‘I wish’ - Nuno Espirito Santo reaction after angering Newcastle United supporters with Eddie Howe gesture
Nuno Espirito Santo believes Nottingham Forest could have snatched a result had more time been added on.
A valiant second-half performance saw the Tricky Trees fight from 4-1 down to come within a whisker of upsetting Newcastle United. Nikola Milenkovic skewed two golden opportunities to head home late on and the Magpies limped to victory.
Three points eased Newcastle’s dismal Premier League run at St James’ Park and got them back in the mix for Champions League football. Eddie Howe’s men sit joint fourth, behind Manchester City on goal difference.
Eagle-eyes supporters took umbrage with Forest’s reaction to their defeat at the full-time whistle. Nuno appeared to blank Howe as he reached out for a customary post-match handshake.
The Tricky Trees boss called their first-half performance “frustrating” while ruing the referee’s order for three minutes of added time. Nuno told reporters: “Even though we were behind, the team had the desire and belief. The players showed that in the way they played. I wish we had 10 minutes (added on) because I honestly believe with more time we could get something.
“We scored on 90 minutes and still had one more chance because of how much we were on top. We started well, we pressed, but once the momentum changed Newcastle were much better than us. We have to focus and reflect on what happened in the first half.
“We lost the game in the first half which is frustrating for us. In the second half, we reacted really well. The boys gave it all and we had the chance to take something from the match against a good team.
“We saw more of what we are in the second half but it will be a good game to reflect on. It’s not easy to score three goals away from home and get nothing. We got the first half out of our heads and competed well in the second half.
“Unfortunately, at that time there was a big gap between us. The fans felt like we did in the second half; that we were on top and we finished the game with chance after chance to try and take something from the match.”