Newcastle hopes scorched by Forest’s fire

NEWCASTLE UNITED have become a gauge for the top flight ambitions of their Championship rivals. Labour against the Tynesiders, and you will struggle to compete with the promotion contenders; beat them, and the Premier League could be within reach.

Billy Davies, the Nottingham Forest manager, did not make any bold declarations after inflicting just Newcastle’s second defeat of the season on Saturday, but there was no shortage of encouraging signs for the Scot after his side’s sprightly performance against the title favourites.

Dexter Blackstock’s first-half goal, his sixth of the season, was enough to see Forest edge past their visitors as the Magpies conceded top spot in the table to West Bromwich Albion. The hosts, meanwhile, moved to seventh, although Davies was reluctant to set much store by the victory.