Nottingham Forest thumped Brighton & Hove Albion 7-0 helped by a hat trick from striker Chris Wood in their Premier League clash at the City Ground on Saturday in an emphatic bounce back from last week's humbling 5-0 loss at Bournemouth.
Forest remain third on 47 points after 24 games to consolidate their hold on a top four spot that brings Champions League football next season, while Brighton are ninth on 34. An own goal from Lewis Dunk in the 12th minute kicked off the scoring as Brighton's skipper lunged to clear Morgan Gibbs-White's low cross and poked the ball into the net.
Gibbs-White doubled Forest's lead in the 25th minute with a glancing header from Anthony Elanga's corner.
Wood netted his first goal seven minutes later when, left completely unmarked, he headed Elanga's cross past Bart Verbruggen. Forest continued to run riot after the break and Wood tapped home Elanga's cross from close range in the 64th. The New Zealander completed his hat trick five minutes later with a penalty, awarded after Tariq Lamptey bundled Gibbs-White to the ground. Neco Williams got the sixth in the 89th and Jota Silva put the icing on the cake with a low strike in added time.
Rashford situation
Unsettled Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford is close to joining Aston Villa on loan, according to reports on Saturday. Villa have moved for Rashford after selling Colombia striker Jhon Duran to Saudi Pro League club Al Nassr on Friday.
The 27-year-old had been linked with AC Milan and Barcelona, while his representatives are also believed to have held talks with Tottenham and West Ham during the January transfer window. A temporary switch to Villa would allow Rashford to rehabilitate his tarnished reputation after his astonishing fall from grace in the last two years.
Villa could benefit from a revitalised Rashford with a point to prove as they look to challenge for a top four finish in the Premier League, while also competing in the Champions League last 16. Villa boss Unai Emery is sure to be asked about the interest in Rashford when his side face Wolves in Saturday's late Premier League fixture. Rashford has been looking to leave Old Trafford since admitting he was ready for a "new challenge" after being dropped by United boss Ruben Amorim for the Manchester derby in December.
The England star has missed all 12 of United's game since then, with Amorim appearing to lose patience with Rashford recently when he said he would rather name the club's 63-year-old goalkeeping coach in the squad. REUTERS/AFP
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