'We didn't manage the game well' - Newcastle manager Eddie Howe not all smiles after win vs Nottingham Forest

Newcastle United's thrilling 4-3 victory over Nottingham Forest on Sunday may have been exciting for the fans, but not so much for the winning manager.

Eddie Howe expressed frustration with the way his team nearly blew a three-goal lead in the second half of a match that appeared to be over before halftime, stating that he wants his side to "do better."

The Magpies rode a rampant first half to the victory, after Forest's Callum Hudson-Odoi scored the game's first goal in the sixth minute. Newcastle responded through a Lewis Miley equaliser in the 23rd minute, a Jacob Murphy strike two minutes later followed by back-to-back goals by Alexander Isak in the 33rd and 34th minutes, respectively, to seemingly put the result beyond doubt.

However, Forest turned the tables in the second half as Nikola Milenkovic and Ryan Yates each found the back of the net for the visitors, making the home side sweat through stoppage time before the referee mercifully blew the final whistle on the seven-goal thriller. 

It was a level of dramatics that was unnecessary from Howe's point of view, although he said the result was the important important takeaway.

"I am trying to control my thoughts and stay positive," Howe told BBC Radio 5 Live. "We have won the game and that is what we needed to do. I thought it was a great performance in the first half and we were everything we weren't at Manchester City. We didn't manage the game well but overall we are happy with the win.

"It was always a difficult game and when they took the early lead you know you have an big task. I thought we were great with the ball and looked dynamic but then a couple of frailties showed in terms of defending set plays. When you win and you have things to improve, that is a good start point. That's what I'll take away from today.

"We can reflect on that [first] 45 minutes and there are things that we can do better. We pride ourselves on doing better and getting the details right."

 

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