Nottingham Forest 1 Newcastle 3 – Match ratings and comments on all Newcastle United players
We asked Davey Hat-Trick to give us his match ratings and player comments after Nottingham Forest 1 Newcastle 3.
A well-deserved win for Newcastle, making it three on the trot, and – prior to the Chelsea/Arsenal game – putting us a point off the Champions League places.
With Palace, Liverpool, Brentford, Leicester and Ipswich up next, I think it’s OK to believe we can stay in touch.
We were the better side in the first half but didn’t create much. Forest scored with a free header from a set-piece, so we went in one down.
Between my mates and the pundits on the telly, five Newcastle players got the blame for the goal, so let’s say it was well-worked.
Of course, the story of the first half was the referee, Anthony Taylor, treating us to his entire repertoire of inexplicable decision making. Ryan Yates will be sending him a Christmas hamper, as he seemed to be able to commit yellow card offences under Taylor’s nose at will, without the hapless official spotting anything amiss. And it mattered.
If Taylor sees the elbow on Livramento, Burn doesn’t get a yellow card. If he spots the knee-high lunge on Longstaff, it’s a second yellow for Yates, and if he’d given a goal kick instead of a Forest corner, they don’t have the ball down our end and score.
If Anthony Taylor was in any other well-paid profession, he’d be sent for cognitive assessments, or just shown the door.
If Newcastle felt hard done by at half time, they didn’t show it, and played even better after the break. We scored three well-taken goals, could have had more, and snuffed out anything Forest attempted. Our opponents can have no complaints about the result. They were outplayed by a superior team.
Nick Pope – 7
Didn’t have a lot to do and wasn’t at fault for the Forest goal.
I have to confess I’m never 100% confident when he’s dealing with crosses into the box, and yet again, his distribution was variable, but he did fine.
Tino Livramento – 8
Caught out once or twice defensively – at no great cost – but only once or twice.
However, going forward he was fantastic. Strong, fast, driving runs at the Forest defence meant they never knew whether to stick or twist.
Joelinton probably wouldn’t have scored his goal if Tino didn’t bust a lung running past the Forest defence.
Fabian Schar – 7
Neat and composed, without being spectacular.
Another one who got up the park a lot, forcing Forest to drag everyone back.
Dan Burn – 8
Did well, in my opinion. Made some vital clearances, blocked and tackled well, and was assured in possession.
Lewis Hall – 8
I’ve never seen this lad out of breath and he gets through a mountain of work every 90 minutes.
Diligent and focused in defence, creative in attack, and richly deserving of his England call-up. When he improves his dead-ball delivery, he’ll be world class.
Sean Longstaff – 7
Sean is getting some love at the moment and it’s good to see.
One of those players that doesn’t catch the eye but does a lot of the heavy lifting.
Did the hard yards again today and it meant that Newcastle ended up dominating the midfield.
Bruno Guimaraes – 8
Started off a bit behind the pace, but slowly got the measure of the game, and ended up as the dominant midfielder on display.
Got the ball up the park well and drew a number of free kicks from the gormless Forest cloggers.
Joe Willock – 8
Did very well, I thought.
Wasn’t afraid to run with the ball, looked for the forward pass all the time, and put a few decent balls into the box.
It was the correct decision to sub him off – he was running on fumes after 60 minutes.
Anthony Gordon – 7
Not his greatest game in a black and white shirt but did OK.
All-action, as ever, equally committed to his defensive duties as his attacking role, and was one of the main reasons Forest ran out of steam and ideas.
Picked up an injury, which I hope the England management take notice of.
Alexander Isak – 8
A goal and an assist for the silky Swede, although Joelinton really made his goal on his own.
His goal looked like a tap-in, but was a thing of beauty – he was the calmest man in a frantic penalty area.
If he’d scored from what was arguably an easier chance, he’d be a 9/10, but I’m not complaining.
Fair to say he’s not a big number 9 that will hold the ball up but there is no better player with the ball at his feet
Joelinton – 9
When I played football – I’m sure it’s the same for everyone – there were certain teammates that I was just pleased to see wearing the kit.
I always felt we had a chance when certain people played.
I bet this team thinks that when Joelinton’s name appears on the team sheet.
He’s as strong as an ox, has absolutely no fear, adapts to every position he’s asked to play in, and must frustrate the hell out of the opposition. You just can’t knock him off the ball.
On top of that, he is very good with the ball at his feet, as evidenced by the goal he scored to give us the lead. Right foot, right foot, right foot right foot, so the defender shows him onto his left. Shoots with his left. Goal. Class.
SUBS:
Sandro Tonali – 7
A great player to have on the bench and he slotted in nicely when he came on.
Was part of a lovely move for Newcastle’s third and got the assist.
Harvey Barnes – 7
As above.
There was a time when Newcastle had no match winners on their bench but we do now.
Everyone knows what he’s going to do when he cuts in from the left but they still can’t stop him.
Another goal to the collection and plenty more to come I’m sure.
William Osula – N/A
Came on when the ref was mid-whistle to end the match.
Might as well have worn a suit.
Nottingham Forest 1 Newcastle 3 – Sunday 10 November 2pm
(Stats via BBC Sport)
Goals:
Newcastle United:
Isak 54, Joelinton 72, Barnes 83
Forest:
Murillo 21
(Half-time stats in brackets)
Possession was Newcastle 56% (60%) Forest 44% (40%)
Total shots were Newcastle 17 (7) Forest 9 (3)
Shots on target were Newcastle 6 (2) Forest 3 (1)
Corners were Newcastle 5 (4) Forest 4 (2)
Touches in the box Newcastle 33 (20) Forest 17 (8)
Newcastle United team v Nottingham Forest:
Pope; Livramento, Schar, Burn, Hall; Longstaff, Bruno, Willock (Tonali 69), Gordon (Barnes 80), Isak (Osula 90+8), Joelinton
Unused Subs:
Targett, Jacob Murphy, Dubravka, Miley, Almiron, Kelly
(Nuno Espirito Santo impressive comments after Newcastle United outclass Nottingham Forest – Read HERE)
(BBC Sport comments from ‘neutrals’ – Interesting on Newcastle United after win at Nottingham Forest – Read HERE)
(Nottingham Forest 1 Newcastle 3 – Instant Newcastle United fan/writer reaction – Read HERE)
Newcastle United upcoming matches confirmed to end of January 2025:
Monday 25 November – Newcastle v West Ham (8pm) Sky Sports
Saturday 30 November – Crystal Palace v Newcastle (3pm)
Wednesday 4 December – Newcastle v Liverpool (7.30pm) Amazon
Saturday 7 December – Brentford v Newcastle (3pm)
Saturday 14 December – Newcastle v Leicester (3pm)
Wednesday 18 December – Newcastle v Brentford (7.45pm) Sky Sports+ (Carabao Cup)
Saturday 21 December – Ipswich v Newcastle (3pm)
Thursday 26 December – Newcastle v Villa (3pm) Amazon
Monday 30 December – Man U v Newcastle (8pm) Sky Sports
Saturday 4 January – Tottenham v Newcastle (12.30pm) TNT Sports
Wednesday 15 January – Newcastle v Wolves (7.30pm) TNT Sports
Saturday 18 January – Newcastle v Bournemouth (12.30pm) TNT Sports
Saturday 25 January – Southampton v Newcastle (3pm)
