Eddie Howe admits even he was SURPRISED Alexander Isak took Newcastle's winning penalty on Friday

When Kieran Trippier took the ball and put it in a spot kick after Newcastle were awarded a late penalty against Nottingham Forest, even Eddie Howe was baffled because Alexander Isak was his penalty taker.

‘I want to take the credit because it’s so beautiful,’ says Howe. ‘Kieran got the ball, so I was a bit confused, but it was good to see Alex take it well. That’s the mark of Kieran – I thought he was brilliant,’ added Howe.

It was another sign of Trippier’s leadership on the pitch and how important he is to Newcastle’s push for a Champions League spot. The Newcastle skipper had 92 touches on Friday night – more than anyone else, as he bombed up and down the flank, before taking the initiative to take responsibility to ensure Isak was unaffected by any of the mind games of Forest.

Even Sky Sports was fooled by Trippier’s reverse dark arts in injury time. They put a graphic on the screen showing Trippier’s previous spot kicks but the full-back glared at Forest keeper Keylor Navas and after Navas was booked for time wasting, Trippier grinned and casually stepped back .

Isak stepped up to send Navas the wrong way and send the Newcastle fans into ecstasy.

Newcastle beat Nottingham Forest 2-1 thanks to an injury time penalty from Alexander Isak

Isak headed home to send the Newcastle fans into raptures after Kieran Trippier originally picked up the ball and slotted it into the post in an attempt to disrupt Nottingham Forest

As the traveling Toon army moved their celebrations from the banks of the River Trent to city center bars, Trippier emerged from the changing rooms and spoke about how much he was enjoying his time in Newcastle.

Let’s not underestimate how big this win is. They’re a tough side and it’s not an easy place to be,’ said Trippier. ‘We believe we can do something special. It’s honestly one of the best groups I’ve ever been in – the togetherness, no egos, a really hard-working team and that comes from the manager. We’re fit as a fiddle and the lads will give everything,’ he added.

For Trippier, the moment of genius at the end was simply a matter of letting the Newcastle star focus on the task at hand.

‘I said to Alex “I’ll hold the ball and you just zone in and get into the moment. Do your normal routine and I’ll do all the pressure. I want you to be as calm as possible.” Little details like that help and he put it in,’ said Trippier.

It was a sixth goal for Isak in his seventh Premier League start for Newcastle and the Swede showed exactly why Newcastle made him their record summer signing. In so many games this season, Newcastle have been in control but have failed to make it count due to a lack of ferocity in the final third. But in Isak, who has kept Callum Wilson out of the starting eleven in recent weeks, is someone of that quality in front of goal. His first goal was well taken and he was denied a delightful assist due to VAR.

‘It was difficult for Alex (with injuries) but he took his chance. His ability at such a young age is scary,’ Trippier added.

Long after the final whistle on Friday night, Newcastle fans were still singing. ‘This is the best trip I’ve ever been on, I don’t want to go home’

Continue where they are going and there will be trips across Europe next year. In the early hours of Saturday morning, Newcastle flew to Dubai for a warm weather training camp, knowing that with 12 games to go, their fate rested entirely in their hands. Next. Manchester United at home.

Trippier insists the Newcastle squad believe they can do something special this season

Eddie Howe’s side are now two points clear of fourth-placed Tottenham with two games in hand