NEWCASTLE: Nottingham Forest striker Chris Wood scored a superb hattrick against his former club Newcastle United at St James’ Park today to give his struggling side a much-needed 3-1 victory in the Premier League.
Forest’s first win under new coach 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.
Newcastle took the lead in the 23rd minute when Alexander Isak won a penalty as he tried to spin away from Forest fullback Ola Aina, and the Swedish striker stepped up to stroke home the spotkick low to left of keeper Matt Turner.
Wood, who was loaned to Forest by Newcastle in January before making the move permanent, brought his side level just before the break with a close-range tap-in, and he netted again in the 53rd and 60th minutes to earn his side a deserved victory.