Reds beaten by late penalty on Trentside

Forest returned to Premier League action on Friday evening under the lights on Trentside as The Reds hosted Newcastle United at The City Ground.

Steve Cooper made four changes from the side that were beaten 3-1 at Tottenham last weekend, with Moussa Niakhaté making his return to the starting eleven for the first since August following injury.

It was the visitors who created the first clear-cut opportunity of the night as Jacob Murphy's cross was met by the advancing Joe Willock, however the midfielder blazed his strike into the Trent End.

Eddie Howe's side went close again on 12 minutues, Kieran Trippier's clever free-kick found the run of Alexander Isak whose shot deflected against Renan Lodi and onto the crossbar before the ball was cleared to safety.

The Reds' first opening came on 18 minutes as Brennan Johnson cut in on his left foot and unleashed a strike towards goal but Nick Pope was equal to the effort from the edge of the box.

Emmanuel Dennis was the first name in the referee's notebook midway through the first half, shown a yellow card by Paul Tierney following a challenge on Trippier as the Nigeria international looked to break forward.

On 26 minutes, The Reds made the breakthrough in superb fashion as Dennis latched onto Sven Botman's back-pass before delightfully dinking the ball over Pope and into the back of the net.

On 33 minutes, Dan Burn was shown a yellow card for protesting against the linesman's decision to award Forest a throw-in following fantastic work from Johnson.

The Magpies came close to an equaliser on 35 minutes, Sean Longstaff's effort from the edge of the area was deflected by Felipe and onto the woodwork.

On the stroke of half time the visitors were level. Willock burst forward on the right before picking out Isak inside the area, allowing the Sweden international to send the ball past Keylor Navas and into the net via the post.

Half time: Nottingham Forest 1-1 Newcastle United

Newcastle made a change at the break as Allan Saint-Maximin made way for Elliot Anderson, while The Reds remained unchanged for the start of the second half.

It was the Magpies' Academy graduate who would come close to giving Howe's outfit the lead, connecting first-time on the volley at the back-post but Navas made a brilliant save to tip the ball behind for a corner.

After receiving a knock to his shoulder, Yates made way for Remo Freuler on 58 minutes and moments later Jonjo Shelvey almost restored the lead against his former side, but arrowed a strike just wide from the edge of the box.

Bruno Guimarães tested Navas on the hour-mark, the Costa Rica international again making a fine stop to deny the Brazilian and turn a powerful effort behind his goal for a corner.

Moments later on 64 minutes, Anderson thought he'd headed Newcastle into the lead as he rose highest at the back-post to connect with Isak's cross, however after a VAR review the goal was ruled out for offside in the build-up.

Cooper looked to his bench to freshen the side up on 78 minutes, bringing on Sam Surridge and Neco Williams in place of Ayew and Dennis as The Reds searched for a winner.

With seven minutes remaining, Newcastle came close as Isak's effort was blocked by Aurier who was well positioned inside the six-yard box to deny the Swede his second of the evening.

The Reds then sprung a counter-attack moments after an important Felipe block as Johnson burst through but saw a powerful low strike beaten away by Pope.

As six minutes of injury time were added, Niakhaté's handball from a cross into the area earned the visitors a penalty which Isak converted from 12 yards to hand Newcastle the points at The City Ground.

Full time: Nottingham Forest 1-2 Newcastle United