Chris Wood’s Derby Double Lifts Forest to Fifth

Chris Wood’s derby double propelled Nottingham Forest to fifth in the Premier League with a decisive 3-1 victory over Leicester City. Wood, taking advantage of two second-half mistakes, brought his season goal tally to seven. Ryan Yates initially put Forest ahead in the 16th minute but Jamie Vardy quickly equalized for Leicester. Despite the setback, Forest regained control with Chris Wood’s clinical finishing sealing a deserved win.

Leicester manager Steve Cooper, facing his former club for the first time since his December sacking, watched on as defensive blunders cost his side. The first mistake came when Facundo Buonanotte lost possession near Leicester’s area leading to Yates’ opening goal from outside the box. Leicester responded swiftly through Vardy, who finished a Harry Winks cross.

However, Forest’s pressure grew with Mads Hermansen making critical saves to keep Leicester level before the break. Forest’s dominance showed after halftime. Two minutes in, Leicester lost possession allowing Wood to break through and score with a low shot. Hudson-Odoi later hit the post and a further error from Wout Faes enabled Wood to nod in his second and make it 3-1, highlighting Leicester’s defensive vulnerabilities.

While Forest’s win underscored their growth under Nuno Espirito Santo, Leicester’s defeat showed the scale of the challenge Cooper faces in stabilizing the team, now sitting in 14th place. With a four-point deduction last season, Forest barely escaped relegation but are now thriving with the league’s second-best defense. Building on foundations laid by Cooper, Forest are halfway to last season’s points tally in just nine games proving they’re on an upward trajectory.