The Magpies had defeated Forest away from home in each of the previous two seasons, but Nuno Espirito Santo's hosts have been a different prospect so far in this campaign.

Forest looked set for a fourth win in a row when Murillo nodded in his first career goal midway through the first half.

That opener was arguably harsh on Newcastle, though, and a deserved equaliser arrived nine minutes after half-time as Alexander Isak scored in a fourth consecutive match in all competitions.

Isak, who netted twice in a 2-1 win at Forest in March 2023, then turned provider for the second goal as Joelinton brilliantly beat Matz Sels, before substitute Harvey Barnes broke away to net the third.

Another victory, after last week's win against Arsenal, lifted Newcastle to within a point of Forest, which slipped to fifth after Chelsea and Arsenal drew 1-1 to leapfrog into third and fourth respectively with a point apiece.

Nuno acknowledged his side was taught a lesson by Newcastle, even if he did not criticise his side directly.

"I cannot say that was a bad performance, that is totally out of the question," the Forest boss said.

"We played against a very good team that was able to control us and then hurt us in the way we've been doing. It is a lesson for us to learn.

"I just have to recognise that today we played a good team, who were better than us in many, many moments.

"There's nothing to say about the [Forest] players. The character and belief was there."

Newcastle was a little unfortunate to trail at half-time, having had seven shots to Forest's three and 60 per cent of the possession.

Yet manager Eddie Howe still saw plenty of room for improvement, which his side delivered on after the restart.

"It was difficult, but we knew it would be," he said. "They are a difficult team to play against because they don't concede many chances and you're left fearing the worst when you go behind.

"We had work to do at half-time, but credit to the players because the second half was up there with our best performances this season.

"Everything we didn't do in the first half, we did at the start of the second half. We were intense and direct with our attacking. We asked more questions and could have scored.

"I'm really pleased with the second half."

Newcastle has won three in a row in all competitions for the first time in more than a year, helped by a return to form for its attacking stars.

Isak had netted only once this season before scoring in the past four successive matches, while Barnes again showed his quality from the bench. Six of his nine Newcastle goals have come as a substitute.

Howe added: "We need our attacking players to contribute goals, and Alex has done that in the past few weeks with massive moments, then Joelinton and Harvey Barnes pop up with moments, too.

"We know we have players who can make that difference, and I'm really pleased with that side of our game.

"Harvey Barnes did what he does. He's an outstanding player. Trying to find room for him in the team is something that I am conscious of.

"I'm really pleased he got that goal – I thought it was a fantastic finish."