Newcastle United dealt Sven Botman 'concern' as Nottingham Forest January signing criticised

Another away day, yet another win - this is a habit Newcastle United will be in no mood to break.

The Magpies were twice pegged back when a Bruno Guimaraes opener was cancelled out by Anthony Elanga, then Fabian Schar's striker-like finish was nullified by a Callum Hudson-Odoi. After the break, a Guimaraes bit of quality won it for United, who climb to seventh in the Premier League with three points.

Here's five talking points from the City Ground encounter.

Advanced Bruno makes things sing

Two goals only tells half the story for Guimaraes' performance at Nottingham Forest. The Brazilian was at the heart of everything positive for Newcastle. Even when his grip on things waned in the second 45, and he got caught on the ball from time-to-time, he still had the class and quality, as well as speed of thought to nip in to beat Morgan Gibbs-White to the ball, then finish.

Newcastle's midfield isn't working, but a less limited Bruno can win games - just like he did this weekend.

Gift-wrapped from Belgium

Newcastle fans know that Matz Sels is not the answer to many questions when it comes to goalkeeping - and that was even in the Championship.

It's fair to say it seemed a real surprise when Forest splashed out to sign him, however, their hopes may well be dented somewhat having witnessed Sels' debut. He gift-wrapped the winner for Bruno, diving at it, but doing anything but save it.

The hosts wanted an upgrade on Matt Turner - I think we all know they've probably backed the wrong horse here.

Forward line woes - form & further injury

The way Callum Wilson placed his arm into a make-shift sling at the final whistle is exactly what Newcastle head coach Eddie Howe didn't want to see.

Prior to that, he led the line, but held it up poorly and was hardly supported manfully by Miguel Almiron, who had his worst game in a long while, and the clearly fading Anthony Gordon off the left.

It wasn't a vintage show from the trio - but fingers crossed that isn't the last we see of Wilson for a while, as has so often been the case in his United career.

Away day woes a thing of the past?

Home form has kept United's head above water in the Premier League, well, until Forest blew their neat unblemished record out the water on Boxing Day.

Their away form, has been the biggest concern - as well as their inability to stop opposition teams scoring against them, but I'll come on to that in a moment.

Having not won since Sheffield United in September away from St James' Park in the Premier League, Newcastle have now, in 2024, managed to take three points from Aston Villa and now Forest, as well as beat Fulham in the FA Cup on the road. Long may it continue.

Goals for v goals against

Week-in, week-out Newcastle are having to score three or four goals just to take anything from a game. It is a totally unsustainable outlook for Howe & Co.

Yes, it's very entertaining - few teams create like the Magpies - but defensively there are as many questions as Howe seems to have answers. Sven Botman's form is as much a concern as Dan Burn's.

Only two sides have scored more goals than the Magpies this season - Man City and Liverpool - but on the flip side they're 13th when it comes to goals against. They're a long way off the solid unit of last season, who at the same stage had conceded half of what they have this campaign.