WATCH: In-form All Whites striker Chris Wood scores a double in ...

New Zealand international Chris Wood has moved into second place in the race for the English Premier League’s Golden Boot after scoring a double in his latest game.

Wood (32) scored twice for Nottingham Forest in their 3-1 win against the striker’s former club, Leicester City.

The second-half brace gives Wood seven goals from nine appearances this season, and helped lift Forest into fifth place on the EPL table.

Only Manchester City’s Erling Haaland, with 10 goals, is ahead of Wood on the goalscoring ladder for the season.

Wood’s goals also mean that only Haaland (with 18 goals) has scored more non-penalty goals in the EPL than Wood (17) since Nuno Espirito Santo took over as Forest manager last December.

Main photo: Chris Wood celebrates after scoring the first of his two goals against former club Leicester City.

After the match, Wood told Sky Sports UK his team’s good form was down to consistency.

And of his own form, Wood said: “I feel good. It’s all down to the team.

“They supply with a lot of chances and things like that, and I have to be ready to put them away.

“I’m not one who is going to beat four players and stick it in the top corner. I rely on the service of my teammates, and they just keep delivering for me.”

Chris Wood … enjoys the moment after scoring Forest’s third goal of the night.

Before the game, Wood was praised by manager Nuno.

“I have a big admiration for Chris since I arrived. He has been amazing, not only on the pitch. We are delighted and what we want is for him to continue.

“There is no secret; all about preparing the team well and trying to make routines around Chris and the players and things that can improve their performance, and then it’s Chris, the credit is to him.”

England and Forest legend Stuart Pearce has told the Nottingham Post:  “Chris Wood’s come in and been brilliant.

“He’s had to wait for his chance and been second fiddle on occasion, but he has led the line brilliantly for them.

“He’s a focal point that they can deliver the ball to both at his feet and in the air, and he’s got speed merchants in and around him.”

Watch Chris Wood’s latest goals For the record

Wood is in the hottest goalscoring form of his career.

He’s scored six goals in his last five games, including strikes for New Zealand against Tahiti in the FIFA World Cup Oceania qualifier in Vanuatu, and against Malaysia in the international friendly played in Auckland.

Wood has scored in eight consecutive EPL seasons, and his latest goals are his 75th and 76th goals at that level.

He’s now equal 61st (with Daniel Sturridge) on the all-time EPL goalscorers’ table, ahead of greats such as Eric Cantona (70 goals) and David Beckham (62).

His second goal against Leicester was his 25th headed goal, and he’s scored more with his head than any other Premier League player still active.

He’s equal fifth on the all-time list of headed goals, behind prolific scorers Peter Couch, Harry Kane, Christian Bentenke and Olivier Giroud.

Club reportedly wants new contract for Wood

Wood’s form coincides with reports that Forest are keen to open new contract talks with him.

His contract is reportedly due to expire in the English summer of 2025, meaning he would become a free agent unless Forest agreed a new deal with him.

Wood would be free to start talks with alternative clubs from January 1.

Result

Game played on Saturday October 26, 2024 (NZT)

Leicester City 1 (Jamie Vardy 23’) Nottingham Forest 3 (Ryan Yates 16’, Chris Wood 47’, 60’)

This story was first published on October 26, 2024.

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