Premier League football is back! Nottingham Forest were the visitors to St James Park this weekend as the first round of fixtures in the new season began.
Nick Pope got handed his Premier League debut by Eddie Howe whilst Sven Botman was named on the bench. Miguel Almiron was rewarded with a place in the starting eleven for his fine form in pre-season. Kieran Trippier took the role of Captain as Jamaal Lascelles missed out a starting place to Dan Burn and Fabian Schar.
Steve Cooper handed first competitive Nottingham Forest starts to Dean Henderson, Neco Williams, Moussa Niakhate, Harry Toffolo, Lewis O’Brian and Jesse Lingard. Joe Worrall took the captains armband as the visitors took to the field in their first Premier League fixture for over 23 years.
After “Hey Jude” blared out the speakers whilst Wor Flags did their thing, Newcastle got the game underway with the packed-out crowd getting behind their team. The Magpies had the first solid chance with just a few minutes on the clock when Joe Willock’s effort at goal was deflected away for a corner following a promising run by Allan Saint-Maximin. The home side continued to knock on the door of Nottingham’s defence with Kieran Trippier, Joelinton and Bruno Guimaraes unleashing efforts towards goal but the visitors remained firm as United’s siege took place. The visitors didn’t cause Nick Pope much bother at the other end of the pitch, Jesse Lingard had his shot at goal blocked by Fabian Schar with five minutes to play before half time. When the half time whistle arrived, the score line remained 0-0 despite the home side having the majority of the possession with 65%.
The second half continued with the visitors frustrating the hosts but a moment of magic sharp put a stop to that. Just before the hour mark, a cross which was only half cleared by the Forest defence landed at the feet of Fabian Schar who was lurking 20 yards out. The Switzerland international took a couple of touches to compose himself before unleashing a thunderbolt past the hapless Dean Henderson in the Leazes End goal. Five minutes later the visitors had a chance to level things up, Nico Williams crossed the ball into Sam Sturridge but the latter could not control his headed effort which went into the ground then over the bar. Paraguayan International Miguel Almiron had a chance to wrap things up for the Toon with 14 minutes left on the clock but his effort at goal was easily smothered by Dean Henderson. Two minutes later though, the game was wrapped up when Callum Wilson looped the ball over the Forest keeper after a nice pass by Joelinton. The Newcastle Number nine nearly doubled his tally for the game in the closing five minutes but could only hit the side netting. The match finished and Eddie Howe’s side pick up from where they left off last season.
Sutty’s Full Time Thoughts: A great start to the campaign for Eddie Howe’s men. If Callum Wilson can stay fit this season then it will be interesting to see how many goals he can end up with. Nick Pope looked solid between the sticks, it’s good to hear the fans get behind their new stopper by chanting “Englands Number One” towards the end of the match. Fabian Schar showed once more why he is one of the first names on the team sheet, he was solid at the back and showed the front line how it’s done by his wonder-strike. Joelinton…well he’s just a unit isn’t he, yet another rock solid performance from the man who is a new player under Howe. Long story short, it was a good performance overall from the lads. Here’s to a positive season and Eddie Howe’s first full campaign at the helm. Howay the lads!
Newcastle United Line Up: N Pope, M Targett, D Burn, F Scar, K Trippier (C), Joelinton, J Willock (80, S Longstaff), B Guimaraes (90+3, S Botman), M Almiron (81, R Fraser), C Wilson (90, C Wood), A Saint-Maximin (90, J Murphy).
Newcastle United Bench: M Dubravka, S Botman, J Lascelles, M Ritchie, S Longstaff, E Anderson, J Murphy, R Fraser, C Wood.
Nottingham Forest Line Up: D Henderson, J Worrall ©, M Niakhate (83, A Mighten), S McKenna, N Williams, J Colback, L O’Brian (75, O Mangala), H Toffolo, J Lingard, B Johnson, S Sturridge (63, T Awoniyi).
Nottingham Forest Bench: W Hennessey, G Biancone, L Mbe Soh, O Mangala, Cafu, O Hammond, T Awoniyi, A Lighten, L Taylor.
Match Officials: Simon Hooper (Referee), Adrian Holmes & Mark Scholes (Assistants), Tom Bramall (Fourth Official), Lee Mason (VAR), Simon Bennett (Assistant VAR).
Match Attendance: 52,245
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