NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 26: Alexander Isak of Newcastle United shoots to score the first Newcastle goal from the penalty spot past Nottingham Forest goalkeeper Matt Turner during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Nottingham Forest at St. James Park on December 26, 2023 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
During Tuesday’s Premier League encounter between Burnley and Liverpool at Turf Moor, Burnley, Darwin Nunez scored the first goal for Liverpool. In the ninetieth minute, Diogo Jota added another goal, and the Reds won 2-0.
The brilliant hat-trick Chris Wood scored on Tuesday at St. James’ Park against his old team, Newcastle United, gave his struggling Nottingham Forest team a much-needed 3-1 Premier League victory.
After winning their first game as Nuno Espirito Santo’s replacement, Forest moved up to 17 points, five points above the relegation zone, and Newcastle dropped to 7 points after five straight losses in the league.
The Magpies, who had only given up four goals at home all season, put on another lifeless, disjointed display, letting a striker who was judged surplus to requirements score three goals in a single game.
Wood, who was initially loaned by Newcastle to Forest in January before signing a permanent deal, tied the score just before halftime with a tap-in from Anthony Elanga’s center.
Morgan Gibbs-White of Forest glanced a header just past, and Elanga had a chance to put the visitors ahead six minutes after the interval, but Newcastle keeper Martin Dubravka easily stopped his feeble attempt.
But, Wood’s outstanding solo effort from a subsequent counterattack gave Newcastle the lead in the 53rd minute when he dinked the ball past Dubravka with his left foot. The defence had disregarded Wood’s warnings.
Newcastle had lots of possession, but their offense did not click this time.
