Nottingham Forest’s hangover against Newcastle a reality check for those dreaming big

After the champagne moments of a sparkling October for Nottingham Forest, here was the irritating hangover.

Forest have been the Premier League’s surprise package so far but this was a return to reality as Newcastle United produced a vintage away performance to continue their recent resurgence.

It feels like a trick of the imagination that Newcastle’s displays away from home had been coming under scrutiny yet they responded here with a commanding, streetwise second half and three goals.

This deserved victory lifted them up into eighth place, a point off the top-four, and provided further evidence Eddie Howe’s team are kicking into gear after an inconsistent start to the campaign.

With eight points retrieved from losing positions – just two fewer than the entirety of last season – Newcastle are impossible to write off and have a forward coming into daunting form.

For while much of the focus this season has been on Forest’s Chris Wood, it was Alexander Isak who proved the difference here.

The Sweden international scored the crucial equaliser and despite missing a good chance to add a second, stretched the Forest defence most of the afternoon with his ability to break quickly on the counter-attack.

Isak has now scored four goals in his last four matches while Joelinton also underlined his own importance with a sweetly taken finish.

Howe: ‘Joelinton is like gold dust’

Howe said: “We need our attacking players to contribute goals and Alex has done that in the past few weeks with massive moments. Joe has also been like gold dust for us and I love working with him.

“We know we have players who can make the difference and I’m really pleased with that side of our game.

“The Premier League is really tight this season and you need consistent victories and it can really elevate you. Three wins and there’s a really different feel.

“We’ve looked much more like ourselves in the past few games. I still feel there is more to come and we’ve got room to improve.”

Another international break will be unwanted for Newcastle, after building up momentum with wins over Chelsea, Arsenal and now Forest.

The only disappointment was a hip injury for Anthony Gordon, who was taken off in the second half and is now doubtful for England’s Nations League matches.

While Howe praised the never-say-die spirit of his players, with the non-internationals heading for a break in Saudi Arabia, it was a frustrating afternoon for Nuno Espirito Santo.

On Friday he was named as October’s manager of the month and had led Forest to their highest position in the Premier League for over 25 years.

Back in the technical area after serving a three-match suspension, he had warned last week that Forest were far from the finished article.

At times, watching Newcastle must have been eerily reminiscent of how his own team have punished opposition this season by utilising speed on the break and exposing space.

“There are a lot of lessons for us. We cannot say anything about our players, we gave everything that we have but there are always things to improve,” he said.

“We have to be proud of our effort against a good team. It is a very good league.

“Now we have another international break but we can be proud of how we’ve started the season. When we are back let’s go again.”

Memorable Murillo moment tempered by Forest fightback

Forest did take the lead after 21 minutes with a goal from Murillo, created by a player targeted by Newcastle in the summer.

Anthony Elanga was the subject of a £50 million bid from Newcastle on deadline day and delivered an inviting free-kick from the right which was headed into the corner by the centre-back.

It was Murillo’s first Forest goal and completed a memorable week in which he was also called up to the senior Brazil squad for the first time.

Newcastle did respond and initially the Forest defence appeared in resilient, stubborn mood.

Yet it became increasingly nervy in the second half as Newcastle subjected the hosts to incessant pressure and the 54th minute equaliser had an air of inevitability about it.

Isak was the scorer, converting from close range after Wood inadvertently headed Gordon’s corner into the forward’s path.

The Swede missed a glorious chance to add a second after a swift counter-attack caught Forest out, volleying Joe Willock’s cross wide.

Yet Joelinton did put Newcastle ahead 18 minute from time, advancing towards the area and bending a shot into the corner with his left foot.

Newcastle added a third on the break when substitute Harvey Barnes directed a shot inside the near post.