Bruno Guimaraes scored his first goals since September as Newcastle gave their hopes of qualifying for Europe a shot in the arm with an entertaining 3-2 win at Nottingham Forest.
The Brazilian had not scored since the 8-0 rout at Sheffield United in September but opened the scoring at the City Ground and then netted the winner in the second half.
Fabian Schar also scored as the Magpies moved seventh, two points behind sixth-placed Manchester United, and after an inconsistent season they will now be eyeing a run of form which sees them book European football for a second successive season.
Forest twice drew level through Anthony Elanga and Callum Hudson-Odoi and thought they should have had a penalty at 2-2, but they are still searching for a first Premier League win of 2024 and are just two points above the relegation zone.
And with a possible points deduction from the Premier League hanging over their heads, there will be real concerns going into the final third of the season.
Their cause is not helped by continually losing games they are competing in as this was the sixth time they have lost 3-2 this season.
The tone for a breathless match was set in the fifth minute as Forest could have led from an excellent chance for Morgan Gibbs-White.
Taiwo Awoniyi surged forward and played in Nuno Tavares to cut back for Gibbs-White, who whistled a left-footed effort just past the post.
Five minutes later the hosts were behind as Guimaraes ghosted in at the far post to produce a fine first-time finish from Kieran Trippier’s deep cross.
Newcastle defender Dan Burn was given a chastening afternoon by Luton speedster Chiedozie Ogbene last week so will have not have been thrilled at the prospect of coming up against Elanga.
And the long-legged defender was left in the dust by the Sweden international as Nicolas Dominguez’s through-ball sent him clear, but Newcastle goalkeeper Martin Dubravka stayed big and made a good stop.
Elanga was not so wasteful with his next chance 10 minutes later as he again put on the afterburners to leave Burn and Sven Botman in his wake, coolly slotting through Dubravka’s legs from Gibbs-White’s excellent through-ball.
Forest were pushing for a second but Newcastle regained the lead in the 43rd minute.
Botman headed down Trippier’s free-kick into the path of Schar, who guided the ball cleanly into the bottom corner from 12 yards.
It was 2-2 in the sixth minute of first-half added time as Hudson-Odoi cut inside from the left and let fly with an effort that clipped Lewis Miley and soared into the corner.
Forest continued to have joy against Newcastle’s high line and thought they should have had a penalty just after the hour.
Awoniyi raced through on goal from Matz Sels’ long kick and looked to be tripped by Dubravka’s outstretched arm, but referee Anthony Taylor did not give a penalty and VAR did not overrule despite a check.
Typically, three minutes later Newcastle went ahead for the third time as Elanga’s loose pass went straight to Guimaraes, who found the bottom corner for his second of the night.
This time Newcastle did not relinquish their advantage and saw it out for a valuable three points.
Barcelona dealt injury blow with Olmo out for five weeks
Barcelona confirmed that Dani Olmo has been sidelined for up to five weeks with a hamstring injury.
The 26-year-old appeared to suffer muscle discomfort after scoring in Sunday's 4-1 league win at Girona and was substituted in the 61st minute.
Olmo, who signed from RB Leipzig for €55million, missed the first two games of their season due to registration issues but has played in all three since.
He has netted three goals in those appearances, with only Robert Lewandowski netting more so far (four).
Olmo's injury is a blow to Hansi Flick's side as they begin their Champions League campaign against Monaco on Thursday, having already made a perfect start to LaLiga, with five wins from five.
The Spaniard is set to miss at least six games up to the October international break.
Frazsier's Whip to seek first points when they face Tigres Femenil at the National Stadium on Wednesday
Jamaica’s female club champion for football, Frazsiers Whip will host Mexican Football giants Tigres Femenil in a home match fixture of the CONCACAF Women's Champions Cup on Wednesday, September 18 at the National Stadium in Kingston. The competition features the 11 top women’s club teams in the CONCACAF region.
The 7pm encounter will see the home team attempt to win their first points in their Group A match up having lost their first two matches which sees them sitting at the foot of the table.
Team Manager, Marcia Pinnock is anticipating a better showing from the Jamaican champions. “The girls were competitive in the previous games, and we are expecting a much better showing on home soil. We want to encourage fans to come out and support the team and by extension, women’s football,” she said.
Cost to enter the game is J$500 for the Grandstand only.
Club Director Lenworth Kelly is targeting Corporate Companies to purchase batches of tickets for a wide cross-section of fans in high schools and communities to be able to see women’s club football.
Simeone: Atletico energised by Gallagher and Alvarez
The arrivals of Conor Gallagher and Julian Alvarez have energised Atletico Madrid, Diego Simeone said on Sunday.
Gallagher, who joined this summer from Premier League side Chelsea, scored his first LaLiga goal in Sunday's 3-0 home win over Valencia, opening the scoring in the first half.
He is now just the third youngest English goalscorer in the Spanish top-flight (24 years and 222 days), after Jude Bellingham and Mason Greenwood.
"He came with a lot of enthusiasm, and we needed that kind of player in the midfield because he makes us better," Simeone told a news conference.
"He does not stop giving his best in every game situation in which he participates."
Another new signing, Alvarez, scored in the 93rd minute, also his first goal in the Spanish top flight since joining from Manchester City.
He became the 14th Argentina player to score for Atletico in LaLiga this century.
"We all needed him to score a goal, for him to be more relaxed, to be connected to what he likes... hopefully the goal will be the first of many," the manager added.
"I imagine that he lives for the goal and the enthusiasm to generate this type of situation. Today he appeared as he always does at the least expected moment at the end of the game when hope seems to be fading and, luckily, he scored."
The Atletico boss added that the strengthened squad, which includes new signings such as Robin Le Normand and Alexander Sorloth, is gelling very well and that allows them to compete at the level they want to.
SportsMax is the Caribbean sports channel of choice, committed to providing sporting content of the highest quality to the Caribbean, delivered by a team of highly innovative, passionate and qualified professionals.
(876) 619-7629
digitalmedia@sportsmax.tv
