Premier League: Chris Wood plunges Newcastle into crisis

Published:

By: Manu Tournoux

He was one of the first recruits for the Saudi Arabian version of Newcastle, in January 2022, to everyone’s surprise. Already gone, experienced New Zealand striker (32 years old) Chris Wood made his former team miserable at St James Park this Tuesday afternoon. Indeed, established at the forefront of the Nottingham Forest attack, he scored a hat-trick on the Magpies’ field (45+1, 53, 60), and we have no doubt that Dan Burn, humiliated on the 2nd goal, and goalkeeper Dubravka, easily eliminated in the 3rd, will remember their ex-teammate’s visit to town.

Overall Premier League standings

#


Team


Pts


J


DIF


G


NOT


D


BP


B.C.


5

Man City
Man City

34

17

20

10

4

3

40

20

6

West Ham
West Ham


30

18

1

9

3

6

31

30

7

Newcastle
Newcastle

29

19

12

9

2

8

37

25

8

Man United
Man United

28

18

-5

9

1

8

18

23

9

Brighton
Brighton

27

18

3

7

6

5

34

31

See the full ranking

Everything had started well for Newcastle, who had opened the scoring, from a penalty, by Alexander Isak (23rd), and who thought they would continue their merry way at home, where until then they had only lost once in championship, at the start of the season against Liverpool. But the club coached by Eddie Howe displayed too much defensive generosity, into which Chris Wood, although far from being the fastest striker in the Premier League, was engulfed. Result, a scathing 3-1 defeat against an opponent who is playing for survival.

Newcastle at a standstill

And casually, this new setback adds to a bad series in progress for the Magpies. With only one victory in the last nine matches in all competitions – against the moribund Manchester United – Newcastle already seems to be saying goodbye to possible qualification for the Champions League, a feat achieved last season. Stuck in 7th place in the Premier League, eliminated from all European competition afterwards, the club from the north of England is now under threat from its pursuers, Brighton and… Manchester United.

Overall Premier League standings

#


Team


Pts


J


DIF


G


NOT


D


BP


B.C.


15

Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace

18

18

-8

4

6

8

18

26

16

Nottingham
Nottingham


17

19

-12

4

5

10

22

34

17

Everton
Everton

16

18

1

8

2

8

23

22

18

Luton
Luton

12

17

-14

3

3

11

18

32

19

Burnley
Burnley

11

18

-18

3

2

13

18

36

See the full ranking

Penalized by numerous absences, mainly in midfield, and by a lack of percussion in attack (Miguel Almiron far too timid in the first half), Newcastle will also meet top teams during the next three days, Liverpool, Manchester City and Aston Villa. Not ideal for getting started again. For Nottingham Forest, on the other hand, this victory rewards the first week of work for new coach Nuno Espirito Santo, appointed on December 20 and beaten at the last minute by Borunemouth three days ago.