Hat - Trick hero woods leads Forest to victory over Newcastle

Newcastle, 

Tuesday, 26 December, 2023 

McCreadie Andias 

Nottingham forest furnished their Festive season in style with a 3-1 comebacks against Newcastle United in an English Premier league match played at St. James Park on Tuesday evening. 

Chris Wood scored a hat-trick against his former club as Nottingham Forest earning their first win under Nuno Espírito Santo. 

Forest came from a hurting late minute defeat against Bournemouth last weekend while the hosts had fallen to Luton united. 

Newcastle earned an earlier goal midway through the half through an Alexander Isak spot kick, after being clipped in the box - putting the hosts in front for the 10th consecutive home game.

The visitors kept threatening past their opponents on the counter-attack with Anthony Elanga having his shot saved by Martin Dubravka on the angle. 

Close to added time, Elanga cross to Wood this time, and the ex-Magpies striker tapped in his fifth league goal this season to square the match.

Isak was denied a chance for a brace when Matt Turner saved his close-range header, before scrapping the ball away from a determined Miguel Almiron.

Forest came into the second half stronger with Gibbs-White almost securing a second when his flicked header from point-blank range went wide after a wonderful Elanga cross.

Moments away Elanga set Wood to a brace , as the New Zealand international sent the ball over Dubravka.

Wood earned his hat trick on the hour-mark when defender Murillo set him to an opening as he rounded Dúbravka before scoring into an empty net earning Forest the third.

Newcastle late attempts were unable to change the results in their favor as Forest held out in the end for what is a valuable three points in their relegation battle, as Nuno maintained his incredible unbeaten record against both Newcastle and Eddie Howe.