Nottingham Forest temporarily sit second in the Premier League table on Sunday and achieved such a feat thanks to the form of Chris Wood. The 33-year-old forward, who earlier this season became the club's all-time leading scorer in the league, found the net again with the opener against Everton. Wood raced toward the goal and combined with Anthony Elanga to chip goalkeeper Jordan Pickford with expert precision. Chris Wood has scored 20 goals in 33 Premier League games under Nuno Espírito Santo. Unreal return. 🪵🪓 pic.twitter.com/NoFdbHQwsn— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) December 29, 2024.
This means he has 11 goals this Premier League season, which moves him level with Alexander Isak of Newcastle. Only Cole Palmer (12), Erling Haaland (13) and Mohamed Salah (16) have more. 📸 Jan Kruger - 2024 Getty Images.
Nottingham Forest’s dream season continued as they reached their highest league position in more than 30 years as a 2-0 victory at Everton lifted them to second place. Chris Wood’s 11th league goal of the season set them on their way and Morgan Gibbs-White capped another impressive performance with the second as Nuno Espírito Santo’s side leapfrogged Chelsea and Arsenal after their fifth successive win. Not since October 1994 have the two-time European champions been this high in the table and, though the two London clubs can respond over the next couple of days, the visiting fans afforded themselves a tongue-in-cheek ‘We’re going to win the league’ chant having defeated both Merseyside clubs this season. Nottingham Forest are magic. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/sXl7aegwyy — Nottingham Forest (@NFFC) December 29, 2024.
Thirty years ago they eventually finished third and with 33-year-old Wood enjoying something of a renaissance at the tail-end of his career, Gibbs-White pulling the strings so effectively, and a miserly defence which has conceded just 19 goals in as many games, it is not so fanciful to think they could repeat the feat. What is truly remarkable is these two teams were in similar positions 12 months ago, both having had points deductions under profitability and sustainability rules, but Forest have demonstrated what can be achieved with smart recruitment and organisation sprinkled with a little bit of stardust.
Everton ended 2023 just one point above the relegation zone after three successive league defeats, having finished 17th last season compared to Forest's 15th. Wood’s form – only Mohamed Salah, Erling Haaland, and Cole Palmer have scored more this season – has been central to their rapid elevation and such differences were clear on the pitch at Goodison Park.
Gibbs-White’s lofted pass from deep picked out the New Zealand striker, who was unmarked as Jarrad Branthwaite opted to stay closer to Anthony Elanga, unwittingly creating a two-on-one as Everton’s other centre-back, James Tarkowski, was out of position. Despite being off-balance, Wood directed his header toward Elanga, who nodded the ball back, leading to Wood displaying the deftest of touches to lift the ball over Pickford.
Wood's 11 league goals are only four short of Everton’s entire squad contribution for the season and, striving for more attacking options, manager Sean Dyche handed Armando Broja his first start after his long absence due to injury. Unfortunately for Dyche, the on-loan Chelsea forward lacked match sharpness and was starved of service, with Everton wingers reluctant to cross the ball.
Gibbs-White ran the show all afternoon, threading passes and helping create chances, including one for Ramon Sosa who fired wide with a first-time shot. The Forest captain crowned his performance with the deserved 61st-minute goal as Everton shot themselves in the foot. After ballooning a shot over the bar following a driving run, he took advantage of Abdoulaye Doucoure’s poor touch which gifted him possession deep in the Toffees half.
By the time the ball was moved to Wood on the left, Gibbs-White had continued his run, checking back onto his left foot and sending Doucoure the wrong way to give Pickford no chance. Although Orel Mangala fired one attempt narrowly wide, it felt like the game was already beyond Everton, even with Calvert-Lewin briefly pairing with Broja before the latter was replaced by Beto.
Everton’s mini-revival after impressive draws against Arsenal, Chelsea, and Manchester City ended abruptly as they suffered just one victory across their last ten outings. Sean Dyche remains on the hunt for answers to their disturbing problems, as Nottingham Forest celebrate their remarkable resurgence and promotion to near the pinnacle of English football once more.