Wood scored a brace against Leicester to take Forest to the top of the Premier League

LEICESTER, England (AP) — When Chris Wood scores, Nottingham Forest doesn’t lose.

The New Zealand great proved that once again on Friday when he scored a pair of goals in a 3-1 win over Leicester in the English Premier League.

Wood’s second-half brace was his sixth and seventh goals in nine games. In each case Forest won or drew.

“It all depends on the team,” Wood said. “My teammates give me a lot of opportunities. I’m not someone who will take four opponents and shoot at an angle. “I trust the services of my teammates and they continue to send me passes.”

The victory came five days after Nottingham Forest beat Crystal Palace 1-0. Nuno Espirito Santo’s team rose from eighth to fifth position.

Leicester were 14th.

Ryan Yates gave Forest the lead in the 16th minute. Leicester’s defense failed to clear the ball and the ball fell at the feet of Yates, who fired into the bottom corner from 25 yards.

Leicester talisman Jamie Vardy equalized seven minutes later when he weaved his way between defenders to tap in Harry Winks’ cross.

A superb save from Mads Hermansen denied Argentine Nicolas Dominguez from giving Forest the lead two minutes later, but the visitors did not give up and took control of the game after the break.

In the 47th minute, Wood had his back to goal with six defenders within a meter or two. None of them came any closer as Wood turned and fired non-stop into the corner.

His third goal came on the hour mark when a weak header from defender Wout Faes was perfect for him to head over goalkeeper Hermansen.