were on the front foot in added time, looking for a winner but they couldn’t find one. Luckily, just a point was enough to mathematically confirm their safety as Arsenal did them a favour in West London.

Finally we can say were safe! After the season we’ve had it’s such a relief and now we can go into these final two games with no stress, especially as we will be without our key players. However, this does give more of the fringe players a chance to express themselves in a no pressure situation. Considering the circumstances of being without our usual starters, the disappointment of Thursday night and that being our third game in a week, I think it was a great point. It was even better knowing that has now kept us up. My standout was Anderson as he was brilliant yet again and got a goal to top it off against his former club. I am so happy for him especially after what he has been through recently.

Forest: Sels; Cunha, Milenkovic, Morato; Williams, Dominguez (Yates 46’), Anderson, Netz (McAtee 83’); Bakwa (Hutchinson 64’), Jesus (Lucca 83’); Awoniyi (Wood 73’)

Newcastle United: Pope; Hall, Thiaw, Botman, Burn; Joelinton, Tonali, Guimaraes (Trippier 90’); Murphy (Barnes 61’), Osula (Wissa 71’), Woltemade (Ramsey 61’)