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Newcastle 2 Nottingham Forest 0 – Match ratings and comments on all the NUFC players

2 years ago
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We asked Davey Hat-Trick to give us his match ratings and player comments after Newcastle 2 Nottingham Forest 0.

A dominant win, my only regret being the lack of goals from Newcastle. If anyone thought this game against a newly-promoted side may have been tricky, they were wrong. Forest were awful. No wonder they don’t have a sponsor.

The only thing they did well was contain Wilson, until he scored. Other than that, they were timewasting from minute one, and even when we scored, they didn’t raise their game.

Newcastle were good from front to back and I can’t really criticise anyone. We need to be more incisive, and we won’t play a team as bad as Forest every week, but I’m happy with this win. It took 15 games for Newcastle to register a victory last season, but it’s a new dawn, it’s a new day, it’s a new life, and I’m feeling good.

MATCH RATINGS:

Nick Pope – 8

We could have played Pope Francis in goal and Forest wouldn’t have scored.

I don’t remember him having to make a save, but he claimed some crosses with confidence, he looks the part.

Kieran Trippier – 8

Captain today and played like it.

Drove the team on and led by example.

Dan Burn – 8

I thought Botman might get the nod over Burn today but the big man justified his selection.

Played well enough and kept Forest quiet.

Fabian Schar – 9

Forest tried to rough him up but he stood up well.

Very composed on the ball and scored a beauty.

Matt Targett – 8

Beaten down the side once or twice but recovered well and for the most part was neat and tidy.

Joelinton – 9

Picked up where he left off last season.

Forest’s midfield wilted in his presence. He’s a machine.

Bruno Guimaraes – 9.5

If Joelinton is a machine, Bruno is a Rolls Royce.

He was everywhere first half and looked head and shoulders above the Forest players.

Joe Willock – 8

I thought he looked good.

Seems to have gained in confidence and was more progressive than some.

If he gets a run of games, I think we may see the best of him.

Allan Saint-Maximin 8

Forest’s defence couldn’t cope with him for most of the game, but as ever, he overdid it at times.

He had a hand in both goals and that’s what we need more of.

Callum Wilson – 8

Suffered from the quality of the service he got and some decent defending from Forest.

But a quality striker needs one chance, and when his came, he took it.

It was the goal that put the game to bed and it underlined his value to us.

Miguel Almiron – 8

If Miggy had a right foot, I’d be giving him 10/10.

Worked hard, got into some great positions, but doesn’t seem to trust himself when he sees the whites of the keeper’s eyes.

SUBSTITUTES

Sean Longstaff – 7

Subbed on for the last 10 minutes and kept Newcastle’s momentum going.

Ryan Fraser – 7

Only on for 10 minutes, but brought what was needed to keep Forest on the back foot, he was direct and energetic.

Chris Wood – 6

Didn’t have time to impact the game.

Jacob Murphy – 6

One good run after coming on.

Sven Botman – 6

Just about had time for a couple of kicks of the football but he’d have enjoyed the ovation when he came on.

Stats from BBC Sport:

Newcastle 2 Nottingham Forest 0 – Saturday 6 August 3pm

Goals:

Newcastle:

Schar 58, Wilson 78

Forest:

(Half-time stats in brackets)

Possession was Forest 38% (35%) Newcastle 62% (65%)

Total shots were Forest 5 (3) Newcastle 23 (14)

Shots on target were Forest 0 (0) Newcastle 10 (6)

Corners were Forest 1 (0) Newcastle 11 (7)

Referee: Simon Hooper

Attendance:  52,245 (Forest 3,000)

Newcastle United:

Pope, Trippier, Schar, Burn, Targett, Willock (Sean Longstaff 80), Bruno (Botman 90+3), Joelinton, Almiron (Fraser 81), Wilson (Wood 90), Saint-Maximin (Murphy 90)

Unused Subs:

Dubravka, Dummett, Ritchie, Anderson

(Eddie Howe reflects on Newcastle United beating Forest, Lascelles injury and central defender dilemma – Read HERE)

(Newcastle 2 Nottingham Forest 0 – Instant NUFC fan / writer reaction to Saturday’s excellent victory – Read HERE)

(Alan Shearer loving Newcastle 2 Nottingham Forest 0 – Salutes goalscorers and ‘Fantastic’ man of the match – Read HERE)

(Newcastle 2 Nottingham Forest 0 – Dominant classy opening day for United, just look at these stats – Read HERE)

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