Newcastle's Bruno Guimarães hits a brace to sink Nottingham Forest | first division

“People always talk about space, but they forget that you can get lost in space.” Bruno Guimarães, however, does not share Alan Partridge's mantra and takes advantage of the hectares that it offers him Nottingham Forest He scored twice to help Newcastle to their fourth consecutive away win in all competitions.

The Brazilian knew exactly where he was when he escaped to the far post to score the first goal and completed the scoring in a frantic match when he was gifted the ball in a gulf between the Forest defense and midfield just outside the area, giving him time to choose their place, as the hosts succumbed to their sixth home defeat in seven games that left them two points above the relegation zone, amid the uncertainty generated by the first division charge, that could result in a deduction.

Newcastle were in control of the early stages and Sean Longstaff tested Matz Sels with a low shot that went wide and then kicked the resulting corner behind. Goalkeeping has been a serious problem for Forest this season, home debutant Sels was the third to start a Premier League match, but another key problem is their inability to defend set pieces, conceding 13 goals before Saturday at night, something Newcastle were keen to do. most of. Miguel Almirón played a short corner for Kieran Trippier, changing the angle of the cross, which he delivered as planned to the far post, where Guimarães had the freedom of the City Ground to volley the first goal.

Nuno Espírito Santo's side are built to play on the counter-attack, using the pace of wingers Anthony Elanga and Callum Hudson-Odoi, who were able to recognize the lack of sprint power in Newcastle's back four. Newcastle's defense was cut open by Morgan Gibbs-White, Elanga showing his speed to beat the onrushing Martin Dubravka, toeing it into the net from 20 yards for his fifth goal of the season . Amid Forest's somewhat scattershot approach to the transfer market, the Swede was a smart summer signing from Manchester United; He may not have perfect technique, but he has quickly become one of the most effective wingers in the league, as Dan Burn et al will attest.

Newcastle's defenders forgot their problems (and reminded Forest of theirs) in the 43rd minute, when a free kick from midfield was incompletely defended once again. Trippier lofted it into the box for Sven Botman to turn to his centre-back partner Fabian Schär to volley into the corner and suck the life out of the City Ground, although Hudson-Odoi recovered in first-half stoppage time when his shot from the edge of the area deflected off Lewis Miley to level the score at half-time.

It's easy to forget that Hudson-Odoi is only 23 years old. He still has age on his side and is showing flashes of his undoubted quality, especially when allowed to attack from the left, since he moved north to Nottingham from Chelsea.

Anthony Taylor was called into action when Taiwo Awoniyi chased a long ball over Sels. The striker struggled to control the ball and eventually fell after being caught first by Botman's boot and then by Dubravka's outstretched hands. 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 cautioned.

Forest were still angry with the referees for the penalty miss, but had only themselves to blame for Guimarães' second goal. Elanga was at fault as he passed the ball from the edge of his own area directly to the Brazilian, who prepared himself for the perfect shot into the corner from 20 yards.

Forest were unable to capitalize on any potential feelings of injustice as Newcastle calmly dealt with what they had to offer. Divock Origi was ineffective after replacing Awoniyi in attack and Gio Reyna was unable to influence proceedings in his first outing at the City Ground. Nuno will regret not getting the basics right, but there is potential in his Forest team, but they were disappointed and Newcastle were happy to accept the gifts offered.