‘I really hope he does it again’: Nuno Espirito Santo backs Chris Wood to have a prolific season in front of goal after the New Zealand striker scored a hat-trick to help Nottingham Forest defeat his former club Newcastle

Nuno Espirito Santo is backing striker Chris Wood to fire Nottingham Forest out of Premier League trouble after seeing him plunder a hat-trick to topple former club Newcastle.

The New Zealand international, who left Tyneside for the City Ground this summer after playing his part in Newcastle's battle for survival at the top level two seasons ago, has scored one goal for the Magpies in 20 games at St James' Park but trebled that on a memorable match. afternoon to secure a 3-1 win on Boxing Day.

When asked if the 32-year-old could be productive this season, new head coach Espirito Santo said: “I think so, I really believe so.

'Last week he did it, today he did it again. It's about helping the team, so it's not just about him, it's about how we want to do things to create opportunities for him. But I'm very happy with him now.

“Chris Wood, we know him, everyone knows him. He's been in the game for a while, but the way he did today, how he scored, how he was in the right moments – the second goal is beautiful, it's beautiful, the one-on-one and then the composure to just tap the ball over the goalkeeper, so thanks Chris for the job today.

The Portuguese manager backed him to score more this season, claiming: 'I really hope he does it again'

Wood has now scored four goals in two Premier League matches after failing to score in his six previous appearances for Forest

“I really hope he does it again because the talent is there.”

Espirito Santo, whose first match on Saturday ended in a 3-2 home defeat to Bournemouth, may have feared the worst when the Magpies took an early lead thanks to Alexander Isak's penalty in the 23rd minute.

However, they were put back in stoppage time after Anthony Elanga crossed for Wood from close range to level, and that proved to be just the prelude to a disastrous afternoon for the hosts.

Elanga, who tormented full-back Dan Burn throughout, and Morgan Gibbs-White repeatedly split an unusually porous backline, and Wood took full advantage with two more expert finishes after the break to give his new boss a first win and extend his managerial record . against the Magpies to go eight games without defeat.

Espirito Santo said: 'It feels very good and the boys are very happy. But it was difficult and we have to congratulate them because they did a fantastic job. I think we played well and it was a deserved win.”

Forest, meanwhile, recorded their first win in seven games against Newcastle at St James' Park

Eddie Howe added that his side were 'not at their best today' and admitted they had been 'punished'

Facing Eddie Howe, whose side have now lost six of their last seven games in all competitions and missed out on the Champions League and perhaps even the race for a top four place, was reflective after another difficult afternoon.

Howe said: “We weren't quite at our best today and if you don't do that in the Premier League you get punished.

“Every time you lose games it's an uncomfortable feeling for you; when your team isn't at its best, it's an uncomfortable feeling.

'But we must remain reflective and make the right decisions for the team in the coming days to ensure we are ready for our next match.

'I don't think we are at our best physically. I think that's obvious and I think I'd be lying if I said otherwise.”