WILD RIDE BUT TOON HANG ON

Rapid-fire burst vital as win reignites Euro dream

- By Ian Murtagh

NEWCASTLE moved to within three points of Nottingham Forest after blowing them away in a devastating 11-minute period before half-time.

Eddie Howe's side had lost their previous two home league games, casting doubt on qualification for next season's Champions League.

But for almost an hour this was a throwback to the days when they scored goals for fun at their St James' Park fortress.

However, it was just as well they had a three-goal cushion going into the latter stages, with the visitors scoring twice to threaten a comeback.

Forest took a sixth-minute lead but only succeeded in poking the bear as the hosts delivered devastating retribution to go 4-1 up before taking their foot off the gas.

Considering Forest have a reputation for defending leads, so the Toon Army probably feared the worst when Callum Hudson-Odoi struck.