Alexander Isak scored a brace, including a stoppage-time penalty, to inspire Newcastle United to a 2-1 turnaround win at Nottingham Forest in the first fixture of Matchweek 28.
TV Info
Newcastle had fallen behind in the 26th minute when Emmanuel Dennis scored in his first start since November, capitalising on a poor Sven Botman back-pass and dinking over Nick Pope and two defenders.
The visitors had already hit the woodwork twice before Isak audaciously volleyed in an equaliser from Joe Willock's cross in first-half added time.
It looked like it would not be Newcastle's night after Elliot Anderson was denied a first Premier League goal when his header was overturned following a VAR review because of an offside in the build-up.
But in the third minute of stoppage time, Moussa Niakhate handled the ball in his own area and Isak converted the resultant penalty.
Back-to-back wins keep Newcastle in fifth, with 47 points, but they are just a point behind fourth-placed Tottenham Hotspur, whom they have a match in hand over.
A first home defeat since September leaves Forest in 14th on 26 points, only two above the relegation zone having failed to win in seven matches.
| Position Pos | Club | Played Pl | GD | Points Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 |
Manchester United
MUN
|
38 | +15 | 75 |
| 4 |
Newcastle United
NEW
|
38 | +35 | 71 |
| 5 |
Liverpool
LIV
|
38 | +28 | 67 |
| 6 |
Brighton & Hove Albion
BHA
|
38 | +19 | 62 |
| 7 |
Aston Villa
AVL
|
38 | +5 | 61 |
| 8 |
Tottenham Hotspur
TOT
|
38 | +7 | 60 |
Saturday action
There are five more matches on Saturday involving teams at both ends of the table.
TV Info
Spurs can respond to Newcastle's win and take advantage of FA Cup quarter-finalists Manchester United having no Premier League fixture this weekend by leapfrogging them into third place with a win at Southampton.
AFC Bournemouth will aim to move out of the bottom three with a second successive win. They travel to Aston Villa, whom they have beaten four times in a row in the Premier League.
Wolverhampton Wanderers and Leeds United go head-to-head in a big match between relegation rivals, before the day comes to a close with Chelsea hosting Everton looking to continue their revival of form.