Fabian Schar's second-half effort was similar to the one he scored against Burnley in the Premier League in 2019
A Fabian Schar wonder goal and Callum Wilson's deft finish broke newly promoted Nottingham Forest's stubborn resistance as Newcastle opened their Premier League campaign with a deserved victory at St James' Park.
Centre-back Schar collected a loose ball on the edge of the box before sending a blistering effort into the net via the inside of the near post - a goal not dissimilar to the Switzerland international's strike against Burnley in February 2019.
Wilson put the result beyond doubt 12 minutes from time, directing a first-time flick over Dean Henderson and into the far corner from Joelinton's cross.
The pressure on the visitors' goal was relentless from the first minute, but for all Newcastle's territorial dominance they struggled to seriously test Forest goalkeeper Henderson in the first half.
Joelinton went closest to a breakthrough for the home side before half-time, dragging his shot wide from close range following a striding run from midfield.
Steve Cooper's side failed to register a shot on target but were denied an unlikely opener by Schar in the first half, the Magpies defender producing an outstanding block to deny Jesse Lingard inside the Newcastle area.
The result stretches Forest's losing league run at St James' Park to seven matches.
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Magpies' patience pays off
As was the case back in January, Newcastle's summer recruitment has focused primarily on reinforcing defensive areas, with Sven Botman, Nick Pope and Matt Targett - who enjoyed a successful loan spell at St James' Park last season - joining Eddie Howe's side.
The concern among some Newcastle fans is that they remain thin on the ground at the other end of the pitch - Chris Wood has scored just once from open play for the club, while Wilson has missed 31 of the Magpies' 77 Premier League games through injury since signing from Bournemouth in September 2020.
While Newcastle thoroughly deserved the three points on Saturday, the hosts' somewhat toothless first-half performance highlighted why Howe is so keen to bolster his attacking options before the transfer window closes on 1 September.
Allan Saint-Maximin, Joelinton and Bruno Guimaraes all tried their luck from distance but either shot too close to Henderson or - in Guimaraes' case - failed to hit the target altogether.
The tireless Joe Willock forced Henderson into a low save as Newcastle continued to apply pressure in the second half, before Saint-Maximin was thwarted again by the Forest goalkeeper from close range.
The longer the game went on, the more it seemed the Magpies would require a moment of inspiration to break down Forest - and Schar duly obliged with a goal of the highest quality shortly before the hour mark.
Wilson had a quiet afternoon but, like all good strikers, he took his chance with aplomb when it arrived and has now scored in the opening game in four of the past five Premier League seasons.
While Nottingham Forest failed to register a shot on target, there was much to admire about the visitors' attitude and work-ethic at St James' Park as they frustrated the home team for long spells.
If they can maintain that resilience throughout the campaign, they stand a good chance of keeping their heads above water this term.
Player of the match
Bruno GuimarãesBruno Guimarães
with an average of 7.57
- NewcastleNewcastle UnitedNewcastle UnitedNottm ForestNottingham ForestNottingham Forest
Newcastle UnitedAvgSquad number39Player nameBruno GuimarãesAverage rating
7.57
Squad number5Player nameSchärAverage rating
7.45
Squad number4Player nameBotmanAverage rating
7.38
Squad number9Player nameWilsonAverage rating
7.35
Squad number7Player nameJoelintonAverage rating
7.33
Squad number10Player nameSaint-MaximinAverage rating
7.20
Squad number2Player nameTrippierAverage rating
7.18
Squad number24Player nameAlmirónAverage rating
7.07
Squad number33Player nameDan BurnAverage rating
7.01
Squad number21Player nameFraserAverage rating
7.00
Squad number36Player nameS LongstaffAverage rating
6.97
Squad number28Player nameJoe WillockAverage rating
6.94
Squad number13Player nameMatt TargettAverage rating
