Newcastle United's Eddie Howe Reflects On Thrilling Win Against Nottingham Forest That Felt Like A Loss

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Newcastle United secured a crucial 4-3 victory against Nottingham Forest, yet manager Eddie Howe expressed dissatisfaction with his team's second-half performance. Despite leading 4-1 at halftime, Newcastle's defensive lapses allowed Forest to close the gap, making the win feel less satisfying. Alexander Isak's two goals, along with contributions from Jacob Murphy and Lewis Miley, were pivotal in securing the win at St. James' Park.

The first half saw Newcastle dominate as they responded well to Callum Hudson-Odoi's early goal for Forest. Isak scored twice, including a penalty after VAR confirmed a handball by Ola Aina. Joe Willock's pass set up Isak's second goal, aided by a deflection off Murillo. This performance made Isak Sweden’s top scorer in Premier League history.

Despite the victory, Howe was left reflecting on the contrasting halves of the match. "It's a feeling we have to remember," Howe told Sky Sports. "It feels like we lost the game, but we won the game and got points over Nottingham Forest." He acknowledged the team's struggle to maintain momentum in the second half.

In the second half, Nikola Milenkovic scored for Forest before Ryan Yates added another in the 90th minute, creating a tense finish. Newcastle managed to withstand late pressure and secure their position in fifth place in the Premier League table, just three points behind Forest.

Howe praised his team’s resilience but noted areas for improvement. "Great to win. You have to remember that at the end," he said. He highlighted their free-flowing attacking style but admitted they struggled when momentum shifted against them.

Isak's Record-Breaking Performance

Isak’s performance was not only crucial for this match but also historic. His two goals brought his Premier League tally to 50 in just 76 appearances, making him one of the fastest players to reach this milestone. "It is huge and when he plays like he did in the first half he is massive for us," Howe commented on BBC Radio 5 Live.

The match could have ended differently if Forest had been awarded a penalty for Anthony Gordon’s challenge on Yates late in the game. However, Howe was relieved his team held on for victory despite these nervy moments.

As Newcastle continues their impressive run with 13 wins out of their last 16 matches across all competitions since December 14, Howe remains focused on maintaining consistency throughout entire matches rather than just parts of them.