Elliot Anderson reminded Newcastle United exactly what they sacrificed when he scored a late goal to earn Nottingham Forest a vital 1-1 draw in their battle for Premier League survival. The England midfielder, who moved from Newcastle to the City Ground in 2024 for £35 million to help his boyhood club meet PSR requirements, showed no sentiment as he levelled in the 88th minute.
Match Overview
Anderson's strike cancelled out Harvey Barnes' opener, increasing Forest's lead over the relegation zone to seven points, with West Ham and Tottenham yet to play this weekend. The result was a perfect response to Thursday's Europa League semi-final second leg, where Forest were thrashed 4-0 by Aston Villa. It extended their unbeaten Premier League run to eight matches.
For Newcastle, this was another disappointing afternoon as their season fades, with hopes of European qualification damaged. Forest, despite a quick turnaround from the Villa Park defeat and injuries to Morgan Gibbs-White, Murillo, and Ibrahim Sangare, competed well.
First Half Chances
Neither side showed much creativity initially, but Forest created the best chances in the first half. Dilane Bakwa tormented the Newcastle defence down the left, first having a shot blocked after a jinking run, then skinning Dan Burn to reach the byline, though his cross was too fierce for Taiwo Awoniyi. Later, a dangerous ball saw Newcastle goalkeeper Nick Pope go walkabout, but he recovered to block Jair Cunha's shot.
Bakwa's error nearly cost Forest on the stroke of half-time when he was robbed in possession, allowing Nick Woltemade to play in Will Osula, whose low shot was blocked by Matz Sels.
Second Half Action
Forest had a golden chance just before the hour when Sven Botman's defensive error let Awoniyi in, but he could not connect cleanly and Pope saved with his legs. Newcastle then grew into the game, with Bruno Guimaraes having a quickfire double chance. First, he shot straight at Sels after a poor Morata clearance, then tested Sels again with a low effort that required a stretching save.
Osula was denied a brilliant opener when his 20-yard free-kick crashed off the crossbar, with Guimaraes wasteful on the follow-up. The breakthrough came 16 minutes from time as Barnes raced onto Jacob Ramsey's defence-splitting through ball and finished clinically.
Late Drama
Forest looked beaten, but Anderson produced the equaliser in the 88th minute. He surged into the area, latched onto James McAtee's cute pass, and fired past a helpless Pope at the near post, earning a point that edges Forest closer to safety.
