Chris Wood bags hattrick as Forest nail Newcastle 3-1

In a Boxing Day clash at St James’ Park, Alexander Isak initially gave Newcastle United a lead with a 23rd-minute penalty, but the match took a dramatic turn as Chris Wood orchestrated a stunning hat-trick against his former club, securing Nottingham Forest’s first win under Nuno Espirito Santo.

Wood’s triumphant goals were varied yet equally masterful, showcasing his prowess and ultimately granting Forest a convincing 3-1 victory.

Wood’s comeback was a critical factor in ending Nottingham Forest’s seven-game winless streak in the Premier League, marking a significant turnaround under their new manager, Nuno Espirito Santo.

The drama unfolded in the early kick-off on Boxing Day, with Wood’s close-range finish just before halftime nullifying Isak’s penalty.

The New Zealander then displayed clinical finishing in the second half, scoring twice within seven minutes.

His second goal involved a composed maneuver past a disorganized Newcastle defense, while the third exploited a flawed offside trap, making Wood the fourth player in Premier League history to score a hat-trick against a team he had previously played for in the competition.

Newcastle, despite their efforts, failed to break through Forest’s resilient defense, suffering only their second home league defeat of the season.

The home side’s struggles were further underscored by Wood’s exceptional performance.

In the first half, Forest’s Morgan Gibbs-White had an early chance, but the tide turned in Newcastle’s favor when Ola Aina fouled Isak, resulting in a calmly converted penalty.

Despite a dominant start, Newcastle couldn’t capitalize on their early lead, allowing Forest to stay in the game.

The turning point came just after the half-hour mark when Anthony Elanga provided a precise pass to Wood, who made no mistake in equalizing for Forest just before halftime.

Matt Turner’s crucial saves, including denying Isak’s header, kept Forest level heading into the second half.

Wood’s second-half goals were a testament to his clinical finishing, as he expertly lifted a neat finish over Newcastle’s goalkeeper, Martin Dubravka, and then effortlessly slotted in his third after beating the offside trap.

Despite Newcastle’s efforts to mount a response, Moussa Niakhate’s block denied Anthony Gordon, and Forest held firm, securing their long-awaited win and climbing to 16th place in the Premier League standings.

Everton’s midweek match offered Forest an opportunity to solidify their improved position in the league.