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:
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.
5. Sven Botman - 4
Botman has been pretty faultless since arriving on Tyneside but that mistake was a bad one. Showed a strong mentality to recover quickly.
6. Dan Burn - 6
A mixed evening for the Blyth-born defender. Defended really well in parts but struggled against Forest’s pace.
7. Bruno Guimaraes - 7
Man marked by Jonjo Shelvey. Was really lively in the beginning but faded a little as the evening progressed. Had a second-half shot well saved by Keylor Navas.
8. Sean Longstaff - 6
Found pockets of space on the edge of the box. Denied by the crossbar after his shot deflected off Felipe. Controversially penalised for the offside during Anderson’s disallowed goal.