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Gary Lineker forced to eat humble pie amid 'misjudged' Nottingham Forest admission

Chris Wood celebrates scoring for Nottingham Forest against Everton
-Credit:Getty


Gary Lineker has admitted he underestimated just how good Chris Wood actually is after another impressive display from the Nottingham Forest ace.

The New Zealand international took his tally for the season so far up to 11 for the Reds with a delightful goal against Everton on Sunday. He also weighed in with an assist at Goodison Park, setting up Morgan Gibbs-White to put the seal on a 2-0 victory for the visitors.

Wood has played a key part in Forest’s rise up the table, with Nuno Espirito Santo’s side ending 2024 in second spot. And his red-hot form has prompted Match of the Day host Lineker to concede he misjudged the 33-year-old striker.

“I have to say, Chris Wood - not that I've been critical of him in the past - but I must say I misjudged the quality of the player,” Lineker said on his The Rest Is Football podcast. “He’s a better footballer than I actually thought he was originally. I don’t mind owning that. He’s done really well.

“You’re talking about intelligence; he makes the best of his assets with his movement. He got a goal and an assist. Lovely little finish.”

Fellow former forward Alan Shearer added: “Chris Wood is having the season of his life. He has just been unbelievable. Forest play to his strengths, which is really important as a centre forward.”

The weekend’s triumph over the Toffees made it five wins in a row for the Reds. They have a five-point cushion over fifth-placed Newcastle United in the battle for the Champions League places.

Shearer is convinced Forest can maintain their challenge at the top end of the division. And their latest result prompted Lineker to reiterate that he sees similarities between the Reds and Leicester City’s title-winning side of 2016.

"Everton played Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City and conceded one goal in the three games,” Shearer noted. “Forest have gone to Everton won, scored a couple of goals and been impressive again.

"It doesn't look as if they're going to stop this season, Forest. It's like they're just going to go on and on and on, just keep getting the results and playing really good football. They are looking very impressive.”

Lineker chipped in: "I said it before, they remind me a little bit of that Leicester season. They are not going to win the league because of Liverpool. In the season Leicester did their stuff, a lot of the big clubs were in transition. But there's a similarity.

"They don't mind not having the ball. They counter really quick. And they've got some quality individual players in there and are difficult to score against.”

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