Keith Hackett delighted by Jarred Gillett amid Nottingham Forest v Newcastle drama
Keith Hackett was full of praise for referee Jarred Gillett after a “first class” refereeing performance as Nottingham Forest lost to Newcastle.
The former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA official exclusively told Football Insider that the Australian referee delivered a strong performance, as the two sides played out a lively match.
A Nick Pope howler allowed Callum Hudson-Odoi to open the scoring for the Tricky Trees in the sixth minute of the game.
However, the Magpies found their feet and scored four goals without response, going into half-time 4-1 up.
Forest emerged from half-time with a vendetta, scoring through Nikola Milenkovic to begin their fightback.
Ryan Yates scored in the 90th minute, but it wasn’t enough for Forest, as they missed an opportunity to go within three points of Arsenal.
Former Newcastle midfielder Elliot Anderson had fans ruing the club’s decision to sell him to Forest in the summer, with the England U21 international impressing against his former club.
Jarred Gillett on form in ferocious Newcastle and Nottingham Forest meeting
Gillett had previously been criticised for a poor performance in Brighton’s win over Chelsea, when the two sides met in the FA Cup on 8 February.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider about the Australian referee, ex-PGMOL chief, Hackett, said:
“I thought Australian referee Jarred Gillett delivered a first class performance in the Newcastle United vs Nottingham Forest game.
| 2024/25 Premier League standing | Games played | Goal difference | Points |
| 1. Liverpool | 27 | +38 | 64 |
| 2. Arsenal | 26 | +28 | 53 |
| 3. Nottingham Forest | 26 | +11 | 47 |
| 4. Man City | 26 | +15 | 44 |
| 5. Newcastle | 26 | +10 | 44 |
“Low-key and efficient. [Gillett] read the temperature of the game and issued yellow cards when appropriate.”
Newcastle find form in Premier League ahead of Cup final against Liverpool
Eddie Howe had been told to drop Alexander Isak and Sven Botman, ahead of the club’s Carabao Cup final meeting with Liverpool on 16 March.
The Magpies had struggled in the league recently, having only beaten relegation-threatened Southampton and Wolves in their previous five league matches.
Losses to Fulham, Bournemouth and Man City had sparked concerns that Howe may have to drop some of his players in order to get a response.
However, against an in-form Forest side, Newcastle stepped up to the plate, and delivered an assured performance.
The second half seemed like a regression to recent form, but the Magpies held on, and Howe will be hoping to see his side use the win against Forest as a springboard for future success’.