ISAK SPOTS THE FOREST FRAILTY

Toon striker wins it with penalty after brilliant equaliser

- JAMES NURSEY

ALEXANDER ISAK'S dramatic stoppage-time penalty boosted Newcastle's Champions League hopes.

The winner capped an incredible game in which the Toon also hit the bar twice and had a goal ruled out by VAR.

The spot-kick was awarded for a handball by Nottingham Forest's Moussa Niakhate.

And Isak who had earlier cancelled out Emmanuel Dennis' opener against the run of play in the first half - kept his cool as his double moved Newcastle a point behind fourth-placed Tottenham.

Defeat ended promoted Forest's nine-game unbeaten run at home in the Premier League.

The Reds got stuck in from the start as ex-Newcastle midfielder Jonjo Shelvey went flying into Bruno Guimaraes, and Andre Ayew scythed down Fabian Schar from behind. But the Magpies should have taken the lead in the sixth minute when Jacob Murphy got away down the right and crossed for Joe Willock who smashed the ball wide.