(Football news) Alexander Isak inspired his team as a stoppage-time penalty kept Newcastle’s Champions League hopes alive as they got a 2-1 comeback win against Nottingham Forest in the Premier League on Friday. The Sweden international scored a late goal in the first half after Emmanuel Dennis scored the first goal for Forest in front. Isak then went onto score a late winner and moved Newcastle to a point off fourth-placed Tottenham with a game in hand for the last Champions League spot.

The Magpies have gone five points clear of sixth-placed Liverpool as Eddie Howe’s team won back-to-back league games for the first time for the first time this year. Isak scored from the spot in the third minute of stoppage time after Moussa Niakhate looked like he handled the ball in the penalty box. Forest took a surprise lead in the 26th minute after Sven Botman’s back-pass was intercepted by Dennis, who expertly dinked it past Nick Pope. Newcastle then went on to hit the post twice but the game was level by halftime after Isak brilliantly volleyed in a cross from Joe Willock in the second minute of added time.

There was a lot of controversy just past the hour-mark when substitute Elliot Anderson looked to have given Newcastle the lead but VAR concluded that there was an offside in the build-up. Newcastle endured a difficult start to 2023 after looking like a title challenger in the first half of the season but the Saudi-backed club are back on track to secure a place in the Champions League as wins against Wolverhampton and Forest have given them a significant boost this season. The late goal saw Forest get beaten at the City Ground for the first time in the Premier league since last September and most importantly leaves the team just two points above the relegation zone.

“We believe and we know that we have it in our own hands and have a good chance,” Isak said.

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