Ola Aina in action as Nottingham Forest beat Newcastle United on Boxing Day
Nigerian defender, Ola Aina was in action as Nottingham Forest beat Newcastle United 1-3 in a Premier League Boxing day clash at St James Park.
The game on December 26, afforded AFCON-bound Aina quality ninety minutes of English Premier League action, to help his side to a big-win.
Newcastle United’s woes continued as Chris Wood, the former Newcastle player, scored a hat-trick to lead Nottingham Forest to a 3-1 victory at St James’ Park.
Eddie Howe’s side, despite an early lead with Alexander Isak’s penalty, faced a defeat that added to their recent struggles.
The match began positively for Newcastle on Boxing Day, securing an early lead against a Forest side managed by Nuno Espirito Santo in his second match in charge.
However, Wood initiated a comeback for Forest, equalizing just before halftime and then adding two more well-composed goals to complete his hat-trick.
Newcastle, in the midst of a challenging period, failed to mount a comeback of their own.
The defeat compounds their recent difficulties, including eliminations from the Champions League and Carabao Cup.
Wood’s return to St James’ Park was marked by a stellar performance, scoring three goals in just 14 minutes.
His impact showcased the stark contrast to his time as a Newcastle player, where he managed only one goal during his 12-month tenure.
The match saw changes in Forest’s lineup compared to their previous game against Bournemouth, contributing to a disjointed start.
However, as the game progressed, Forest capitalized on Newcastle’s vulnerabilities, especially on the counter-attack.
Anthony Elanga and Callum Hudson-Odoi exploited the hosts’ defensive frailties, with Elanga providing the assist for Wood’s first goal. Forest’s second-half performance continued the dominance, with Wood scoring his second with a classy finish and completing his hat-trick after fooling the Newcastle goalkeeper.
Despite claims for handball and penalty appeals from Newcastle, Forest held onto their two-goal advantage.
The defeat leaves Newcastle seven points outside the top four and 11 points behind Premier League leaders Arsenal.
The upcoming fixtures against Liverpool, Sunderland, Manchester City, and Aston Villa will be crucial for Newcastle as they aim to turn their fortunes around and revive their hopes in the Champions League and FA Cup.
