New Zealand forward Chris Wood delivered an outstanding performance, netting a hat trick in Nottingham Forest’s remarkable 7-0 victory over Brighton on Saturday. This win marked the largest margin of victory ever achieved by Forest in the Premier League, highlighting their unexpected prowess as title contenders this season.

Wood, now 33, has elevated his goal-scoring record to 17, a personal best in the Premier League. The only players ahead of him in the scoring charts are Mohamed Salah from Liverpool (19 goals) and Erling Haaland of Manchester City (18 goals), showcasing Woods’ impressive form this season.

The scoring frenzy began with an own goal from Lewis Dunk, setting the stage for the third-placed Forest team at the City Ground, which has emerged as a surprising competitor in the league. Following Dunk’s blunder, Morgan Gibbs-White, Neco Williams, and Jota Silva also chipped in with goals, bringing Forest’s total to an astonishing seven.

This overwhelming victory stands in stark contrast to the previous week’s disappointing performance, where Forest suffered a 5-0 defeat against Bournemouth. Reflecting on the dramatic turnaround, Wood commented, “What a difference a week can make. Last week wasn’t us. Today was definitely us.”

Currently, Liverpool sits six points ahead of Forest but has played two fewer matches, as they prepare to face an in-form Bournemouth later in the day.

Last season, Forest was entrenched in a relegation battle, but the current campaign has opened the possibility of qualifying for the Champions League—a feat that would return the club to elite European competition, reminiscent of their triumph in the European Cup back in 1979 and 1980.

On the same day, six matches are on the schedule in England’s top-flight league, including Newcastle taking on Fulham and a clash between the relegation-threatened teams Ipswich and Southampton.