Eddie Howe had every reason to commend Newcastle after their thrilling 4-3 victory over Nottingham Forest but emphasized the importance of better game management moving forward.
In a breathtaking first half, Newcastle surged ahead with an impressive 4-1 scoreline, netting four goals in just 13 minutes. However, they couldn’t quite maintain that dominant energy in the second half, as Forest mounted a tense assault that made the final moments of the match far from comfortable.
Goals by Nikola Milenkovic and Ryan Yates for Forest narrowed what seemed like an insurmountable lead, adding an edge of uncertainty to the closing stages of the game. Despite the anxiety-inducing finish, Howe expressed his satisfaction with the win, which places them on equal points with Manchester City in the fourth position. However, he remains committed to ensuring his team continues to improve.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Howe remarked, “To come away with a win is fantastic. You have to hold onto that feeling. It was a crazy game—perhaps that’s why we love football so much. There were two very distinct halves for us: the first half was superb, a solid response after conceding early. The second half, though, was quite the opposite. We had trouble adjusting once the momentum started to sway away from us.”
Howe continued, noting, “At our peak, we’re an exuberant, attacking team, and that was on full display in the first half.” He acknowledged the need for improvement, particularly after the break, adding, “I can’t help but dwell on the second half. We weren’t perfect, especially with defending set pieces and crosses, areas where we’ve historically been strong. That’s my immediate reaction.”
Highlighting individual performances, Howe praised Lewis Miley, saying, “Lewis had an exceptional performance. He finished his goal beautifully and should be really proud. He’s been progressing well.” Despite the tense finish, Howe concluded by reminding his team of the importance of remembering how it felt to win, noting, “It feels like we lost, but we won—and we earned those crucial points over Nottingham Forest.”
Meanwhile, on the other side of the pitch, Nottingham Forest’s manager, Nuno Espirito Santo, opted to focus on the positives despite their recent struggles, marking their third loss in four Premier League matches. He suggested that their spirited second-half effort could serve as a motivational boost as they aim to secure a Champions League position.
In his remarks to the BBC, Nuno said, “Newcastle was superior in the first half. In the second half, we were the stronger side, and the goals reflect that. There’s no real explanation for the first half—we’ll need to analyze it further. It was a significant gap to close, but our reaction was commendable. We pushed hard, created numerous opportunities against Newcastle, and truly believed in our capability to overturn the game.”
He added, “The fighting spirit was notable, and I think the team rediscovered its identity. We played positively and aggressively, qualities that pleased me the most. I only wish there were 10 additional minutes—we were in a strong position to find an equalizer.”
