Festive double win over Newcastle
On this day in Nottingham Forest history in 1958 Forest beat Newcastle United 3–0 to complete a remarkable festive double.
Forest completed a demanding festive double over Newcastle United by winning 3–0 at the City Ground only a day after beating the same opponents away.
Christmas football often worked very differently in that era, with clubs sometimes facing the same opponent in quick home-and-away fixtures across the holiday period. Forest’s schedule against Newcastle showed just how tough that format could be: St James’ Park one day, the City Ground the next.
The first meeting had brought a 3–1 win at Newcastle. Less than 24 hours later, Forest backed it up in Nottingham with another strong First Division performance, this time keeping Newcastle out completely.
Stewart Imlach scored twice before half-time, striking in the 32nd and 37th minutes, and Tommy Wilson added Forest’s third shortly after the interval. The quick burst either side of half-time turned the match firmly Forest’s way and removed any chance of Newcastle repairing the damage from the previous day.
The back-to-back wins showed the stamina and quality of a side that would soon make a much bigger mark. Forest went on to win the FA Cup later that season, and this Christmas double sits neatly inside that confident 1958–59 campaign.
Sources
11v11; TheCityGround.com; Newcastle United history
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