Red-hot sharp shooter Wood nets two for Leeds
New Zealander Chris Wood is the sharpest striker in English football this year.
Wood netted twice for his Leeds United side in a 3-1 away win over Birmingham City yesterday in the English Championship to become the league’s leading scorer this season.
Wood put Leeds ahead in the 14th minute and did so again in the 67th minute, soon after the hosts had drawn level.
His two goals have ensured Leeds continue their push for promotion from the second tier into the English Premier League for the 2017-18 season. Leeds are fourth on the table, with the top two clubs gaining automatic promotion and the next four teams to battle out a playoff system to find the other club to go up.
Wood, who was once a fan favourite at Birmingham when on loan from Premier League side West Bromwich Albion five years ago, showed no mercy when given his opportunities.
His first came when a ball down the right flank from Luke Ayling evaded the home side’s defence and Wood cleverly provided a lobbed finish over City goalkeeper Tomasz Kuszczak.
Another defensive mistake allowed Wood to put Leeds back on top as he slid the ball home from close range, delighting manager Garry Monk, who was in the stands while serving a one-match touchline ban.
The All Whites striker now has 22 goals in the league for 2016-17, putting him two ahead of Dwight Gayle (Newcastle United) at the head of the goalscoring ladder. It was the 11th goal of the year for Wood, who was named the Championship’s Player of the Month for January.