6.90
Squad number22Player nameNick PopeAverage rating
6.81
Squad number23Player nameMurphyAverage rating
6.80
Squad number20Player nameWoodAverage rating
6.65
Nottingham ForestAvgSquad number7Player nameN WilliamsAverage rating
6.02
Squad number1Player nameHendersonAverage rating
5.82
Squad number26Player nameMcKennaAverage rating
5.80
Squad number20Player nameJohnsonAverage rating
5.73
Squad number4Player nameWorrallAverage rating
5.54
Squad number19Player nameNiakhatéAverage rating
5.50
Squad number14Player nameO'BrienAverage rating
5.50
Squad number16Player nameSurridgeAverage rating
5.48
Squad number8Player nameColbackAverage rating
5.46
Squad number15Player nameToffoloAverage rating
5.38
Squad number5Player nameMangalaAverage rating
4.74
Squad number9Player nameAwoniyiAverage rating
4.71
Squad number17Player nameMightenAverage rating
4.56
Squad number11Player nameLingardAverage rating
4.27
- Line-upsMatch StatsLive Text
Line-upsNewcastle
Formation 4-3-3
22Pope2Trippier5Schär33Burn13Targett28Willock39Guimarães Rodriguez Moura7Joelinton24Almirón9Wilson10Saint-Maximin
- 22Pope2Trippier5Schär33Burn13Targett28WillockSubstituted forS Longstaffat 80'minutes39Guimarães Rodriguez MouraSubstituted forBotmanat 90+3'minutes7Joelinton24AlmirónSubstituted forFraserat 81'minutes9WilsonSubstituted forWoodat 90'minutes10Saint-MaximinSubstituted forMurphyat 90'minutes
Substitutes
- 1Dúbravka3Dummett4Botman11Ritchie20Wood21Fraser23Murphy32Anderson36S Longstaff
Nottm Forest
Formation 5-3-2
1Henderson7N Williams4Worrall19Niakhaté26McKenna15Toffolo14O'Brien8Colback11Lingard20Johnson16Surridge
- 1Henderson7N WilliamsBooked at 23mins4WorrallBooked at 15mins19NiakhatéSubstituted forMightenat 83'minutes26McKenna15Toffolo14O'BrienBooked at 56minsSubstituted forMangalaat 75'minutes8Colback11Lingard20Johnson16SurridgeSubstituted forAwoniyiat 63'minutes
Substitutes
- 2Biancone5Mangala6Mbe Soh9Awoniyi13Hennessey17Mighten18Ribeiro Dias33Taylor41Hammond
Referee:Simon HooperAttendance:52,245Match StatsHome TeamNewcastleAway TeamNottm ForestPossessionHome62%Away38%ShotsHome23Away5Shots on TargetHome10Away0CornersHome11Away1FoulsHome9Away14Live TextPost update
Match ends, Newcastle United 2, Nottingham Forest 0.
90'+4'Full Time
Second Half ends, Newcastle United 2, Nottingham Forest 0.
90'+3'Substitution
Substitution, Newcastle United. Sven Botman replaces Bruno Guimarães.
90'+2'Post update
Foul by Chris Wood (Newcastle United).
90'+2'Post update
Joe Worrall (Nottingham Forest) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
90'+1'Post update
Fabian Schär (Newcastle United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
90'+1'Post update
Foul by Taiwo Awoniyi (Nottingham Forest).
90'Substitution
Substitution, Newcastle United. Jacob Murphy replaces Allan Saint-Maximin.
90'Substitution
Substitution, Newcastle United. Chris Wood replaces Callum Wilson.
86'Post update
Foul by Matt Targett (Newcastle United).
86'Post update
Alex Mighten (Nottingham Forest) wins a free kick on the right wing.
85'Post update
Attempt missed. Callum Wilson (Newcastle United) left footed shot from the left side of the six yard box is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by Sean Longstaff.
84'Post update
Attempt missed. Allan Saint-Maximin (Newcastle United) right footed shot from the left side of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Ryan Fraser.
83'Substitution
Substitution, Nottingham Forest. Alex Mighten replaces Moussa Niakhaté.
81'Substitution
Substitution, Newcastle United. Ryan Fraser replaces Miguel Almirón.
80'Substitution
Substitution, Newcastle United. Sean Longstaff replaces Joe Willock.
80'Post update
Matt Targett (Newcastle United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
80'Post update
Foul by Brennan Johnson (Nottingham Forest).
78'goalGoal!
Goal! Newcastle United 2, Nottingham Forest 0. Callum Wilson (Newcastle United) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the high centre of the goal. Assisted by Joelinton.
77'Post update
Attempt saved. Miguel Almirón (Newcastle United) left footed shot from a difficult angle on the right is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Bruno Guimarães.
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Source: bbc.com