Wood Double Fires Forest to Victory Over Leicester

Nottingham Forest’s awesome away form keeps rolling with a strong 3-1 win against Leicester, thanks to a double from Chris Wood!

October 25, 2024
9:59 pm

Nottingham Forest kept their Premier League (PL) momentum going with a solid 3-1 win over Leicester City in a thrilling East Midlands derby at the King Power Stadium. This victory stretched Forest’s unbeaten away streak to seven games, showing off their new resilience under head coach Nuno Espírito Santo, even with his recent touchline ban.

Leicester, riding high after a comeback win against Southampton, started strong, controlling the ball early on. But things took a turn when Facundo Buonanotte lost the ball deep in Leicester’s half while trying to dribble out. In the chaos that followed, Ryan Yates pounced on the opportunity, coolly slotting the ball into the bottom corner in the 18th minute, putting Forest ahead.

Leicester didn’t let the setback get to them and quickly responded. Just seven minutes later, Harry Winks led a slick passing move down the left, delivering a perfect cross to Jamie Vardy, who finished from close range. Vardy’s goal fired up the home crowd and made the game wide open again.

The match turned into a thrilling back-and-forth affair. Forest kept pushing, with Nicolás Domínguez almost restoring their lead, but his close-range shot was brilliantly saved by Hermansen. Callum Hudson-Odoi also tested the keeper with a swerving shot late in the half, but the score remained 1-1 at halftime.

The second half kicked off with Forest taking charge, and they didn’t waste time getting back in front. Just two minutes in, Chris Wood, in fantastic form this season, received the ball from Elliot Anderson, turned, and curled a stunning shot into the far corner, leaving Hermansen helpless.

With the momentum on their side, Forest went for more. Hudson-Odoi nearly added to the score with a powerful shot that hit the post, making both sets of fans gasp. Sensing Leicester’s weakness, Forest kept the pressure on, and in the 67th minute, a long ball unsettled the Leicester defense. Wout Faes couldn’t handle it, and Wood capitalized, heading the ball over Hermansen, who was caught off his line. That was Wood’s second goal of the night and his seventh of the season, proving he’s a key player for Forest.

Yates had a golden chance to seal the game but missed from inside the box. Luckily for Forest, it didn’t matter as they held on for a memorable win. Espírito Santo’s squad now sits fifth in the league, showing their progress since he took over.

On the flip side, Leicester is still struggling for consistency. Under Steve Cooper, they haven’t managed three consecutive PL wins since 2021. This loss leaves them in 14th place, needing a tactical rethink to avoid a tough season. Their dominant 4-0 win against Forest in their last home meeting feels like a distant memory for Foxes fans, who watched their team struggle to find that form again.

Forest’s spirited play and tactical discipline make them a team to watch this season, especially with Chris Wood scoring like a champ. This latest win not only extends their unbeaten run on the road but also marks them as serious contenders in the PL, positioning them as one of the league’s dark horses as the season rolls on.