Alan Shearer pinpoints what Newcastle did which Nottingham Forest ‘couldn’t live with’ in 4-3 win

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Alan Shearer felt like every other Newcastle United fan in the second half against Nottingham Forest – nervous.

The Magpies had put themselves in such a commanding position in the first half, only to nearly throw it away in the second. But Eddie Howe’s side held on, as Newcastle United beat Nottingham Forest 4-3 at St James’ Park.

It was a pivotal victory for Newcastle United, as they move up to fifth in the Premier League table.

Position	Team	Played MP	Won W	Drawn D	Lost L	For GF	Against GA	Diff GD	Points Pts
3	Nottm ForestNottingham Forest	26	14	5	7	44	33	11	47
4	Man CityManchester City	26	13	5	8	52	37	15	44
5	NewcastleNewcastle	26	13	5	8	46	36	10	44
6	B’mouthBournemouth	26	12	7	7	44	30	14	43

Lewis Hall was Newcastle’s star player, while Alexander Isak ended his mini goal drought to score his 20th and 21st goals of the season.

Alan Shearer’s verdict on Newcastle United vs Nottingham Forest

Getting the three points is the most important thing, but the second half performance at 4-1 up was very concerning.

Newcastle were like a different team in the second 45 minutes, which allowed Forest to claw two goals back. Had the game gone on any longer, Nuno Espirito Santo’s side probably would have equalised.

While Alan Shearer has suggested that Forest should have got a point, he has waxed lyrical about Newcastle’s first half performance on the latest episode of The Rest Is Football podcast.

• READ MORE: Who is Alan Shearer? Stats, Height, Wife, Daughter, Net Worth

“Oh, it was great [Newcastle vs Forest],” he said.

“I mean, it was end to end, nerve-racking towards the end after getting in such a great position, Newcastle.

“Some of the football they played in the first half after going 1-0 down was magnificent. It really was. One-touch, two-touch football and Forest couldn’t live with Newcastle at times.

“But goodness me, they came back into it in the second half. Talk about a game of two halves and that was it. And they perhaps could have, maybe should have gone away with a draw.”

Newcastle United benefit as Premier League rivals stutter

As Shearer says, Newcastle were lucky to pick up all three points. While they were irresistible at times in the first half, the second half was a complete contrast.

But Newcastle did enough to get over the line – just – and are back in a strong position to qualify for the Champions League.

While Eddie Howe’s side won, teams around Newcastle United lost. Bournemouth and Chelsea suffered defeats on Saturday, allowing the Magpies to leapfrog them.

Meanwhile, Newcastle’s win over Forest was followed by Manchester City losing to Liverpool. That means that Newcastle are level on points again with Pep Guardiola’s side.

And to top it off, Forest are only three points ahead of Newcastle in third.

Champions League qualification is still very much up for grabs, although the Magpies’ hopes could take a hit on Wednesday night when they face Liverpool at Anfield.

It could be ugly if Newcastle play like they did in the second half on Sunday.