Nottingham Forest vs Newcastle, live! Score, updates, how to watch ...

Newcastle took all three points, and a massive step toward a top-four finish, as Alexander Isak bagged a brace to give the Magpies a 2-1 victory over Nottingham Forest at the City Ground on Friday.

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The victory puts Newcastle (47 points – 5th place) just one point behind 4th-place Tottenham with a game in hand (and a head-to-head meeting still to come, on April 23). Nottingham Forest (26 points), meanwhile, remain 13th and just two points above the relegation zone with 11 games left to play.

It was all Newcastle early, with Renan Lodi nearly putting the ball into his own net as the Magpies nearly flawlessly executed a clever set-piece routine in the 12th minute, but they failed to break through and were made to pay for it just before the half-hour mark.

Newcastle defender Sven Botman played a blind ball to Forest’s Emmanuel Dennis, as the Nigerian international intercepted the back pass meant for goalkeeper Nick Pope. Dennis couldn’t get a shot away initially, but he eventually found a narrow window through which to float the ball over Pope and just clear of Botman’s head for the opening goal.

It took nearly 47 minutes, but Newcastle finally got their just reward for all of their attacking intent. Isak somehow got a foot to Joe Willock’s cross, which found Isak but dropped uncomfortably behind the Swedish striker, and angled it off the inside of the far post as the final seconds of first-half stoppage time ticked away.

WATCH NOTTINGHAM FOREST vs NEWCASTLE FULL MATCH REPLAY

The scoreboard read 2-1 to Newcastle for nearly four minutes as a lengthy video review was undertaken in the 64th minute. Elliot Anderson appeared to have put the Magpies ahead after heading home a cross from Isak, but Sean Longstaff was ruled in an offside position as the ball pinballed around the penalty are prior to the cross.

Newcastle United thought they took the lead. But Longstaff is found to have been offside and the goal is disallowed.

????: @USANetwork #MyPLMorning | #NFONEW pic.twitter.com/mweUCRWvvt

— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) March 17, 2023

Just as he did in the first half, Isak struck once again in stoppage time after his header came off the arm of Moussa Niakhate inside the penalty area. Newcastle’s club-record signing stepped to the penalty spot, sent Keylor Navas one way and hammered the ball the other.

Next time out in the Premier League, Newcastle will host 3rd-place Manchester United 50 points) on Sunday (11:30 am ET) with a chance to go level on points with the Red Devils and perhaps leapfrog Spurs, should results go their way. Nottingham Forest will be back at the City Ground to host 13th-place Wolves (27 points) on Saturday (10 am ET).

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Kick off: 4pm ET, Friday
TV Channel: USA Network
Online: Stream via NBCSports.com

Forest has kept just one clean sheet since the calendar turned to February and that was against finish-challenged Leeds United. Forest boss Steve Cooper would normally look to Brennan Johnson, but the striker is questionable for the match. Chris Wood and Taiwo Awoniyi are out, too. Can Emmanuel Dennis lead the line if needed?

Newcastle got another goal from Miguel Almiron to beat Wolves, and Eddie Howe will hope this means the start of another hot streak for the Paraguayan. Meanwhile, the show’s been all about Bruno Guimaraes in the midfield and Sven Botman at the back. But can Nick Pope get over his possession foibles? The incredible shot stopper has been collecting gaffes the past month or so.

OUT: Taiwo Awoniyi (groin), Chris Wood (thigh), Scott McKenna (thigh), Willy Boly (thigh), Dean Henderson (thigh), Giulian Biancone (knee), Omar Richards (calf) | QUESTIONABLE: Brennan Johnson (groin), Cheickou Kouyate (thigh), Wayne Hennessey (knee)

???? Four changes from #TOTNFO.
???? Moussa returns to the XI.
???? Brennan's fit to start.

Introducing your #NFFC side to face @NUFC.

???? #NFONEW pic.twitter.com/pW6OH7n7DM

— Nottingham Forest FC (@NFFC) March 17, 2023

OUT: Joelinton (suspension), Anthony Gordon (ankle), Emil Krafth (knee), Ryan Fraser (undisclosed)

An unchanged starting XI. ????

