Newcastle fans fume at Nuno Espirito Santo after spotting what Nottingham Forest manager did at end of 4-3 thriller
NEWCASTLE fans have called out Nottingham Forest boss Nuno Santo for “sour grapes” after a dramatic contest at St James Park.
Alexander Isak scored twice for Eddie Howe’s Toon in a rollercoaster 4-3 win on Sunday afternoon.
Forest took an early lead through Callum Hudson-Odoi but proceeded to collapse in spectacular fashion.
Nuno‘s men conceded four goals in just ELEVEN barmy first-half minutes – before almost staging an unlikely fightback after the break.
Newcastle fans were adamant the Portuguese boss – recently named the most-loved in the Prem – snubbed his opposite number Howe for a handshake at full-time.
Sky cameras showed Howe walking towards the Forest dugout at the final whistle, only for Nuno to seemingly walk in the opposite direction and onto the field.
One fan wrote on X: “Sour grapes from Nuno not to shake Eddie’s hand at the end of the match today.”
Another said: “He was all smiles before the game. Very unprofessional.”
But a third countered: “He’s clearly going off to talk to the ref, please don’t make this out to be something it isn’t.”
And a fourth agreed: “Not sure there was anything in this as Nuno and Eddie get on very well.”
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Nuno appeared unimpressed to see just three minutes added by the officials following his team’s second-half fightback.
It was not apparent if he shook Howe’s hand after returning from talking to referee Jarred Gillett.
Ryan Yates netted Forest’s third just before the regular 90 minutes elapsed.
And the Forest boss was adamant his team should have been given more time to find a leveller.
Nuno told Sky Sports: “First half, clearly Newcastle better. Second half was better but unfortunately not enough. Too bad, too soon.
“We made mistakes. Newcastle made mistakes also. But it was two totally different halves. We started well, we scored, and they just rolled over us.
“There was nothing else in the first half about us. Every time Newcastle had the ball they scored.
“I wish there was 10 minutes added on. We needed that time.
“We were on top, Newcastle were on the ropes. With 10 minutes I think we can get something from this game.”
A relieved Howe added: “It was great to win. You have to remember that at the end.
“Crazy game, but that’s why we love [football] I suppose.”
Forest remain third after the loss, three points ahead of fourth-placed Manchester City.
Newcastle made ground in the race for the European spots, climbing to fifth and level on points with Pep Guardiola’s side.