In the early match of EPL's "Gift Opening Day", Nottingham Forest won 3-1 after a 1-goal deficit thanks to the three consecutive goals scored by the fallen Keith Wood, opening the door to a victory in the second game of manager Newnoo's tenure. As for the Newcastle Express, 2 consecutive defeats were recorded, and 7 consecutive victories at home in league matches came to an end, which, coupled with the recent exits from the UEFA Europa League and the EFL Cup, has led to a crisis in the team's confidence.
Newcastle got off to a good start when Alexandre Ishak scored a 12-yard goal to give his side a 1-0 lead in the 23rd minute, and then held the visitors at bay as Forest looked for a chance on the counter-attack, and a raid just before half-time resulted in a breakaway cross from the left by Aylanga, which was met by Keith Livett and sent into the empty net to level the game at 1-1 to Forest at the end of the half.
