Bruno Guimarães and Nick Woltemade Lead Newcastle United to Crucial Win Over Nottingham Forest
Newcastle United reignited their Premier League campaign with a much-needed 2–0 victory over Nottingham Forest at St. James’ Park, thanks to standout performances from Bruno Guimarães and Nick Woltemade. The result eased growing pressure on Newcastle while deepening the struggles of Forest manager Ange Postecoglou, whose winless run at the club continues.
Forest’s Frustrations Continue Under Postecoglou
It was another disappointing evening for Postecoglou and Nottingham Forest, who remain without a league win this season. Coming off a demoralizing Europa League defeat to Danish side Midtjylland just days earlier, Forest entered the match hoping to turn their fortunes around. However, the visitors once again lacked cutting edge and composure in key moments, leaving their manager facing mounting criticism from fans and pundits alike.
Newcastle, meanwhile, went into the clash as the Premier League’s lowest scorers, having found the net fewer times than any other top-flight side so far this season. The pressure was on Eddie Howe’s men to deliver a statement performance — and they did just that.
Guimarães Breaks the Deadlock in Style
The breakthrough finally came shortly before the hour mark when Brazilian midfielder Bruno Guimarães curled in a superb strike from the edge of the box. His right-footed effort sailed beyond Nottingham Forest goalkeeper Matz Sels and into the top corner, sending the St. James’ Park crowd into raptures.
However, the goal did not come without controversy. Forest players immediately surrounded referee Peter Bankes, claiming that Guimarães had fouled Morgan Gibbs-White in the buildup to the goal. Despite their protests and a brief VAR review, the referee allowed the goal to stand — much to the frustration of the visitors.
The decision proved pivotal. Up until that point, Newcastle had struggled to break down Forest’s organized defense, with few clear chances created in the opening 45 minutes. Guimarães’ moment of brilliance, though, shifted the momentum firmly in the hosts’ favor.
Newcastle Find Their Rhythm
With the deadlock broken, Newcastle began to play with renewed confidence and urgency. Midfielder Sandro Tonali almost doubled their advantage minutes later, forcing Sels into a fine save with a cushioned volley that seemed destined for the top corner.
From the resulting corner, record signing Nick Woltemade came agonizingly close to scoring his first Premier League goal when his powerful strike cannoned off the underside of the crossbar. The Magpies sensed a second goal was coming — and continued to pile on the pressure.
Sels, who was one of the few bright spots for Forest on the night, pulled off a string of superb saves to keep his team in the game. He denied both Malick Thiaw and substitute Harvey Barnes late in the second half, ensuring the scoreline remained respectable heading into the final minutes.
Woltemade Seals the Win From the Spot
The breakthrough finally came again in stoppage time when Newcastle were awarded a penalty after Elliot Anderson clumsily brought down Guimarães inside the box. Up stepped Woltemade, who confidently fired his spot kick into the bottom corner to seal a 2–0 victory and secure Newcastle’s second league win of the season.
It was a moment of redemption for Woltemade, who had come close earlier in the game but showed composure when it mattered most. The German forward’s first Premier League goal was met with thunderous applause from the home fans, who could sense that their team had finally rediscovered its spark.
Pressure Mounts on Postecoglou
As the final whistle blew, chants of “You’re getting sacked in the morning” rang out around St. James’ Park, directed at Ange Postecoglou. The Australian coach, who joined Nottingham Forest with high expectations following his success at Tottenham Hotspur, has struggled to inspire consistency or results in his new role.
Forest’s defensive organization has often been overshadowed by their lack of creativity in attack, with the team failing to score in three of their last four league matches. Their defeat in Newcastle leaves them hovering just above the relegation zone in 17th place, with mounting pressure on Postecoglou to turn things around quickly.
Despite the chants and growing frustration among supporters, Postecoglou remained composed after the match, acknowledging his team’s shortcomings but expressing belief that results would eventually improve. “It’s been a tough run of fixtures, but we need to keep our focus,” he said. “There were positives to take, but we need to be more clinical in both boxes.”
Newcastle’s Momentum Returns
For Newcastle, the victory comes as a welcome boost after a difficult start to the season. Having struggled to convert chances and dominate games as they did last year, this performance will serve as a reminder of the team’s potential when they play with tempo and confidence.
Manager Eddie Howe praised his side’s resilience and attacking intent. “We’ve been creating opportunities but not finishing them,” Howe said post-match. “Tonight, we showed the patience and quality that have been missing in recent weeks. Bruno was outstanding, and Nick’s first goal is a great moment for him.”
The win lifts Newcastle out of the bottom half of the table and provides a much-needed confidence boost ahead of their upcoming fixtures. With the goals finally starting to flow, Howe will be eager to build on this momentum and push his team back toward the top half of the Premier League standings.
Forest Facing a Defining Period
For Nottingham Forest, however, the outlook remains concerning. Their defensive lapses, combined with a lack of cutting edge up front, have left them in a precarious position early in the campaign. The next few weeks could prove decisive for Postecoglou’s future, as Forest’s board weighs whether to stand by their manager or make a change before the situation worsens.
If Forest are to climb the table, they will need their key players — such as Gibbs-White and Taiwo Awoniyi — to rediscover their form quickly. The return of injured defender Willy Boly and midfielder Orel Mangala could also help stabilize the team in the coming fixtures.
For now, though, the night belonged to Newcastle. With Bruno Guimarães orchestrating play in midfield and Nick Woltemade finally breaking his scoring duck, the Magpies gave their supporters something to cheer about — and reminded the rest of the league that they are far from done this season.