HOWAY NEWCASTLE! ⚫️⚪️ pic.twitter.com/nwScOBMezO

— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) March 17, 2023

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Patrick Vieira has been fired as manager of Crystal Palace amid an 11-game winless skid dating back to the start of 2023, the club confirmed on Friday.

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Vieira was appointed to replace the retired Roy Hodgson ahead fo the 2021-22 season, in which the Frenchman guided Crystal Palace to a 12th-place finish. Under-21 head coach Paddy McCarthy will take charge of Sunday’s clash with Premier League leaders Arsenal (10 am ET).

It is an interesting time to change managers, to say the least, with Crystal Palace sitting in 12th place in the Premier League table (11 games left to play), yet the Eagles are only three points above the bottom-three as a measly five points separate last-place Southampton and Palace at the top of the relegation battle.

[ MORE: Ranking Premier League Player of the Season candidates ]

Crystal Palace have scored just 21 goals in 27 Premier League games this season (4th-fewest, behind Wolves, Everton and Southampton, all of whom have scored 20), and only Bournemouth (22.1) rank lower in xG (24.0 for Palace). Defensively, no side currently in the bottom half of the table has conceded fewer goals (34).

"Vieira's relationship with the hierarchy was not so great."@David_Ornstein gives us a behind the scenes look at why Crystal Palace fired Vieira and who could take over the manager position.#MyPLMorning | #CPFC pic.twitter.com/8rRyVWMk4a

— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) March 17, 2023

“It is with enormous regret that this difficult decision has been made. Ultimately, results in recent months have placed us in a precarious league position and we felt a change is necessary to give us the best chance of retaining Premier League status.

“That said, Patrick’s impact since joining us in the summer of 2021 has been significant, and he is held in the highest regard by myself, and all of his colleagues. He led the team to a Wembley FA Cup semi-final and respectable 12th placed finish last season playing some exciting football, which was a challenging and crucial campaign for the club given the changes we made to the squad prior to his arrival.

“Patrick has given his all to the club, and we all thank him and his team for their service.”

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It’s back to the Premier League title fight for Arsenal after midweek Europa League action, and an old friend is coming into the visitors entrance with Crystal Palace at the Emirates Stadium (watch live, 10am ET Sunday on USA Network and online via NBCSports.com).

Patrick Vieira could really use a win for his Palace on Sunday, while Arsenal is planning on another three point in pursuit of an unpredictable Premier League crown.

STREAM LIVE ARSENAL vs CRYSTAL PALACE

Arsenal has 66 points and can grow its table lead over Man City to eight points with a win as Man City deals with FA Cup commitments.

Palace hasn’t won in the league this year and sits 12th with 27 points following a midweek loss to Brighton and Hove Albion in the M23 derby.

Here’s everything you need to know ahead of Arsenal vs Crystal Palace.

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Kick off: 10am ET, Sunday
TV Channel: USA Network
Online: Stream via NBCSports.com

Gabriel Jesus started Thursday in the Europa League, so it’s easy to predict a depth flex from the Gunners on Sunday rather than another start for their just-fit star. Leandro Trossard, Martin Odegaard, Ben White, Thomas Partey, and Bukayo Saka were kept on the bench at the start versus Sporting Lisbon, but the Gunners going 120 minutes certainly will challenge them.

Palace is going to hope to get something out of Wilfried Zaha here. He’s looked more like a red card candidate lately but we all know an in-form Zaha is electric. Michael Olise and Eberechi Eze will look like even better playmakers once Zaha starts punching home some goals.

OUT: Eddie Nketiah (ankle), Takehiro Tomiyasu (knee), Mohamed Elneny (knock) | QUESTIONABLE: William Saliba (back)

OUT: Albert Sambi Lokonga (loan – parent club), Vicente Guaita (hamstring), Sam Johnstone (calf) | QUESTIONABLE: Will Hughes (illness), James McArthur (illness), Nathan Ferguson (undisclosed)

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Southampton host Tottenham at St Mary’s on Saturday in a huge game for both teams as they’re scrapping away to reach their target.

