As the Premier League season continues to thrill, one man’s impressive form has left many in awe: Chris Wood, the New Zealand forward, has scored yet again for Nottingham Forest, helping his team secure a 3-1 win at Leicester City. Wood’s two goals have not only propelled him up the goal-scoring charts but have also sent a statement of intent to his opponents.
Wood, who has now racked up seven league goals this season, sits just behind Manchester City’s Erling Haaland, who has outscored him by three. But Wood is grateful for the Norway international’s influence on the game, which has led to a resurgence in the role of physical, imposing strikers. “For a period of time, the small centre-forward with a lot of pace was used,” Wood notes, “but, thankfully, Erling has brought it back. He’s a very formidable man and he’s probably going to score 30 goals this season.”
Despite City manager Pep Guardiola’s tactics, which often focus on quick possession and minimal long balls, Haaland’s ability to score goals has forced a reevaluation of the approach. The 24-year-old’s impressive return of 74 goals and 13 assists in 73 league appearances has left other teams scrambling to keep up.
Wood, meanwhile, has four goals in his last three games, and is hoping to continue his hot streak. “I just want to keep scoring as many as I can,” he said, crediting his teammates for the service that has led to his success. “I’m not someone who will put one in the top corner; I rely on myself and the service from my teammates, and it’s been great.”
The win at Leicester City, which featured two goals from Wood, sees Forest climb to fifth in the Premier League table, and the player’s impressive form is certainly making him a key component of their success. As he continues to score, it will be interesting to see how Wood’s partnership with his teammates continues to evolve, and whether Haaland’s influence will keep them pushing for the top spots.
