Magpies with a good start after overcoming stubborn newly promoted visitor

Centre-back Schar collected a loose ball on the edge of the box before unleashing a blistering effort into the net via the inside of the near post, similar to his goal against Burnley in February 2019.

Wilson put the game out of reach with a first-time flick over Dean Henderson and into the far corner from Joelinton’s cross 12 minutes from time.

The pressure on the visiting goal was relentless from the start, but despite their territorial dominance, Newcastle failed to seriously test Forest goalkeeper Henderson in the first half.

Before halftime, Joelinton came closest to a home breakthrough, dragging his shot wide from close range after a striding run from midfield.

Steve Cooper’s side failed to register a shot on goal but were denied an unlikely opener in the first half by Schar, who produced an outstanding block to deny Jesse Lingard inside the Newcastle area.

Forest’s league losing streak at St James’ Park now stands at seven games.

Newcastle’s summer recruitment has primarily focused on reinforcing defensive areas, with Sven Botman, Nick Pope, and Matt Targett – who had a successful loan spell at St James’ Park last season – joining Eddie Howe’s side.

Some Newcastle fans are concerned that they are still thin on the ground at the other end of the pitch – Chris Wood has only scored once from open play for the club, and Wilson has missed 31 of the Magpies’ 77 Premier League games due to injury since joining from Bournemouth in September 2020.

While Newcastle deserved the three points on Saturday, the hosts’ somewhat toothless first-half performance demonstrated why Howe is so eager to bolster his attacking options before the transfer window closes on September 1st.

Allan Saint-Maximin, Joelinton, and Bruno Guimaraes all attempted long-range shots but either shot too close to Henderson or, in the case of Guimaraes, failed to hit the target at all.

As Newcastle applied pressure in the second half, the tireless Joe Willock forced Henderson into a low save, before Saint-Maximin was denied again from close range by the Forest goalkeeper.

The longer the game went on, the more it appeared the Magpies would need a spark to break down Forest – and Schar delivered with a high-quality goal shortly before the hour mark.

Wilson had a quiet afternoon, but like all good strikers, he seized his opportunity and has now scored in the first game of four of the last five Premier League seasons.

While Nottingham Forest did not score, there was much to admire about the visitors’ attitude and work ethic at St James’ Park as they frustrated the home team for long periods.

They have a good chance of staying afloat this term if they can maintain their resilience throughout the campaign.