Newcastle United secured a dramatic 2-1 victory against Nottingham Forest at the City Ground, with Alexander Isak scoring both goals, including a late penalty. The Swedish striker was in fine form throughout the match, and his performance was capped off with a perfect spot kick in extra time. Isak’s first goal was a thing of beauty, as he volleyed in a cross that looked lost in the acrobatic style of his countryman and hero Zlatan Ibrahimovic. The £60million record signing was at his very best, showing agility and height to curl the ball like a karate kick.
Nottingham Forest took the lead through a delightful Emmanuel Dennis finish from a Sven Botman error, but it was completely against the run of play. Either side of the opener, Newcastle hit the bar, first from a botched Renan Lodi clearance and then a deflected Sean Longstaff strike. Forest were riding their luck in their relegation battle, but as it turned out, luck wasn’t enough to stop Isak.
The goal came just before the break and signalled the away side’s dominance, but it took another 45 minutes for them to again capitalise. Elliott Anderson was denied his first Newcastle goal by VAR after some sublime work from Isak was deemed offside, but the Swede wasn’t finished. Winning a penalty late on from the wandering hand of a distraught Moussa Niakhate, Kieran Trippier took in the mind games from Kaylor Navas on the spot, but then handed the ball to Isak for him to bury.
Isak’s masterful performance left talkSPORT commentator Lucy Ward in awe. She said: “I talked before the game about him having the perfect profile for a modern striker – he has agility and he’s tall. What an absolutely brilliant goal, he did so well, what an absolutely brilliant finish.”
The result leaves Newcastle a point behind Tottenham who have still played a game more, while Forest remain two points above the bottom three. Newcastle’s fate is now back in their own hands, and they will be looking to build on this result as they push for a strong finish to the season.
Isak’s performance was a reminder of his immense talent and potential, and it is clear that he has all the attributes to become one of the best strikers in the world. His agility, height, and technical ability make him a nightmare for defenders, and he has shown that he can score goals in a variety of ways. With Newcastle looking to build for the future, Isak could be a key player for them in the years to come.
Overall, it was a thrilling match that showcased the best of both teams. Forest fought hard and showed plenty of resilience, but ultimately they were undone by Isak’s brilliance. Newcastle will be delighted with the result, and they will be hoping that this victory can be a springboard for them to finish the season strongly. With Isak leading the line, they have every chance of achieving their goals.