The former Magpies frontman played an important role under Eddie Howe during his 12 months on Tyneside, but had an even more central part to play here as Forest claimed only their second victory on the road this season.

United had taken the lead through Alexander Isak's penalty in this end-to-end Boxing Day battle, but the final result was a disappointing defeat to Nuno Espirito Santo's men.

The hosts prodded and probed early on but the first chance of the game fell Forest's way, with Morgan Gibbs-White dragging wide at the Leazes End.

However, the Magpies took the lead from the penalty spot in the 23rd minute. Anthony Gordon found Lewis Miley, who rolled the ball into Isak. The Swede turned, before being kicked by Ola Aina, and referee Chris Kavanagh pointed to the spot.

There was a lengthy VAR check, but the decision stood and Isak stepped up to score his tenth of the season.

More good work from Miley saw him slide in Gordon, who set up Bruno Guimarães, but the Brazilian's shot was superbly blocked by Gonzalo Montiel.

Forest were a threat on the break throughout, and in the 33rd minute Martin Dúbravka had to be alert to deny Anthony Elanga at full stretch after he had raced through on goal.

At the other end, Isak dribbled into the box from the right and attempted an audacious chip which was pushed behind by Matt Turner, who then held Miley's header.

But Forest equalised in first-half stoppage time, as Gibbs-White fed Elanga on the right, and his cutback presented Wood with the easiest of chances.

There was still time before the break for Isak to see a header superbly saved by Turner, and for Forest to counter, with Dúbravka keeping out Callum Hudson-Odoi's shot.

The visitors came out of the traps quickly at the beginning of the second half, though, with Gibbs-White heading wide from Elanga's cross in the first few seconds.

Then the dangerous Elanga shot straight at Dúbravka before Forest took the lead in the 53rd minute as Wood jinked past Burn then dinked past Dúbravka.

Kieran Trippier saw a shot pushed away by Turner as United looked for a riposte, then a Miley effort was deflected wide.

But Wood completed his hat-trick on the hour as he beat the offside trap and rounded Dúbravka to stun the Gallowgate End.

Newcastle searched desperately for a way back into the game, with Murillo deflecting an Isak shot behind.

Then Isak was denied by Turner before Gordon's follow-up was blocked by Moussa Niakhaté, with VAR checking for a handball but deciding not to send Kavanagh over to the monitor.

And a booking for Guimarães, which will see him suspended for the New Year's Day trip to Liverpool, rounded off a frustrating final game of 2023 for the Magpies.