Emmanuel Dennis ends five-month goal drought for Nottingham Forest

Emmanuel Dennis scored a brilliant first-half goal for Nottingham Forest to end his five-month goal drought, finding the net in a 2-1 defeat against Newcastle on Saturday.

Before the clash with the Magpies, the Nigeria international was yet to find the target this season, having fired blank in 12 matches but eventually broke the jinx to his unfortunate record for the English topflight outfit.

Newcastle dominated possession in the early stages, forcing the forest players back and trying hard to find an opening but the hosts who took the lead in the 26th-minute courtesy of Dennis who calmly fired past Nick Pope.

A long ball up the pitch was poorly dealt with by Sven Botman, allowing Dennis to pounce and show remarkable strength before producing an exquisite chip past Nick Pope.

On the stroke of half-time, Newcastle leveled matters through Alexander Isak who beat Keylor Navas after profiting from Joseph Willock’s assist.

In the second half, Elliott Anderson thought he had put Newcastle in front just after the hour mark in what would have been his first-ever goal for the club but after a lengthy VAR review, it was ruled out for an offside in the build-up.

Eddie Howe’s men continued to push for goals – and in the closing minutes of the keen contest affair, they were awarded a penalty after Moussa Niakhate handled the ball in his area.

Isak then stepped up to earn his brace as he calmly slotted the ball, and sealed a vital three points in Newcastle’s pursuit of the top four.