11 mins: Shearer shot 1-0

Half time: Newcastle 1 Forest 0

88 mins: Shearer penalty  2-0

Full time: Newcastle 2 Forest 0

Ruud Gullit said:
 
On Paul Dalglish:

"He is young, he wants to show himself. And we know what his qualities are. If he manages to have more vision around him maybe Paul is going to have a good future. It is all part of the learning process for him at the moment."

Dave Bassett:

"We didn't get what we deserved - we'll probably play crap somewhere and win. That's the way it goes."
 

BBC website match report:

Alan Shearer's rich vein of goalscoring form continued as the Newcastle ace scored both goals to continue Forest's recent poor run.

The home side took a 10th-minute lead after a freak goal from the England striker.

Shearer was set free by a long clearance from goalkeeper Shay Given and the England striker rounded Dave Beasant before slotting the ball into an empty net for his sixth goal in four games.

He had earlier been spoken to by referee David Elleray for disputing two tight offside decisions in a minute, but Given caught the visitors napping and Shearer did the rest.

Forest manager Dave Bassett gave £1.5million signing Neil Shipperley his debut, while Chris Bart-Williams made his first appearance of the season in place of the injured Thierry Bonalair.

Newcastle left out Keith Gillespie, but David Batty was on the bench after missing the opening seven games of the campaign through suspension and an ankle problem, and Temuri Ketsbaia replaced Stephane Guivarc'h.

After 25 minutes Steve Stone broke inside and unleashed a cross that skied towards Given in the Newcastle goal. Given reacted late and struggled to push the ball onto the bar.

Six minutes later Jean-Claude D'archville was put through on goal after a defensive mistake but he fired his left-foot shot directly at Given.

Moments later Steve Chettle volleyed after a miss-timed corner clearance but the Newcastle keeper was equal to the task.

Forest did not start the second half with the same penetration that they had managed in the first period.

Ketsbaia went down in the box under the challenge of Alan Rogers on 58 minutes but Elleray turned down frenzied home appeals for a penalty.

The Georgian international was immediately replaced by Paul Dalglish, son of former boss Kenny, who was making only his second first team appearance and his home debut.

Charvet played a one-two with Stephen Glass and went on a barnstorming 80-yard run before flashing a drive narrowly over from just outside the Forest area.

Forest made their first change on 63 minutes, bringing on Andy Gray for Bart-Williams.

Shearer eventually fired Newcastle 2-0 up on 88 minutes, driving the ball home from the penalty spot after he had been upended by Rogers.

Newcastle are enjoying a renewed streak of good form under new boss Ruud Gullit - Forest need to raise their game or a return to Division 1 is on the cards.

Biffa