Yasir Al-Rumayyan watches on as Eddie Howe makes big Newcastle United selection call - five things

Well, that was a strange game, wasn’t it?

Newcastle United beat Nottingham Forest 4-3 at St James’ Park to claim a massive three points, but there are many still left scratching their heads over how the second half unfolded.

Cruising 4-1 at half-time via a brace from Alexander Isak and goals from Lewis Miley and Jacob Murphy, what happened after the break couldn’t have been more contrasting.

Following a second half of endless amount of pressure from Forest, Eddie Howe’s side were a tad fortunate to hold to victory in the end.

Here are our five main takeaways from the match:

Eddie Howe’s biggest selection call of the season

Eddie Howe made three changes from the 4-0 defeat at Manchester City.

Tino Livramento was preferred over Kieran Trippier at right-back, while Lewis Miley came in for Sandro Tonali with the Italian only fit enough to make the bench after missing a couple of days training in the week due to a hamstring issue.

Howe’s most significant change came in net, with Martin Dubravka dropped for Nick Pope. It was Pope’s first Premier League start since sustaining a knee injury during the 4-2 defeat at Brentford on December 7.

Dubravka had been a mainstay in United’s goal from then, regularly earning praise from Howe for his distribution and professionalism as speculation surrounded his future.

The Slovakian had an offer from Saudi Pro League side Al Shabab, one he was expected to accept before a conversation with Howe and sporting director Paul Mitchell - after the 2-0 Carabao Cup semi-final second-leg win at Arsenal - convinced him to stay.

A new one-year contract was subsequently announced on Thursday. Three days later, and the 36-year-old found himself back on the bench.

Howe has his reasons for playing Pope but purely from Dubravka’s perspective, he has every right to feel aggrieved, especially when you consider the timing.

A game of two halves - but a massive win

The first half was everything brilliant you associate with Newcastle United under Eddie Howe - speed, intensity, aggression. The second half, however, was as bad as we’ve seen.

And the most frustrating part is, it didn’t need to be that way. United sat off, invited pressure and became sloppy. Had the game gone on an extra 10 minutes, I’d probably be reflecting on a catastrophic implosion.

But I’m not, and I suppose that’s all that matters. It was a must-win and Howe’s side did it.

The win takes them to fifth in the Premier League table, level on points with fourth-place Manchester City and three behind third-place Forest.

Next up is the small matter of a trip to the Premier League champions-elect and Anfield, a ground Newcastle haven’t won at it in 30 years.

Lewis Miley & Joe Willock impress

It’s not often you can say Bruno Guimaraes was the quietest of the midfield three.

Either side of him was Lewis Miley and Joe Willock, two of Newcastle’s standout performers in the first half. Miley drew his side level, while Willock showed flashes of his 2022-23 form with a surging run forward to set up Isak’s second goal.

Reflecting on Miley’s display, Howe said: “I thought he was excellent in that first half. I thought he showed all his qualities, his technical ability, his bravery to get on the ball, his tactical understanding. He scored a goal, which is great to see again at the Gallowgate End, great finish.

“He's got really big character on the pitch. But again, he's another player that probably suffered with the team in the second half. So there'll be a lot to take from that game for Lewy.”

On Willock, Howe said: “That was Joe Willock at his best. Box-to-box, creative, flair, sprinting. It was a really strong Joe performance.

“We really need him to come back to his best level because going back historically, he was a massive player for us and he added a dynamism in our midfield that we need. So again, second half was different for him and the team, but first half he was excellent.”

Lewis Hall back to his best

It’s felt like an iffy few weeks or so for Lewis Hall, but the 20-year-old was back on top form against Forest. It was no surprise to see him awarded man of the match.

An attacking force, Hall had a big call in all three opening goals, first his cross was turned home by Miley, his second delivery, albeit deflected, was bundled home by Murphy before another ball into the box was handled by Ola Aina for a penalty, which Isak converted.

And defensively, he carried out his duties superbly. In two contrasting halves of football, Hall was the only consistent performer.

Yasir Al-Rumayyan in attendance

A penny for the thoughts of the chairman, Yasir Al-Rumayyan, who saw the good and bad of Newcastle United - all in the space of 90 minutes!

A quarter of an hour or so after full-time, Al-Rumayyan made his way from the directors’ box and into the players’ tunnel, where he shared a “10 to 15 seconds” exchange with head coach Howe.

What did that entail? “A couple of swear words from me about the game, I think,” Howe revealed in his post-match press conference. “But he was in the same emotional place where I was, so it was a nice moment.”

While Howe will be keen to discuss on-field matters at greater length, the purpose of the PIF governor’s visit is very much about off-field matters and specifically, the future of St James’ Park.

To stay or to go? That’s the multi-million-pound question.

A meeting at Matfen Hall is taking place on Monday, according to The Times.