Newcastle edge nearer the Premier League

Newcastle United 2 Notts Forest 0

AT THE end of an evening when Tyneside was lashed by driving rain, Newcastle United sighted a long-awaited rainbow. Thanks to a sublime goal from Shola Ameobi and Jose Enrique’s stoppage-time second Chris Hughton’s side require a maximum of two more wins to guarantee a return to the Premier League.

Defeat, their seventh in succession on the road, was a devastating blow for Nottingham Forest. Billy Davies’s side seem certain to have to settle for a play-off place after Ameobi stepped off the substitutes’ bench to break the deadlock before conjuring Enrique’s strike.

Newcastle created the game’s first chance when Andy Carroll thumped in a firm volley from Wayne Routledge’s cross to force goalkeeper Lee Camp into a good 12th-minute save.

Generally, Newcastle were finding Forest, re-configured into a 4-5-1 formation by Davies, tougher-than-usual opponents. Perhaps frustrated at not getting it all his own way Danny Guthrie was fortunate to escape unpunished after a nasty studs-up tackle on Chris Gunter on an edgy, intensely competitive evening.

Although Forest’s containment game dictated Steve Harper had a very quiet first half in Newcastle’s goal, Perch’s excellence ensured that Jonas Gutierrez was unable to exert his usual influence on the left wing. Forest enjoyed a rare chance at the start of the second half but, having met Chris Cohen’s fine cross, the unmarked Nathan Tyson headed straight at Harper.

Soon afterwards Shola Ameobi replaced Carroll who was nursing an ankle knock. By now Forest were beginning to shed their attacking inhibitions. Although Harper had yet to make a difficult save, Newcastle suddenly had Jose Enrique and Fabricio Coloccini to thank for a couple of pieces of smart defending.

Finally restored to fitness, Ameobi swiftly silenced Forest optimism. Receiving a pass from Kevin Nolan his first touch was true and, switching feet he spun sublimely, stealing half a yard on his markers. Having refined his shooting angle Ameobi proceeded to beat Camp with a stunning low shot which flew in off a post.

Ameobi’s brilliant back-heel then created Enrique’s goal – a fine strike, executed, astonishingly by the excellent left-back’s right foot.

• Guardian Service

NEWCASTLE:Harper, Simpson, Coloccini, Williamson, Jose Enrique, Routledge, Guthrie, Nolan, Gutierrez, Lovenkrands (Barton 90), Carroll (Ameobi 48). Subs Not Used: Krul, Ryan Taylor, Best, Butt, Kadar. Booked: Jose Enrique.

NOTTM FOREST:Camp, Perch, Wilson, Morgan, Gunter, Anderson, Moussi, Cohen, Tyson (McCleary 69), Majewski (Earnshaw 72), Blackstock (McGoldrick 77). Subs Not Used: Smith, Chambers, McGugan, Adebola. Booked: Morgan, Wilson, McCleary.

Referee:Alan Wiley (Staffordshire).