Source: Daily_Mail
Nottm Forest 1 Newcastle 0: Toon knocked off top spot by Dexter Blackstock
Newcastle were knocked off the top of the Championship in a thrilling match at the City Ground when Dexter Blackstock's first-half goal put Forest to the brink of the play-off places with a fourth successive win.[LNB]The league leaders, who needed to avoid defeat to stay on top, had found themselves under pressure from the start as Forest tore into them.[LNB] Lock, stock: Dexter Blackstock scores for Forest[LNB] Shay Given has given defence a ton of confidence, says City boss HughesSunderland boss Bruce considers ITV future after Becks backlash Using the speed of Nathan Tyson and Paul Anderson down the flanks, Billy Davies's side were a constant threat and the lead they gained moments before the interval was no less than they deserved.[LNB]A sign of Newcastle's anxiety came as early as the third minute when skipper Alan Smith was booked for needlessly kicking the ball away at a free-kick. Almost immediately, keeper Steve Harper had to be at his sharpest to claw away a header from Blackstock, and Forest's leading scorer was even closer when his thumping header from Radoslaw Majewski's corner hit a post.[LNB]Newcastle were struggling to get out of their own half and there was precious little support for front men Andy Carroll and Marlon Harewood, playing against his former club. Carroll did manage to work an opening for a shot which was deflected wide and there was almost a shock Newcastle goal when Ryan Taylor's diagonal free-kick bounced through a mass of bodies beyond a deceived keeper Lee Camp and hit a post before being cleared.[LNB]But this was a rare diversion from Forest's attacking force. Tyson hooked a fierce volley wide, Blackstock headed over after excellent work by full-back Chris Gunter and Anderson shot wide after bursting into the penalty area.[LNB]Just when it seemed Newcastle would hang on until the interval, Majewski split the visitors' back line for Blackstock to keep calm and roll his shot past the advancing Harper into the bottom comer, leaving caretaker boss Chris Hughton with a tough job on his hands to inspire his outplayed team in his half-time talk.[LNB]Newcastle were close to an equaliser when Blackstock almost put the ball into his own net, only to be saved by Kelvin Wilson's clearance and the visitors thought they had equalised when Kevin Nolan turned in the ball in from close range after Smith had flicked on a cross from Taylor, but referee Paul Taylor ruled the effort offside. [LNB] [LNB] Explore more:People:Billy Davies, Ryan Taylor, Kevin Nolan, Paul Anderson, Dexter Blackstock, Marlon Harewood, Paul Taylor, Lee CampPlaces:Newcastle
