Striking form for Woltemade while Magpies captain sends fans a timely reminder

NEWCASTLE United secured a vital 2-0 win over Nottingham Forest to breathe fresh life into their Premier League season.

- By SEAN MCCORMICK

Goals from Bruno Guimaraes and Nick Woltemade lifted Eddie Howe's side up to 11th in the table as they backed up last Wednesday's Champions League win with a battling display at St James’ Park.

It means United head into the international break in a much more positive mood after the disappointing manner of last Sunday’s defeat to Arsenal.

With that in mind, here's five things we learned from Newcastle's win over Forest...

Woltemade could give Newcastle the last laugh

It was an afternoon where Woltemade’s quick adaptation to life in the Premier League was really tested but it was a test he passed with flying colours. The German forward looked isolated in a first half where both teams cancelled each other out, and Newcastle struggled to get him into the game.

Nikola Milenkovic is perhaps one of the most physical defenders he will face in the Premier League and he offered Woltemade his roughest welcome yet to English football.

The Serbian international hassled, tussled and grappled with Woltemade’s shirt at times but the 23-year-old kept coming back for more, which would have pleased Howe and it showed the battling qualities the forward possesses.

He grew into the game in the second half and twice should have scored. A close-range effort was brilliantly blocked by Morato and he then crashed the ball against the crossbar from six yards out.

But his persistence finally paid off when he lashed home his fourth Newcastle goal of the season from the penalty spot.