Elliot Anderson’s late leveller against Newcastle United edged Nottingham Forest to Premier League survival, as the Magpies suffered more frustration on the road. Here are the key takeaways from a tense 1-1 draw at the City Ground. Sky Sports also reported that Anderson’s 88th-minute equaliser secured Forest’s Premier League safety.
Elliot Anderson haunts boyhood club with late goal
Since leaving Tyneside for Forest, Anderson has flourished into one of England’s most exciting young midfielders. His form has also pushed him into the conversation for a possible England World Cup role this summer.
Anderson secured Premier League safety for Forest while damaging his boyhood club’s hopes of staying in contention for Europe. Newcastle sold him in 2024 in a deal widely reported at around £35m, and he painfully reminded the Magpies what they let go.
He remains a major talking point this season. Several clubs have been linked with him, including Manchester City, and Forest may face a serious fight to keep him if his stock continues to rise. His rise also fits into the wider debate around how Premier League power is shifting, with clubs outside the old elite now producing and developing players who can change games.
Harvey Barnes delivers off the bench
When Newcastle have needed a goal this season, Harvey Barnes has been there for them, as he proved that yet again with a clinical finish that initially put the Magpies in front.
Barnes continues to be the hero in the firing line. Whenever Eddie Howe’s side needed a goal to put them ahead, he has scored 16 goals this season and recorded five assists, which is a good return for a player who hasn’t been a regular in the starting 11.
In what has been a miserable season for the team, Barnes has remained a bright spot for the Mags, scoring twice against Manchester City and opening the scoring against Barcelona. He could have been the hero against Fores. The 28-year-old has had a season to remember, and one question is: Should they have tried Barnes up front instead of Anthony Gordon earlier in the season?
For more on the wider mood around the club, read our recent piece on Eddie Howe and Newcastle’s ownership questions.
Magpies lacked quality going forward
An issue that’s plagued the Magpies all season long was on full display at the City Ground: it wasn’t until the 43rd minute, when Nick Woltemade brought the ball forward, that William Osula took a touch on his right foot, but was denied by former Newcastle goalkeeper Matt Sels.
A forgettable first half, with the Magpies, not for the first time this season, flat in attacking areas, failing to test Sels, and calling for changes in the second half. With Jacob Ramsey coming on, along with Yoane Wissa, Kieran Trippier and Barnes
All of a sudden, the shots were ramping up, and Selz was under pressure, but for the space they found inside the six-yard box, nobody could find the net. Osula hit the crossbar, and Bruno Guimares was denied twice in front of the goal.
Barnes was the only clinical finisher in front of the net for the Toon, as everyone else struggled to find a way past Sels. Along with their defensive problems, the attack hasn’t improved throughout the season, and as a result, Newcastle have failed to kill off games when in front due to their attacking inconsistency.
For a team still trying to stay in the European race, Newcastle have dropped too many points from winning positions. The Sky Sports match report noted that this result ended their faint European hopes, another blow in a season where Premier League European places have been fiercely contested.
Nottingham Forest show character
The Tricky Trees have had a newsworthy season, with four different managers, a Europa League semi-final, and, with only two games left, their fate in the League has been determined.
Anderson’s late equaliser aided their survival hopes, and after West Ham’s loss to Arsenal, they no longer have to worry about dipping into the second tier.
They have shown real character in this fight for survival and have gone unbeaten in their last eight matches following the draw against Newcastle. Forest’s resilience also underlines how important staying in the division can be, especially when the financial rewards of Premier League prize money are so significant.
The draw against Newcastle added another important point. Forest made Nick Pope work, stayed in the game, and took their chance when it arrived. Now the pressure is off Pereira’s side, and Forest can start planning for next season with their Premier League table place secure.
It was a real test for this Forest side, which did, at one point, look doomed to be in the relegation fight up until the last day of the season, but picked up major wins against Chelsea and Sunderland. They’ve galvanised and gotten together to take some pressure off them.
Then adding in the draw at home against Newcastle, where Forest kept Nick Pope in his toes and reaped the rewards in getting a point, the pressure is off Vitor Perreria’s side and can start to look ahead to next season.