On Boxing Day, Nottingham Forest defeated Newcastle United 3-1 to snap a seven-game losing streak.
When Chris Wood returned to his old team, he left with the match ball. The striker secured three points for the guests with a fast-paced brace in the second half, after which he cancelled off an Alexander Isak penalty just before the interval.
The win gave the Reds their first points under new head coach Nuno Espirito Santo. Below is a look at what the Portuguese had to say after the final whistle.
On the win…
“It feels very good. The boys are very happy.
“It was hard work. We have to congratulate the players because they did fantastic work. Credit to the players because we arrived only a few days ago, so all the things we are trying they are getting. We credit them for their hard work.
“I think we played well. It was a well-deserved win.
“Against Bournemouth we were 75 minutes with a man down. The team didn’t really have time to play the way we want. Today we saw what the players can give on the pitch. We were compact and defended the box very well, unlike the last game.
“We are learning. It is a learning process, which you get from games.
“We were always a big threat on the counter, we had speed and Chris Wood had an amazing game. It was fantastic.”
On Wood’s hat-trick…
“Against Bournemouth he did amazing work and worked really hard for the team. Everyone knows Chris Wood because he has been in the game a while now, but the way he did it today… How he scored, how we was in the right moments. The second goal is beautiful, the one-v-one, then the composure to just flick the ball over the goalkeeper.
“Thank you for the job today, Chris. I really hope he does it again because the talent is there.”
On whether Wood can be a prolific striker…
“I really believe so. He scored last week and today he did it again.
“It is about the team helping. It is not only him. It is how we want to do things and how we can create the chances for him. But I am very happy with him now.”
On being yet to lose to Newcastle in eight games against them as a manager…
“I didn’t realise that. More than my individual situation, today was a huge moment for us.
“I’ve just been told that at St James’ Park for the last two seasons there are not too many teams who have achieved good results here. Thank you to the fans because they helped us a lot.”
On making six changes to the XI…
“Two perspectives. We wanted energy, because in the last game against Bournemouth we played 75 minutes with one man less so the distances the players had to cover was amazing. It had a big impact on individuals. We wanted energy and fresh legs.
“At the same time, to take a chance to see the options because we all have to realise that we have a big squad and the moment will come when we have to make hard decisions. Every game and every training session has to be a moment for us to know them better so we can take the right decisions for the club.”
On Morgan Gibbs-White’s performance…
“I had a lot of time to work with Morgan (at Wolverhampton Wanderers). He was very young and has progressed.
“Morgan is a different player. Credit to Steve Cooper to get him to this level. He is playing really, really well.”
