The debate over Dan Burn’s worth to Newcastle – Geordie totem or giant tortoise – was reignited in the 26th minute when Anthony Elanga embarrassed him for pace to equalise for Forest.
The former Manchester United forward arced his run from the right in between Burn and Sven Botman, took Morgan Gibbs-White’s pass in his stride and flambeed the defensive cover before finishing expertly.
Nine minutes earlier Burn had been comprehensively outpaced by Elanga as he latched onto Nicolas Dominguez’s flick but goalkeeper Martin Dubravka was smartly off his line to ride to the rescue.
A season is a long ride and ‘Dan the Man’ who scored against PSG on a heady Champions League night in October has more of a look of Desperate Dan at the moment.
Forest, playing predominantly on the break, looked the more incisive side at this point but their defence switched off in a costly fashion in the 43rd minute.
A long, looping free-kick from Trippier caused unexpected confusion, Botman shifted the ball across the penalty area and his central defensive partner Fabian Schar buried it into the net to restore Newcastle’s lead.
But it was 2-2 before the half was out as Callum Hudson-Odoi cut in off his wing, exchanged passes with Dominguez, and unleashed a shot from the edge of the area which took a cruel deflection off Newcastle teenager Lewis Miley to leave Dubravka stranded.