Chris Wood compared to Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe & ‘prime Ronaldo’ as football fans salute incredible hat-trick for Nottingham Forest against Newcastle

The experienced frontman has had to be patient in pursuit of regular football since swapping St. James’ Park for the City Ground in the winter transfer window of 2023. He certainly found his shooting boots when returning to Tyneside on Boxing Day, with late Christmas gifts handed out by the home side.

Wood rolled Forest level on the stroke of half-time, following Alexander Isak’s opener from the penalty spot, before displaying incredible compose to dink home Forest’s second with his left foot – leading to followers on social media to likening him to greats of the global game.

Wood secured himself the match ball when Forest moved 3-1 in front, with the offside trap beaten before rounding the goalkeeper and rolling into an empty net. More plaudits rained down on the New Zealand international, who is considered to be displaying Ronaldo-esque form – at least for one afternoon in late December.

Forest will need more heroics from Wood in the weeks and months to come, as they battle to pull away from relegation danger in the Premier League. There remains every chance that they will dip back into the market for another striker in January.