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08 January 2025

Nottingham Forest Dominates Over Wolves As Premier League Heats Up

Chris Wood shines with another goal as teams vie for Golden Boot honors and league positions.

The 2024-25 English Premier League season is well underway, delivering thrilling performances and tight competition among top clubs. Nottingham Forest, led by New Zealand international Chris Wood, celebrated its latest victory with a commanding 3-0 win against Midlands rivals Wolverhampton Wanderers on January 7, 2025, as they continue to solidify their place near the top of the table.

Wood's goal against Wolverhampton marked his 12th this season, positioning him as one of the standout players. The goal came just before half-time, when goalkeeper Matz Sels launched a long ball to Callum Hudson-Odoi on the left wing. Hudson-Odoi then delivered the pass to Wood, who skillfully slipped past two defenders before gently steering the ball home. This marked the eighth time Wood has scored against Wolves across 13 games. “It is about consistency and doing what we have been doing extremely well already this season. Not letting up halfway through. We need to keep going,” Wood stated post-game, highlighting the importance of teamwork and confidence.

With 81 career goals to his name, Wood’s scoring prowess has him sitting sixth on the league's Golden Boot leaderboard, trailing behind Mohamed Salah and Erling Haaland. Wood, who previously achieved 14 goals during the 2019-20 season and most recently replicated this tally last season with Nottingham, is on pace for what could be his best finish yet.

The Premier League Golden Boot race remains incredibly competitive, with Salah currently leading with 18 goals, followed closely by Haaland with 16. Haaland, the back-to-back Golden Boot winner, is aiming to make history by joining the ranks of players who have secured the top scorer position for three consecutive seasons—a feat first accomplished by Alan Shearer from 1994-97 and later by Thierry Henry from 2004-06.

Other players are also contending for the Golden Boot this season, including Alexander Isak, Bryan Mbeumo, and Cole Palmer, who are all within reach of the top scorers. Current standings show Isak, Mbeumo, and Palmer each netting 13 goals, making the competition increasingly fierce.

This past weekend’s action saw Nottingham Forest achieve its sixth victory and fourth clean sheet consecutively, with goalkeeper Matz Sels earning the Player of the Match accolade for his outstanding performance, which included five saves and multiple successful ball recoveries. “Sels delivered a Player of the Match performance, making significant contributions to the win,” noted WhoScored.

Other notable performances included Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez, who scored the opening goal during their clash against current league leaders Liverpool, helping his team to secure a thrilling 4-2 victory. The Argentine's defensive contributions were equally impressive, making several key tackles and interceptions.

Aston Villa also celebrated success with Ross Barkley opening the scoreline against Leicester City, marking his third goal of the season. Meanwhile, Fulham's Raul Jimenez maintained his impeccable penalty record, converting two penalties against Ipswich, contributing to his team's unbeaten streak of eight matches.

Manchester City’s Erling Haaland is back on form, finding the net two times against West Ham, bringing him closer to matching Salah's remarkable goal tally. Haaland's resurgence is significant as it follows a period of less prolific scoring just prior to January.

Looking forward, next weekend poses challenges for many teams, with Nottingham Forest set to face league leaders Liverpool, putting both teams’ aspirations to the test. With the title race and the fight for European qualification heating up, each match not only weighs heavily on prospective positions but also on the players' personal achievements.

Chris Wood, whose contract with Nottingham Forest is up mid-2025, is currently negotiating with the club for an extension. The club has proposed a one-year deal, but Wood is seeking two, amid interest from several overseas clubs keeping tabs on his contract situation. “It’s important for us to focus on the present and what we can achieve now, rather than what may happen later,” Wood added, reflecting on his priorities as the season progresses.

With the conclusion of the first week of January 2025, the English Premier League continues to promise electrifying matches and memorable moments. The spotlight remains not only on team performances but also on the fierce competition for individual accolades like the Golden Boot, keeping fans on the edge of their seats as the season evolves.