Newcastle United player ratings: ‘Bad’ 4/10 as 9/10 ‘steals the show’ in Nottingham Forest win
Newcastle United player ratings from the 2-1 win at Nottingham Forest.
Alexander Isak’s injury-time penalty clinched Newcastle United a massive three points against Nottingham Forest.
The Swede was at the double for the Magpies. He drew his side level in first-half stoppage time - cancelling out Emmanuel Dennis’ opener - before keeping his cool from 12 yards right at the death.
United’s win gives their Champions League qualification hopes a big boost. They move one point behind fourth place Tottenham Hotspur, who travel to Southampton on Saturday afternoon, with two games in-hand.
Eddie Howe named an unchanged starting XI from the 2-1 win over Wolves but was without top scorer Miguel Almiron from the bench after he picked up an injury in training.
Isak, who retained his place ahead of Callum Wilson, hit the crossbar in the 12th minute when his effort from Kieran Trippier’s short free-kick was deflected by Renan Lodi.
United had looked in control but Sven Botman’s short backpass gifted Forest the lead when Dennis lifted the ball over the emerging Nick Pope on 26 minutes.
Howe’s side had to weather the storm before striking the upright again. This time Sean Longstaff’s long-range effort deflected off Felipe.
But Isak equalised in first-half stoppage time when he volleyed home Joe Willock’s floated delivery.
Elliot Anderson was introduced at half-time and thought he netted his first senior goal in the 64th-minute but referee Paul Tierney disallowed it for offside after reviewing the incident at the VAR monitor.
It looked to be one of those nights for Newcastle but Moussa Diakhate’s handball during injury time handed Isak the opportunity to claim a late victory.
Here’s our Newcastle player ratings from the 2-1 win at the City Ground:

1. Newcastle United's Swedish striker Alexander Isak celebrates after scoring their first goal during the English Premier League football match between Nottingham Forest and Newcastle United at The City Ground in Nottingham, central England, on March 17, 2023. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images)
Newcastle United player ratings from the 2-1 win over Nottingham Forest. (Photo by OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images)

2. Nick Pope - 7
Had just three saves to make all evening but produced a big one at the end. Nothing he could do about Emmanuel Dennis’ opener after an error by Botman.

3. Kieran Trippier - 7
A solid showing down the right. His well worked free-kick almost led to Isak opening the scoring in the early stages.

4. Fabian Schar - 6
Rarely troubled defensively despite conceding. His distribution wasn’t up to his usual high standards though.