STREAM LIVE SOUTHAMPTON v TOTTENHAM

Ruben Selles saw his Saints side put in a limp performance as they lost 2-0 at home to Brentford on Wednesday and missed the chance to climb out of the relegation zone for the first time since November. Southampton are just two points from safety heading into this game but time is running out for the Saints to save themselves and they have a very tough remaining schedule.

Tottenham are hanging in the top four battle and after winning three of their last four games in the Premier League they are in fourth place. They have a four-point cushion over fifth-place Newcastle but the latter have two games in-hand over Spurs. Antonio Conte’s future remains up in the air and Harry Kane and Co. are in a familiar last-season scramble to qualify for the UEFA Champions League as another trophyless season has arrived for Tottenham.

[ MORE: How to watch Premier League in USA ] 

Here’s everything you need for Southampton vs Tottenham.

Kick off: 11am ET, Saturday
TV Channel: USA Network
Online: Stream via NBCSports.com

Saints are scrapping away and recent wins against Chelsea and Leicester, plus a draw at Manchester United, has given them hope of staying up. They have been terrible at home this season though, winning just twice and they have the worst home record in the Premier League. They have also scored just twice in their five league games under Ruben Selles and although they are improving defensively, there is a real lack of quality in the final third.

Tottenham are relying on Harry Kane to once again propel them to a top four finish and even Heung-min Son was on the scoresheet last week as they beat Nottingham Forest comfortably. Conte has shown signs he is willing to take more risks in attack and Richarlison took his chance to start last weekend. It will be intriguing to see how Conte sets Spurs up as they are heavy favorites against Southampton.

OUT: Valentino Livramento (knee), Juan Larios (adductor) | QUESTIONABLE: Kyle Walker-Peters (hamstring), Ainsley Maitland-Niles (undisclosed)

OUT: Rodrigo Bentancur (torn ACL – out for season), Hugo Lloris (knee), Yves Bissouma (foot), Ryan Sessegnon (thigh)

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High-flying Brentford host struggling Leicester at the Gtech Community Stadium on Saturday as the Bees are chasing their European dreams.

STREAM LIVE BRENTFORD v LEICESTER

Thomas Frank’s side beat Southampton 2-0 in midweek to get back to winning ways. They were on a 12-game unbeaten run before their shock defeat at Everton last weekend but Ivan Toney grabbed a goal and an assist against Saints to keep Brentford in the hunt for European qualification. The Bees actually have a chance of challenging for a top four finish. Remarkable.

Leicester City would love to be in that position but this season Brendan Rodgers is watching on in horror as the Foxes have been sucked back into the relegation scrap. Their talented squad is struggling for confidence and they’ve lost four straight games, including a home battering against Chelsea last weekend. They’re only out of the bottom three on goal difference heading into this weekend.

Here’s everything you need for Brentford vs Leicester.

Kick off: 11am ET, Saturday
TV Channel: Peacock
Online: Stream via Peacock Premium

This Brentford fairytale shows no signs of ending anytime soon. Ivan Toney continues to bang in the goals, they are so tough to play against and the job Thomas Frank has done makes him a serious contender for Premier League manager of the season. The Bees are full of confidence, play with no fear and are incredible at home. The west London side have such a small budget and continue to punch well above their weight.

Leicester are in freefall and all season long they’ve been a very streaky team. At the moment they are relying heavily on James Maddison to drag them out of trouble but he can’t do it all on his own. Defensively they are making big mistakes and they are being overrun in midfield and their strikers aren’t finishing the chances Maddison is creating. All of that adds up to big problems for the Foxes. Surely they have too much quality to go down? Maybe not.

OUT: Kristoffer Ajer (calf), Vitaly Janelt (knee), Keane Lewis-Potter (knee), Thomas Strakosha (ankle) | QUESTIONABLE: Mads Roerslev (thigh)

OUT: Ryan Bertrand (knee), James Justin (achilles), Youri Tielemans (ankle), Wout Faes (suspension), Jannik Vestergaard (undisclosed) | QUESTIONABLE: Victor Kristiansen (ankle), Jonny Evans (undisclosed)

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