Nottingham Forest hero gushes over the Reds sensation who is ‘on flames’
Compliments were almost as abundant as goals at the City Ground as Nottingham Forest bounced back from a 5-0 loss at Bournemouth by hammering Brighton 7-0.
Three goals from Chris Wood and one each for Morgan Gibbs-White, Neco Williams, Jota Silva and a Lewis Dunk own goal provided an eloquent response to suggestions the Reds bubble had burst.
Forest’s players were slapping each other on the back – but one player was mentioned by most. Anthony Elanga provided three assists which represents not only a sensational return to form but took his total to 17 since the start of last season. Only Mo Salah, Bukayo Sako and Ollie Watkins have provided more.
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Wood has been the chief beneficiary and the New Zealand striker as fulsome in his praise.
“What a difference a week can make. Down in the dumps after last week. It wasn't us, it wasn't like us, but today that was definitely us,” he told TNT Sports.
"It is all credit to the team. This lad [Elanga] puts it on a plate for me so it makes my job easier every time. We know the relationship that we have. We have that bond, the connection and he does superbly for me and it shows in the statistics. A hat-trick of assists never goes unnoticed. The boy is on flames.
“Then Morgs [Gibbs-White] handed me the penalty for the hat-trick. It's fantastic, the boys have done superbly showing character to come back from last week. That is what we're about."
Gibbs-White also hailed Elanga's performance on TNT Sports: "He is incredible. He is incredibly fast so you just know to put it in the space [in behind] and he will get there. He has been really knuckling down on his work this year, on his end product, it has been incredible. As you can see today he has got three assists, so credit to him. I think he deserves a little bit more credit than what he's been getting, because he works so hard on and off the pitch."
The Forest captain went on to laud Wood: "He is just one of those strikers that you know where he is going to be, where he wants to receive the ball. This season he has just been so clinical. A real delight to play with.
"Off the ball he works so hard for us, I don't think people notice that as much, and that is one of his main strengths. He never gives up and is always fighting for any little tap in. And those are the best goals.
"[In the dressing room] He is mature, he is sensible. He's someone you go to if there needs to be questions asked."
