Newcastle United and Nottingham Forest put on a spectacle at St. James’ Park, with the Magpies securing a 4-3 victory in a game filled with end-to-end action. Both sides showed their attacking firepower, but Newcastle proved just a bit sharper in front of goal.
A Game of Fine Margins
Despite Nottingham Forest creating 2.69 xG to Newcastle’s 2.66 xG, it was the Magpies who walked away with the three points. The finishing quality on both sides was evident, as nearly every high-quality chance ended in the back of the net. Newcastle capitalized on their limited opportunities with clinical precision, whereas Forest will rue missed chances.
Momentum Shifts and Key Moments
The momentum graph shows Newcastle’s early dominance, with Lewis Miley’s goal in the 22nd minute setting the tone. Jacob Murphy and Alexander Isak struck twice before halftime, putting the hosts in control. In 12 minutes Newcastle scored 4 goals.
Forest, however, fought back with second-half goals from Nikola Milenkovi? and Ryan Yates, making for a tense finish. But Newcastle held firm, sealing the win in a match that could have gone either way.
Shot Analysis: Newcastle Make Their Chances Count
Newcastle managed 11 shots, hitting the target 5 times with an xG of 2.66. The quality of their chances stood out, with Isak’s first goal from an xG of 0.76 highlighting their ability to create high-value opportunities.
On the other side, Nottingham Forest took 15 shots with 5 on target, generating an xG of 2.69. Despite their volume, their finishing let them down, and Newcastle’s defense did just enough to hold them off.
Possession Tactics: Newcastle’s Control vs. Forest’s Direct Play
Newcastle’s pass map reveals a structured build-up, with Bruno Guimarăes and Joe Willock pulling the strings in midfield. The Magpies relied on Anthony Gordon and Jacob Murphy to create width, stretching Forest’s defense.
Forest’s pass map shows a more centralized approach, with Morgan Gibbs-White and Callum Hudson-Odoi trying to unlock Newcastle’s backline. While they did create chances, their final pass execution was inconsistent, leading to lost opportunities.
A Thriller That Could Have Gone Either Way
This was a game where both teams left it all on the pitch, but Newcastle’s early dominance and clinical finishing proved decisive. Nottingham Forest showed great spirit in their comeback, but they’ll feel frustrated at not securing at least a point.
Newcastle strengthen their league position, while Forest will need to regroup and sharpen up defensively if they are to avoid similar heartbreaks in the future.