Nottingham | Postecoglou's winless start at Forest continues

Newcastle United 2 - 0 Nottingham Forest

Bruno Guimarães and Nick Woltemade struck to give Newcastle United victory over Nottingham Forest and heap further pressure on manager Ange Postecoglou.

Author | Kieran M

Stadium | St. James' Park

View from the stands

Postecoglou’s wait for a first win as Forest boss goes on, his side following Thursday’s Europa League defeat to Midtjylland with another loss at St James’ Park.

Guimarães broke the deadlock shortly before the hour with a curling effort from the edge of the area. Forest players surrounded referee Peter Bankes, claiming the Brazilian had fouled Morgan Gibbs-White in the build-up, but the goal was allowed to stand.

Newcastle, the league’s lowest scorers heading into the match, had struggled to break down Forest until that moment. The hosts pressed for a second and were denied only by sharp goalkeeping from Matz Sels, who tipped over Sandro Tonali’s cushioned volley, before Woltemade rattled the underside of the crossbar from the ensuing corner.

Pre match atmosphere in Newcastle

Sels made further saves to keep out Malick Thiaw and Harvey Barnes, but Woltemade eventually sealed the points from the penalty spot after Elliot Anderson tripped Guimarães in the area.

Newcastle fans taunted Postecoglou with chants of “you’re getting sacked in the morning” as their team claimed only a second league win of the campaign, leaving Forest one place above the relegation zone in 17th.

Pragmatic Postecoglou

Postecoglou wore a smile as he greeted security staff and made his way through the players’ entrance after stepping off the team bus, but there has been little for the Nottingham Forest manager to feel cheerful about in recent weeks. His side have now conceded 15 goals and remain without a win from his opening seven matches in charge.

After enduring jeers from sections of his own support following Thursday’s defeat, change felt inevitable at St James’ Park. Postecoglou reshuffled his backline, handing captain Ryan Yates, Nicolo Savona and Jair Cunha their first Premier League starts of the campaign in an effort to stem the tide.

The Australian had urged his players to stay focused and make life difficult for Newcastle, and for much of the first half Forest defended with determination. Morato’s brave block to deny Woltemade from close range at 0-0 summed up their commitment to holding firm.

Yet once Guimarães broke the deadlock, Forest’s resistance faded. For all their organisation, they never looked likely to claw their way back into the contest.