Soccer-Wood hat-trick inspires Forest to win at Newcastle

Soccer Football - Premier League - Newcastle United v Nottingham Forest - St James' Park, Newcastle, Britain - December 26, 2023 Nottingham Forest's Chris Wood goes past Newcastle United's Martin Dubravka before scoring their third goal and completing his hat-trick Action Images via Reuters/Lee Smith

NEWCASTLE, England (Reuters) -Nottingham Forest striker Chris Wood scored a superb hat-trick against his former club Newcastle United at St James' Park on Tuesday 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.