Anderson Equaliser Boost Forest Survival Hopes

Elliot Anderson’s late leveller against his former club Newcastle United edged Nottingham Forest closer to Premier League survival.

The midfielder – who left St James’ Park for the City Ground two years ago – equalised with three minutes left to lift Forest seven points clear of the relegation zone.

With two games left they will be safe if 18th-placed West Ham United lose at home to Arsenal later on Sunday, with Vitor Pereira close to completing his survival mission after replacing Sean Dyche in February.

Harvey Barnes’ strike looked set to keep Newcastle’s slim European hopes alive when the substitute pounced in the second half.

That briefly lifted the Magpies up to ninth but they now sit 13th in a disappointing season following last year’s fifth-place finish and Carabao Cup win.

William Osula went close for the Magpies when his free-kick hit the bar and Matz Sels spilled an earlier shot from Bruno Guimaraes, while Nick Pope’s second-half save from Taiwo Awoniyi thwarted Forest.

Barnes struck with 16 minutes remaining when he ran onto Jacob Ramsey’s pass and held off Morato to score but Anderson levelled when he collected James McAtee’s short pass and gave Pope no chance from close range.