Chris Wood Double: Forest Secure Premier League Stay

Chris Wood brace against his former team secured Nottingham Forest’s safety in the Premier League as they convincingly defeated relegated Burnley. Despite Forest’s comfortable position in terms of goal difference before the final day, Chris Wood quickly dispelled any lingering doubts by converting an Anthony Elanga cross just 76 seconds into the match. His second goal, initially disallowed but later confirmed by VAR, solidified Forest’s dominance.

Manager Nuno Espirito Santo, who took charge of Forest in December, described the task of keeping the club in the top flight as the toughest of his career. Burnley struggled to break down Forest’s organized defense, while the visitors capitalized on their sporadic attacking opportunities, led by Elanga and Callum Hudson-Odoi. Although Josh Cullen’s deflected strike provided Burnley with a lifeline, Forest’s resilience ensured they held on for the win.

Despite the mathematical importance of securing safety, Forest’s victory had a relaxed end-of-season atmosphere. Wood, who played for Burnley from 2017 to 2022, proved instrumental in Forest’s counter-attacking strategy. Manager Nuno’s tactical approach, combined with Wood’s clinical finishing, frustrated Burnley’s attempts at a comeback. Vincent Kompany, Burnley’s manager, acknowledged the emotional weight of their final game in the Premier League before returning to the Championship. Despite late efforts from Burnley, Forest’s well-executed plan secured their top-flight status for another season.