HOWE THEY FALL

Wood lands treble as Forest run riot to deepen gloom for Toon

- Simon Bird

NEWCASTLE’S season is falling apart.

Injuries, a chronic loss of confidence, gaping holes in defence, a lack of energy, poor transfer business last summer – take your pick of reasons or excuses.

But the sight of the Toon crumbling to their sixth defeat in seven games, thanks to a 15-minute hat-trick by former Newcastle striker Chris Wood, has heaped pressure on head coach Eddie Howe.

It was the worst home league defeat of Howe’s reign and only the second in the division this season. And it was made more painful by the fact Wood scored only one goal – a penalty – in 20 games for Newcastle at St James’ Park.

They were lackluster and smashed on the break by Nottingham Forest. Anthony Elanga and Morgan Gibbs

White were too hot to handle and made it look like the exposed home defence were running in sand.