You couldn’t write it for Newcastle United. Or, could you? A late goal from academy product Elliot Anderson for Nottingham Forest looks to have wiped out any last hopes of European qualification.
Eddie Howe’s side dominated large parts of the Premier League meeting on Sunday afternoon. It took the introduction of substitutes Jacob Ramsey and Harvey Barnes to combine and open the scoring against a Forest side still leggy after midweek Europa League action.
The three points would have kept dying hopes of European football on Tyneisde next season alive but Anderson continued his superb season by bursting through the Newcastle box to slot home late on. Here’s how the Newcastle United players rated.
Newcastle United player ratings
GK – Nick Pope, 6
Would it be harsh to suggest Pope shouldn’t have been beaten at his post in the 89th minute? Perhaps not. Produced a great save against Taiwo Awoniyi in the 58th minute but those trademark flaps were ever-present and lucky to go unpunished in the first half.
LB – Lewis Hall, 4
Did an okay job on an unfamiliar flank, if shaky at times. Just as Hall looked comfortable, he did cut inside and blast a wild pass out of play. The last man to be beaten for the Anderson goal.
CB – Malick Thiaw, 6
A rare slip up in the second half when outmuscled by the very strong Awoniyi. Did recover well to get a block in and will be frustrated to see the clean sheet slip.
CB – Sven Botman, 8
Magnificent today. Stepped up confidently to win the ball and nullify Nottingham Forest threat. Got his feet in a muddle for that Awoniyi chance but that shouldn’t take away from a colossal performance.
RB – Dan Burn, 7
Had a good little battle on that flank against Dilane Bakwa. The Forest winger beat Burn around the outside early on but that was the only moment he really got the better of the veteran.
CM – Sandro Tonali, 7
Bright, recycling the ball well. Where transfer speculation around Anthony Gordon appears to have affected his minutes, Tonali continues to stand up despite being linked with a move away.
CM – Bruno Guimaraes, 7
Couldn’t hit the back of the net from a decent opportunity in the 61st minute but the bobbling ball did make that harder than first looked. Found an extra oomph as the game went on after that and injected the energy needed to help his side shift up an extra gear – perhaps at a cost, not having the legs to keep up with the late Anderson run.
LW – Joelinton, 7
Really good. This Forest side packs a physical punch and Joelinton stood up to the challenge to ensure Newcastle had a presence in that domain too. Had a couple good chances to shoot early doors but tried to set-up teammates, but perhaps should have had the confidence to have a pop himself. Blasted over wildly in injury time from distance.
CAM – Nick Woltemade, 6
A frustratingly frequent tale for Nick Woltemade. Showed plenty of endeavour in the centre of the park and had a standout drive in the first half before teeing up William Osula with a good chance. Ultimately, didn’t look comfortable in that strange role again.
RW – Jacob Murphy, 6
Started brightly by whipping a couple of dangerous crosses into the Nottingham Forest box, but those ultimately came to nothing and the winger faded until his second half sub.
ST – William Osula, 7
Even if a game is lacking quality, William Osula is proving that he can be relied upon to always keep running. No goal today for the in-form bagsman, who did lack instinct when wasting a good first half opportunity. Hit the bar from a deflected free-kick shortly before his sub.
Subs – Harvey Barnes (8), Jacob Ramsey (8), Yoane Wissa (7), Kieran Trippier (N/A).
In other news, Ireland call-up confirms Newcastle United may already have ‘exceptional’ answer to Man Utd-linked Sandro Tonali.
