Wood scores for Forest before going off injured
All Whites striker Chris Wood scored but later left the field after a knock before Nottingham Forest gifted Luton Town a late equaliser in the battle between two English Premier League relegation rivals.
Wood’s ninth goal of the season fired Forest into a 34th minute lead, but Luton equalised from a late set piece for a 1-1 draw yesterday.
But there might be some anxious moments for All Whites coach Darren Bazeley after Wood, New Zealand’s top scorer and captain, had to replaced after an injury late in the game at Luton.
Wood is due to assemble with the All Whites this week for internationals in Cairo against Egypt next Sunday and either Croatia or Tunisia.
Forest manager Nuno Espirito Santo was hopeful Wood’s twinge was not serious.
“He has to be assessed. He was feeling something, so it was a precaution. Hopefully it’s nothing,’’ Santosaid.
Wood led the Forest line for the second consecutive game after his return from a hamstring injury.
The 32-year-old finished a fine move, involving fullback Neco Williams and playmaker Morgan Gibbs-White for Forest’s goal.
Gibbs-Whited dinked a cross to the far post where Wood volleyed home from close range with the outside of his right foot.
The Kiwi targetman is now on track to record 10 or more goals for the fifth time in a Premier League career stretching back to 2007.
He already has 10 goals in all competitions this season after also scoring once in the FA Cup.
Forest are now in 17th place on 25 points - three points and one spot ahead of Luton, but Forest could be facing a points deduction this week after a Premier League probe into financial irregularities.
Nuno Espirito Santo’s Forest appeared headed for an effective six-pointer win until they imploded at a defensive set piece in the 89th minute.
Luton won a corner which was nodded down by Reece Burke for Luke Berry to lash home.
Forest had dominated the second half without being able to add a second goal. Former England midfielder Ross Barkley had three long-range shots for Luton, one grazing the outside of the post.
Burnley boosted their survival hopes with a 2-1 win over 10-man Brentford for their first victory of 2024 and only their fourth of the season.
Jacob Bruun Larsen fired the Clarets ahead from the penalty spot in the 10th minute with Brentford losing Sergio Reguilon to a straight red card.
A David Datro Fofana goal in the 62nd minute doubled Burnley’s lead.
Kristoffer Ajer got a late consolation for Brentford.
Fifth-ranked Tottenham Hotspur’s hopes of a top-four finish suffered a blow with a 3-0 away loss at London rivals Fulham.
Carvalho Rodrigo Muniz grabbed a double for Fulham and Sasa Lukic got their middle goal.