Newcastle United compounded Ange Postecoglou’s misery on Sunday with a 2-0 win over Nottingham Forest, while Everton ended Crystal Palace’s 19-game unbeaten run thanks to Jack Grealish’s late strike.
Postecoglou, who was appointed Forest boss in September, is under increasing pressure after failing to record a win in his first seven matches in charge. During Thursday’s 3-2 Europa League defeat to Midtjylland, Forest fans were already calling for his dismissal.
The Australian manager is now the first Forest coach in over a century to go seven games without a win, leaving his side in 17th place, the same position that saw him sacked by Tottenham at the end of last season despite a Europa League triumph. Club owner Evangelos Marinakis is reportedly weighing his options ahead of the international break.
Newcastle, who had won just once in their opening six league matches, found form through Bruno Guimaraes, who opened the scoring with a superb long-range strike in the 58th minute. The Brazilian then won a penalty after dispossessing former teammate Elliot Anderson inside the box. Nick Woltemade stepped up to convert from the spot, blasting home his fourth goal since joining from Stuttgart.
In another fixture, Everton ended Crystal Palace’s impressive unbeaten run with a 2-1 comeback victory at the Hill Dickinson Stadium. Palace had taken the lead through Daniel Muñoz, who finished off Ismaila Sarr’s precise pass after dominating the first half.
However, the Eagles began to fade in the second half, still feeling the effects of their midweek Conference League win over Dynamo Kyiv. Iliman Ndiaye drew Everton level from the penalty spot after Maxence Lacroix fouled Beto inside the area.
Jack Grealish then sealed the win for the Toffees, netting his first goal for the club in fortunate fashion when Muñoz’s clearance deflected off the Manchester City loanee into the roof of the net. The victory keeps Everton’s strong home form intact as they continue their climb up the table.
Elsewhere, Aston Villa secured their fourth win in 11 days by beating Burnley 2-1. Dutch forward Donyell Malen scored both goals for Villa — his first since April — while Lesley Ugochukwu pulled one back for the visitors. Burnley remain in the relegation zone.
Wolves, meanwhile, stayed bottom after a 1-1 draw with Brighton. An own goal by Brighton’s Bart Verbruggen initially gave Wolves the lead, but Jan Paul van Hecke’s late header rescued a point for the Seagulls. Manchester City were set to face Brentford later on Sunday, hoping to close the gap to leaders Arsenal.
AFP
