alejandro isakThe stoppage-time penalty kept Newcastle’s Champions League bid on track in a 2-1 return win against Nottingham Forest in the Premier League on Friday.
The Swedish international leveled the score late in the first half after dennis emmanuel Forest fired in front of City Ground.
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Isak’s late goal moved Newcastle within a point of fourth-placed Tottenham, one game less than their rival for the last place in the Champions League.
“We believe and we know that we have it in our own hands and we have a good opportunity,” said Isak.
The Magpies are five points clear of sixth-placed Liverpool, and Eddie Howe’s side have won back-to-back league games for the first time since the turn of the year.
Isak fired from the penalty spot in the third minute of stoppage time after Moussa Niajate handled in the box.
Forest took the lead in the 26th minute after Sven BotmannDennis’ back pass was intercepted by Dennis, who got past the Newcastle goalkeeper. nick dad.
Newcastle hit the woodwork twice, but the game was level at half time after Isak volleyed Joe Willock’s cross in the second minute of added time.
There was controversy shortly after the hour mark when substitute Elliot Anderson appeared to have pushed Newcastle into the lead only for a VAR check to conclude that there had been an offside in the build-up.
Newcastle got off to a troubled start to 2023 after looking like an unlikely title challenger in the first half of the season.
But the Saudi-backed club’s bid to secure a Champions League place has been boosted by victories against Wolverhampton last week and Forest.
The late goal saw Forest beaten at the City Ground for the first time in the league since September and leaves the team just two points above the relegation zone.
