Newcastle United through to Carabao Cup third round after nail biting penalty shootout

Newcastle United were unconvincing yet again as they scraped into the Carabao Cup third round at the expense of Nottingham Forest.

The Magpies took the lead 18 seconds into the game thanks to Joe Willock who only had to tap into an open goal after debutant Forest 'keeper Carlos Miguel could only parry Alexander Isak's shot into Willock's path.

Newcastle's joy was short-lived though when Joe Willock left the field on 15 minutes after picking up a knock. He crumpled to the floor after a challenge and went of for treatment. He tried to resume but was ultimately hooked for Bruno Guimaraes.

Fingers crossed it's nothing serious as he looked really bright from the off and Newcastle's performance severely dropped after he left the pitch.

For the third game in a row now, Newcastle started the game well and then fell asleep after the 15-minute mark and letting the opposition back into things, and Nottingham Forest's reserves - Nuno Espirito Santo made 10 changes to his starting lineup - gratefully accepted the Magpies' invitation to get back into the game.

Newcastle made it to half time with their slender lead but it was soon wiped off with Forest scoring five minutes into the second half after a long throw in was only cleared as far as Jack Grealish-ish, Jota Silva who rifled a shot into the top corner with more luck than skill ... although if you ask the Sky Sports commentators you'd think he was prime Messi.

It took 28 minutes of the second half before Newcastle had their first touch inside the opposition box after they suddenly remembered they weren't playing five-a-side rules.

The pressure got to Forest's reserves as they stepped up for spot kicks

Forest managed to weather the late storm from Newcastle, although, in truth, for all their possession and attacking momentum, the Mags never really created any good chances, relying on tame shots from distance.

The game went to penalties with Sky's commentators pointing out that Nottingham Forest hadn't lost a penalty shootout since 2006. Joelinton was the first to miss with the 6'8" Carlos Miguel guessing right and keeping out the Brazilian's spot kick. In fairness to Joey, it wasn't a bad penalty, just a good stop.

Fortunately, the pressure got to Forest's kick takers with Ibrahim Sangare hitting the bar followed by a dire penalty by Taiwo Awoniyi that knocked Elon Musk's Starlink satellites out of orbit.

Sean Longstaff stepped up for Newcastle's fifth spot kick and despatched it with purpose sending the Magpies into the hat for the third-round draw.

Newcastle's performances so far this season have been more reminiscent of the Steve Bruce days than Eddie Howe. The need for new players and new ideas is glaringly obvious.