Chris Wood hat-trick inspires Nottingham Forest to EPL win at Newcastle United

LONDON – Nuno Espirito Santo clinched his first win in charge of Nottingham Forest as Chris Wood’s hat-trick against his former club Newcastle United inspired a 3-1 English Premier League victory on Dec 26.

Wood left Newcastle to join Forest in a £15 million ($19 million) deal in June, but had scored only four times for his new club.

The 32-year-old New Zealand international managed just two league goals for Newcastle last term, but he surpassed that meagre total with a treble in 60 minutes at St James’ Park.

 “It was very good and well deserved. I think the boys played very well. It’s amazing so let’s enjoy it.”

“We know Newcastle press very high. We know when the moment is there, we have to spin and go. It’s all about their attitude to the game. Now we have to rest and recover. The next game is a tough one. I think we can deliver a good game again.”

Counter attacking performance: “That was the idea. We know how Newcastle play, they are very aggressive. If you keep the ball and beat the press then you know you will have places.”

Alexander Isak’s first half penalty put Newcastle ahead, but Wood equalised just before the break.

He struck twice more in the second half to give former Tottenham manager Nuno his maiden victory with Forest in his second game in charge after replacing the sacked Steve Cooper.

It was Forest’s first win in eight games and only their second success in their last 15 matches.

Forest moved five points clear of the relegation zone ahead of the rest of the day’s matches.

Newcastle’s fifth defeat in their last seven games in all competitions leaves them seven points adrift of the top four in seventh place.

Nuno’s first game in charge ended in a painful 3-2 stoppage-time defeat against Bournemouth at the City Ground last weekend.

Newcastle took the lead in the 23rd minute when Sweden striker Isak was tripped in the area by Ola Aina.

Isak picked himself up to squeeze the penalty past Matt Turner for his 10th goal this season.

Anthony Elanga wasted two good chances to equalise when he fired into the side-netting and shot straight at Newcastle keeper Martin Dubravka moments later when a pass to the unmarked Wood looked the better option.

Forest’s first win under new manager Nuno Espirito Santo lifted them to 16th in the table on 17 points, five above the relegation zone, while Newcastle’s fourth defeat in their last five league games left them seventh on 29 points.

It was another dull, disjointed performance from a Magpies side who had conceded just four goals at home this season, only to allow a striker deemed surplus to requirements to score thrice in one game.

Said Newcastle manager Eddie Howe: “It was a difficult afternoon. We didn’t deal with the transitions very well.

“In that first half we could have made it 2-0 but we were made to pay for it... I don’t think there’s one reason. I think it’s a whole combination of things as to why we’ve not been at our best.”

Newcastle captain Kieran Trippier, 33, suggested European football could have played a part, telling Amazon Prime: “We have been playing two games a week, week after week and some players aren’t used to that. My standards have dropped.

“I’m old enough to speak about myself and my standards have been nowhere near. I’ve faced enough setbacks in my career to know I can bounce back.”