Eddie Howe hoping for “turning point” after Newcastle United dispatch of Nottingham Forest

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Daniel Wales reports from St. James’ Park after Newcastle United defeated Nottingham Forest by two goals to nil, thanks to goals from Magpies’ captain Bruno Guimarães and forward Nick Woltemade, with Eddie Howe hoping for momentum to continue from this win.

Transcript

00:00Back-to-back wins for Newcastle United as they built on their victory in Brussels in midweek

00:06with a 2-0 triumph over Nottingham Forest at St James' Park,

00:10courtesy of second-half strikes from Bruno Guburayesh and Nick Valtemada,

00:14who dispatched from the penalty spot.

00:16A scrappy first half from the home side offered some encouragement to Nottingham Forest,

00:20who themselves had not won a match in any competition since the opening day of the Premier League season.

00:26Forest, though, given their recent slump, failed to take advantage.

00:30And lacked ideas before the half-time whistle came.

00:33It was, perhaps, a relief for both sides when it did,

00:36given the way that the first half had failed to spark into life.

00:39But would anyone be able to take the initiative in the second?

00:42Well, happily for all of those of a black and white persuasion,

00:45it was Newcastle who shifted into gear in the second 45,

00:49bombarding Forest's goal with numerous shots.

00:52Matt Sells certainly earned plaudits, but ultimately it was to no avail,

00:56as a curling effort from Newcastle's captain and a penalty from Valtemada were enough to win the points.

01:02Let's go back through the match to see how it unfolded at St James' Park.

01:06Joe Linton went closest for the hosts during the opening period of the match.

01:12He saw a shot saved by Matt Sells before a header a few minutes later palmed away by the Nottingham Forest keeper.

01:20Real moments of quality had been lacking from both sides, though,

01:23with the goalless scoreline at the break reflecting what had been seen on the pitch.

01:28Not long after the interval, Nick Valtemada was presented with an opportunity to open the scoring,

01:34but his shot from point-blank range was blocked.

01:37However, Newcastle soon took the lead, with Bruno Gimaraes curling home from just outside the box

01:43to leave Matt Sells with no chance.

01:46And after several other chances were spurned, Newcastle finally made it to when Nick Valtemada scored from the penalty spot

01:52after Elliot Anderson had brought down Bruno Gimaraes in the box.

01:56Eddie Howe then commented on how well Nick Valtemada is adapting to the pace of the Premier League.

02:02Yeah, I think he's definitely improved. I think there's more to come.

02:05I think today was his best physical look because I thought he was stronger in the second half

02:10and he was still going strong, really, when he came off the pitch.

02:14As an element, I still want to try and protect him and keep him fit

02:18and don't want to push him too hard where he breaks.

02:22But we can get him fitter.

02:23Again, we're probably doing that through the games at the moment rather than any training or extra training.

02:28So I think there's a lot more to come.

02:30And we know this team can feed on momentum. It's happened in the past.

02:33So how important was it to build on Wednesday night's win with another win today?

02:37It was huge. And I think we've done really well at building on winning streaks and runs

02:42and backing up performances with another one.

02:45That's what we're going to have to do to be successful this year.

02:47The competition is so difficult.

02:52The Premier League, I mean, Forrest came here today.

02:53They put a lot of men behind the ball. They made it very difficult.

02:56No one makes it easy for you.

02:57You still have to find a way to navigate that and end up winning the game.

03:00And we did. We hadn't done that enough at other stages this season.

03:04Hopefully that's a bit of a turning point for us.

03:06I expect to have a discussion with the owner and everyone else at the football club

03:12about sort of what we've embarked on here and where we're at and what we need to do for sure.

03:17Now, you know, if people want to make an assessment of me after three and a half weeks

03:22in which we've had six or seven games we've had, then there's nothing I can do about that.

03:27But at the same time, there's nothing wrong with things being tough.

03:31That's OK. It's not, you know, I've said in there and I'll say it a million times.

03:35I did have an option. I could have been sitting on the couch watching the game today

03:39and not be in the middle of it. You know, I'd rather be here. Much rather be here.

03:43I love a fight. Say it's a fight. Say it's a struggle. Say what? That's OK.

03:46Now, if people outside don't think I'm the right person or even internally don't think I'm,

03:52it makes no difference for me. That just, it's, I took this role on knowing it'll be a massive challenge.

03:58Newcastle needed that second Premier League win to go into the international break with.

04:03Not only for the points gained, but as Eddie Howe made clear to hopefully continue positive momentum

04:09that had begun in Belgium.

04:11In Nick Valtemada, they have a striker who is continuing to build not only his fitness,

04:16but his confidence too, with his fourth goal now scored for the club.

04:20Pressure, of course, remains on Ant-Postokoglu at Nottingham Forest,

04:24although he brushed it off and maintained a bold approach when questioned.

04:27The only concern for Newcastle now is injuries, with Tino Livramento, Lewis Hall and Johan Wisser

04:33all sidelined.

04:35None are likely to be back immediately after the break,

04:38and Howe will hope that those departing for their nations all come back unscathed.

04:42Have a good night.

04:43Have a good night.

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