Bruno Guimaraes scored two wonderful goals as Newcastle United overcame three dogged comeback bids from Nottingham Forest in a 3-2 win at the City Ground on Saturday, avoiding a season sweep at the hands of noted foe Nuno Espirito Santo.
Fabian Schar also scored for Newcastle, and Kieran Trippier recorded his Premier League joint-best 10th assist as the Magpies moved into seventh place with 37 points. That’s one fewer than Man United and ahead of West Ham on goal differential before those two square off Sunday.
It’s also the first time Newcastle have ever beaten an Espirito Santo-coached side in nine tries.
WATCH NOTTINGHAM FOREST vs NEWCASTLE FULL MATCH REPLAY ONLINE
Nottingham Forest’s early positive results under Nuno Espirito Santo is becoming a memory but Morgan Gibbs-White and Co. haven’t quit and this performance was fine — at least going forward. USMNT playmaker Giovanni Reyna subbed in with 20 minutes to play and managed a shot while connecting 11-of-12 passes.
The Tricky Trees got goals from Anthony Elanga and Callum Hudson-Odoi with assists from Gibbs-White and Nicolas Dominguez, but were again failed at the back. New goalkeeper Mats Sels — the ex-Magpie — allowed three goals and made just two saves while facing 1.01 xGOT, while center back Murillo and midfielder Ryan Yates struggled o contain the Magpie threat.
Forest’s 21 points are good for 16th on the table, just two more than 18th-place Everton.
Exceptional Guimaraes shows difference of class vs world class
You don’t make the Premier League without being one of the best players in the world, but the best of the best is another story.
Bruno Guimaraes continues to show not just where Newcastle is but where the club plans to be under new ownership.
Guimaraes is the sort of finisher (and passer) who can defy xG. He doesn’t need a likely goal to put he ball home, as he did twice in this win (2 goals off a personal xG of 0.31). Guimaraes carries these heroics by getting under the skin of opponents like the best pests in the biz. See Forest’s Ryan Yates, now give him freakish vision and ability.
Now should the Magpies miss out on Europe whether through the table or failing to win the FA Cup, then we may well see Guimaraes take his place with an established power. And that could be even scarier for the Premier League (or La Liga, etc).
Guimaraes is why Newcastle won this game and why they made the Champions League next year. The Magpies could have one of his ilk at every level of their 11 if Sven Botman and Alexander Isak continue to grow, but just one is more than most clubs.
What’s next?
Newcastle host Howe’s old pals Bournemouth at 10am ET Saturday, the same time Forest entertain West Ham United.
Nottingham Forest vs Newcastle United final score: 2-3
Goal: Guimaraes (10', 67'), Elanga (26'), Schar (44'), Hudson-Odoi (45+6')
Nottingham Forest vs Newcastle United player ratings
(from fotmob.com)
Nottingham Forest vs Newcastle United player ratings (from fotmob.com)
Nottingham Forest vs Newcastle United player ratings (from fotmob.com)
Bruno Guimaraes goal (video): A beautiful brace
He’s the center of everything Newcastle do, and perhaps the best Magpies player since... Alan Shearer?
Lofty praise, but earned by Bruno Guimaraes, who makes the most of the time afforded him by Forest and it’s a third lead of the game for Newcastle United.
Callum Hudson-Odoi goal (video)
A hopeful and hard rip from outside the 18 take a turn off Lewis Miley’s elbow and wrongfoots Dubravka.
Callum Hudson-Odoi’s on the board again. 2-2.
Fabian Schar goal (video)
Newcastle has a free kick from deep, and neither team gets to the service as it drops near the arc.
Sven Botman gets it off a bounce and heads it back into the pile, where Fabian Schar’s quick to react and snap a shot past Sels.
2-1.
Anthony Elanga goal (video)
It’s 1-1 after a terrific Forest counter attack.
Morgan Gibbs-White takes the ball through the midfield and allows Anthoiny Elanga to blaze forward.
It’s a terrific pass made even more dangerous by a poor reaction from Dan Burn, and Elanga rolls the ball past Martin Dubravka.
Bruno Guimaraes goal (video)
Incredible finish.
It’s a training ground routine off a corner, and Kieran Trippier builds on his Premier League assist lead with a whipped-in cross that clears the crowd of defenders and attackers save one.
That’s Bruno Guimaraes, who hit a first-touch outside-of-the-laces volley past a bewildered Mats Sels.
Goodness.
How to watch Nottingham Forest vs Newcastle United, live stream link, start time
Kickoff: 12:30pm ET Saturday
TV Channel: NBC
Stream: Online via NBC.com and Peacock Premium
Nottingham Forest lineup
Your Reds to take on @NUFC 👊
— Nottingham Forest (@NFFC) February 10, 2024
Newcastle United lineup
HOWAY NEWCASTLE! ✊#NFONEW // #NUFC pic.twitter.com/wy1RBB1QRs
— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) February 10, 2024
Nottingham Forest team news, injuries
OUT: Ibrahim Sangare (international duty), Serge Aurier (international duty), Ola Aina (international duty), Willy Boly (international duty), Chris Wood (thigh) | QUESTIONABLE: Morgan Gibbs-White (undisclosed), Felipe (undisclosed)
Newcastle United team news, injuries
OUT: Alexander Isak (groin), Anthony Gordon (ankle), Sandro Tonali (suspension), Joelinton (thigh), Nick Pope (shoulder), Matt Targett (thigh), Joe Willock (achilles), Elliot Anderson (back) | QUESTIONABLE: Jamaal Lascelles (knock)
