Newcastle 1-3 Nottingham Forest: Chris Wood hits hat-trick against former side as Nuno Espirito Santo gets first win

Nottingham Forest striker Chris Wood scored a superb hat-trick against his former club Newcastle United on Tuesday at St James' Park, giving his struggling side a much-needed 3-1 Premier League victory.

Forest's first win under new manager Nuno Espirito Santo moved them up to 16th in the table with 17 points, five above the relegation zone, while Newcastle's fourth defeat in five league games dropped them to seventh with 29 points.

It was another dull, disjointed performance from a Magpies team that had only conceded four goals at home this season, only to allow a surplus striker to score three times in one game.

Newcastle took the lead in the 23rd minute when Alexander Isak was fouled while attempting to spin away from Forest full back Ola Aina, and the Swedish striker stepped up to stroke home the penalty low to the left of keeper Matt Turner.

Wood, who was loaned to Forest by Newcastle in January before signing on a permanent basis, leveled the game just before halftime with a close-range tap-in from Anthony Elanga's centre.

Forest's Morgan Gibbs-White had a header saved by Newcastle keeper Martin Dubravka, and Elanga should have put the visitors ahead six minutes after the break, but his weak effort with the goal at his mercy was easily saved by Newcastle keeper Martin Dubravka.

Newcastle's defence, however, ignored those warnings, and Wood put Forest ahead in the 53rd minute with a brilliant solo effort from another counter-attack, dinking the ball past Dubravka with his left foot after a clever run.

Newcastle had plenty of possession, but their attack struggled to gel once again. Only Isak looked dangerous when he got hold of the ball around the Forest box, and the visitors were always ready to pounce once the attacks stalled.

On the hour mark, Wood completed his hat-trick with another well-taken goal on the counter, rounding Dubravka and coolly slotting home to secure a well-deserved win.

Wood's goal celebrations were subdued, but he couldn't hide his delight as he accepted the Forest fans' applause at the final whistle.

SportsLigue