Alexander Isak's double strike seals wild Newcastle comeback over Forest

The Magpies turned a shaky start into a first-half onslaught, only to cling on as Forest mounted a fierce late fightback.

Eddie Howe's men were stunned early when Callum Hudson-Odoi, back from injury, robbed Jacob Murphy and rifled a low shot past Nick Pope just seven minutes in.

Forest have opened the scoring more often than any side in the division this season - 20 times - but Newcastle wasted no time hitting back. Lewis Miley, an 18-year-old making his first league start of the term, swept home from a set-piece in the 23rd minute to level things up.

Moments later, Isak's clever backheel set Lewis Hall free, and his deflected cross fell perfectly for Murphy to tap in.

The hosts weren't done. A VAR-checked handball by Ola Aina handed Newcastle a penalty, which Isak thumped down the middle, keeper Matz Sels got a hand to it but ended up in the net with the ball.

Minutes later, Isak struck again, his shot deflecting off Murillo to cap an 11-minute blitz that left Forest reeling at 4-1 down by half-time.

"We were great with the ball and looked dynamic in that first half," Howe said post-match. "It was a brilliant response after they took the lead, but we didn't manage the game well after the break."

The manager's frustration was clear as his side's dominance faded, with Fabian Schar's looping header striking the post early in the second half before Forest clawed their way back. Nikola Milenkovia flicked in a clever finish, and with time ticking down, Ryan Yates pounced on a Schar goalline block to make it 4-3.

Despite the late scare, Newcastle held firm, with Isak's double taking him to 50 Premier League goals in just 76 appearances, making him the seventh-fastest to the milestone in the competition's history and only the second Magpie after Alan Shearer to hit that mark. "He's massive for us," Howe said. "That pace, that timing, he's a big player."

Forest boss Nuno Espírito Santo rued the collapse. "We started so well, but those 11 minutes changed everything," he told reporters. "We fought back, but the damage was done."

Meanwhile, Newcastle's official X account hailed Isak's landmark, posting: "50 PL goals for Alexa special player driving us forward."

The win lifts Newcastle to fifth, three points behind third-placed Forest, keeping their Champions League hopes alive after a rocky run of form.

"When you win and still have things to improve, that's a good place to be," Howe added. "We'll reflect on that second half and sharpen up."

For Forest, it's a rare slip after breaking the deadlock, only their second loss in such games this season, both against the Magpies.

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