Sandro Tonali made his return after a 10-month suspension as Newcastle defeated Nottingham Forest in a penalty shootout in the Carabao Cup.
Sean Longstaff scored the decisive penalty after Forest’s Ibrahim Sangare and Taiwo Awoniyi missed their attempts.
Italy midfielder Tonali, who was sidelined for breaching betting regulations, played 60 minutes at the City Ground before being substituted.
Newcastle took the lead just 18 seconds into the match when Joe Willock scored, pouncing on a rebound after Forest debutant Carlos Miguel parried Alexander Isak’s shot into his path.
The Magpies almost doubled their lead in the third minute when Isak set up Tonali, but Miguel managed to save the effort.
Newcastle’s night suffered a setback when Willock, who had been sidelined at the end of last season with an Achilles injury, had to leave the field with an apparent thigh problem.
Forest equalized through Jota Silva’s stunning half-volley, which struck the woodwork on its way in.
This was Jota’s first start and first goal for Forest. The team also saw debuts from Carlos Miguel, teenage German right-back Eric da Silva Moreira, Aston Villa loanee Alex Moreno, and Paraguayan forward Ramon Sosa.
Elliot Anderson, a summer signing from Newcastle, nearly scored against his former club, but his lob went just wide.
Dan Burn, Harvey Barnes, Lewis Hall, and Anthony Gordon all had opportunities to secure a win for Newcastle before the match went to penalties.
Although Joelinton had his penalty saved by Miguel, his teammates converted their spot-kicks, securing Newcastle’s place in round three, where they will face League Two side AFC Wimbledon away.
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