Newcastle United secured a crucial 2-1 victory over Nottingham Forest in their bid to finish in the top four of the Premier League
Newcastle United’s Alexander Isak scored twice to secure a 2-1 win over Nottingham Forest and is optimistic about his team’s chances after the international break.
Isak’s penalty kick in the closing minutes secured the victory, taking Newcastle’s points tally to 47 from 26 games.
Isak felt Newcastle were ‘not on it’ at first
Eddie Howe’s men are currently one point behind fourth-placed Tottenham with a game in hand and five points ahead of Liverpool.
Many of the players will leave to play for their national teams over the next two weeks before returning to resume the Premier League competition.
Emmanuel Dennis scored a superb goal to give Forest the lead in the 26th minute, but Newcastle equalized just before half-time through a volley from Alexander Isak, assisted by Joe Willock.
In the second half, Newcastle’s Elliot Anderson had a goal disallowed due to Sean Longstaff being offside in the build-up.
The game seemed to be heading for a draw until Moussa Niakhate committed a handball in stoppage time, giving Newcastle a penalty. Isak converted the penalty with a confident strike to secure a 2-1 victory for the Magpies.
Asked about the fight for Champions League places, Isak said on Sky Sports: “We feel confident. We spoke about how it’s very important to go into this break with a good feeling.
“Hopefully this will give us energy for when we come back.”
Willock felt Newcastle “were not on it” in the first half and spoke in the dressing room about the need to step up their level.
“We came out in the second half and changed our game and we played really well and we got rewarded as well,” Isak added.
Isak celebrated with the thousands of Newcastle fans who made the trip and said: “Those late winners are the best goals to score.”
