17 March 2023 , 22:59
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Alexander Isak sent Newcastle wild with a dramatic injury-time penalty to cap a remarkable comeback as the visitors were branded “whingebags”.
The winner capped an incredible game in which the visitors also hit the bar twice and had a goal ruled out by VAR. The spot-kick was awarded for a handball from dangerman Isak’s header after the Swede had earlier cancelled out Emmanuel Dennis' opener.
Defeat ended promoted Forest's nine-game unbeaten run at home in the Premier League. But Newcastle were jubilant as they aim to overhaul fourth-place Spurs after climbing to within a point of the London club with a game in hand.
Yet the visitors’ win left Jonjo Shelvey, who joined from Newcastle in January, frustrated after a bruising game which saw five home stars booked. Shelvey said: “I didn't think they would whinge as much as they did on the pitch.
“I represent this football club now. I will give it my all. There were a lot of whingebags in their team."
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Toon boss Eddie Howe, without Miguel Almiron who is expected to be sidelined for six weeks with a thigh injury, refused to get drawn into a slanging match with Shelvey. Instead he talked up match-winner Isak, who cost £63million from Real Sociedad last August.
He said: “We knew were were signing a top player capable of doing amazing things. The penalty was ice-cool. It was huge for us in our season. We managed to dig deep and find the winner.”
The visitors should have taken the lead in the sixth minute but Joe Willock smashed wide. Newcastle went even closer in the 11th minute when Isak’s effort on the turn was deflected on to the bar by Renan Lodi following a clever free-kick.
Alexander Isak sparked jubilation with his double including a last-gasp winner (Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)But it was the hosts who took the lead in the 26th minute from a disastrous back-pass by Sven Botman following Shelvey’s long ball. Dennis still had a lot to do before he chipped a brilliant right-foot shot high into the net with Nick Pope out of position and Kieran Trippier unable to stop it on the line.
It was just Dennis’ second goal on his fourth Premier League start since a £20million move last August from relegated Watford. Yet Newcastle continued to create chances as they hit the bar for a second time from Sean Longstaff’s deflected effort.
The visitors deservedly levelled in first half stoppage time when Willock’s cross from the right was expertly volleyed in Isak. Newcastle continued on the offensive and thought they had scored through sub Elliot Anderson’s back-post header.
Isak stepped up and converted from the spot in stoppage time (Getty Images)But Forest had a major let off as VAR ruled Longstaff was offside in the build up. Jacob Murphy and Guimaraes then also both wasted openings for United before Newcastle’s pressure told in stoppage time.
Striker Isak was the hero again as he took his tally to six goals after Moussa Niakhate handled. It sparked jubilant scenes following the first time Newcastle have won a Premier League away match with a 90th minute goal since December 2015 at Tottenham when Ayoze Pérez scored.
Reds boss Cooper rued: “I am really frustrated to lose. The timing of the goals are moments in the game when you just have to see it out.”