Magpies withstand Forest fightback with win in chase for Champions League spot

Alexander Isak’s double helped ease Newcastle firmly back into the race for Champions League qualification by denting Nottingham Forest’s hopes in a seven-goal thriller.

- DAMIAN SPELLMAN

The Sweden international took his tally for the season to 21 as he reached 50 goals in the Premier League in a 4-3 victory over third-placed Forest at St James’ Park. The visitors had taken an early lead through Callum Hudson-Odoi.

Lewis Miley, Jacob Murphy and Isak (twice) scored inside 11 first-half minutes to turn the game on its head in front of a crowd of 52,223 – among them chair Yasir Al-Rumayyan – and send the Magpies into Wednesday night’s clash with leaders Liverpool on a high after last weekend’s drubbing at Manchester City.

The visitors, who host second-placed Arsenal in midweek, pulled one back through defender Nikola Milenkovic and ensured a tense conclusion when substitute Ryan Yates struck at the death, but they had given themselves too much to do and are now just three points ahead of City and Newcastle.

“It was always a difficult game and when they took the early lead you know you have a big task,” Newcastle boss Eddie Howe said. “I thought we were great with the ball and looked dynamic but then a couple of frailties showed in terms of defending set plays.