Well, well, well, what a Boxing Day spectacle at St James' Park! Nottingham Forest, led by the sharpshooter Chris Wood, stunned Newcastle United with a sensational 3-1 victory, marking Nuno Espirito Santo's first win as the Forest head coach.
Wood's Hat-Trick Heroics
Chris Wood, in a devastating return to his former stomping ground, bagged a hat-trick, showcasing a striking performance that Newcastle fans hadn't seen from him in a while. The striker equalized just before halftime and then netted two more in the 53rd and 60th minutes, securing his place in Forest's history books. His hat-trick makes him only the second Forest player to achieve this feat in the Premier League, following Kevin Campbell in 1996.
Newcastle's Early Lead and Isak's Penalty
The drama kicked off with Newcastle taking an early lead through Alexander Isak's penalty in the 23rd minute. Isak, winning and converting the penalty, seemed to set the tone for the Magpies, but little did they know what Wood had in store for them.
Forest's Resilience and Elanga's Contribution
Despite Newcastle's initial dominance, Forest remained a threat. Anthony Elanga, with his crucial assist, played a pivotal role in setting up Wood's equalizer. Elanga had earlier missed a chance to square the pass to Wood, but he made amends, showcasing resilience and determination.
Wood's Sensational Second Half
The second half witnessed Wood stealing the show. A sensational goal in front of the Gallowgate End, where he danced past defenders and calmly slotted the ball into the net, left fans in awe. Wood then completed his hat-trick, receiving a long-range pass and rounding the goalkeeper, becoming only the fourth player to score a hat-trick against a former club in the Premier League.
Forest's Vital Victory
The victory for Forest, in Nuno's second match in charge, takes them five points clear of the relegation zone. A crucial result in their quest for Premier League safety.
Table Shuffle and Newcastle's Woes
Following this win, Forest climbs to 16th in the table with 17 points, while Newcastle, experiencing their fourth defeat in five matches, finds themselves in seventh place, seven points off fourth-place Tottenham Hotspur.
What a Boxing Day treat for Forest fans and a tough pill to swallow for the Magpies. Until the next matchday, football fans, keep the spirit alive! ⚽🌲