Newcastle’s Bruno Guimarães fires double to sink Nottingham Forest

“People always go on about space but people forget you can get lost in space.” Bruno Guimarães, however, does not subscribe to Alan Partridge’s mantra, making the most of the acres afforded to him by Nottingham Forest as he scored twice to help Newcastle secure a fourth straight away victory in all competitions.

The Brazilian knew exactly where he was when he ghosted at the back post for the opener and completed the scoring in a hectic game when he was gifted the ball in a chasm between Forest’s defence and midfield just outside the area, allowing him time to pick his spot, as the hosts succumbed to their sixth home defeat in seven games to leave them two points above the relegation zone, amid the uncertainty brought by the Premier League charge, that could result in a deduction.

Newcastle were in control of the early stages and Sean Longstaff tested Matz Sels with a low drive that he palmed wide and then shovelled the resulting corner behind. Goalkeeping has been a serious problem for Forest this season, home debutant Sels being the third to start a Premier League game but another key issue is their inability to defend set-pieces, conceding from 13 prior to Saturday evening, something Newcastle were eager to make the most of. Miguel Almirón played a corner short to Kieran Trippier, changing the angle of the cross, which he delivered as planned to the back post where Guimarães was given the freedom of the City Ground to volley the opener.

Nuno Espírito Santo’s team is built to play on the counterattack, utilising the pace of wingers Anthony Elanga and Callum Hudson-Odoi, who could recognise the lack of sprinting power in the Newcastle back four. The Newcastle defence was sliced open by Morgan Gibbs-White, Elanga showed his speed to beat the onrushing Martin Dubravka to the ball, toe-poking past him into the net from 20 yards for his fifth goal of the season. Amid Forest’s somewhat scattergun approach in the transfer market, the Swede was a smart signing in the summer from Manchester United, he might not have perfect technique but has quickly become one of the league’s most effective wingers as Dan Burn et al will testify.

Newcastle’s defenders forgot their troubles – and reminded Forest of theirs – in the 43rd minute when a free-kick from the halfway was incompletely defended once more. Trippier launched it into the box for Sven Botman to head to his centre-back partner, Fabian Schär, to volley into the corner and suck the life out of the City Ground, although Hudson-Odoi brought it back in first-half stoppage time when his shot from the edge of the box deflected in off Lewis Miley to make it level at the break.

It is easy to forget that Hudson-Odoi is only 23 years old. He still has age on his side and is showing glimpses of his undoubted quality, especially when allowed to cut in from the left, since moving north to Nottingham from Chelsea.

Anthony Taylor was called into action when a long ball over the top from Sels was chased down by Taiwo Awoniyi. The striker struggled to get the ball under control and eventually went down after being caught first being caught by Botman’s boot and then the outstretched hands of Dubravka. Taylor did not award a penalty nor did VAR overturn his decision, much to the frustration and surprise of everyone in red, resulting in a member of the Forest coaching staff being booked.

Forest were still angry with officials for the non-penalty but they could only blame themselves for Guimarães’ second goal. Elanga was at fault as he played the ball from the edge of his own box straight to the Brazilian, who set himself up for the perfect shot into the corner from 20 yards.

Forest were unable to harness any potential feeling of injustice as Newcastle calmly coped with what they had to offer. Divock Origi was ineffectual after replacing Awoniyi in attack and Gio Reyna was unable to influence proceedings on his first City Ground outing. Nuno will be left to rue not getting the basics right but there is potential in his Forest team but they let themselves down and Newcastle were happy to accept the presents offered.