Chris Wood of Nottingham Forest celebrates after scoring a goal. Photo: MI NEWS / AFP
All Whites striker Chris Wood started the new English Premier League season in fine form grabbing a double in Nottingham Forest's 3-1 win over Brentford.
Wood, who scored 20 league goals last season, opened the scoring in the fifth minute, poking home from a corner.
He got his second and Forest's third just before the break when he received a delightful through-ball and rounded the Brentford keeper to score.
"It's lovely, it's nice to get off the mark so early in a game, I think it settles things personally and for the team," Wood told the BBC.
Wood was impressed with the entire performance of the side which finished seventh last season.
"The team performance was unbelievable today, we've just got to continue it, long season and an enjoyable one hopefully."
Elsewehere Arsenal's Riccardo Calafiori headed home an early corner, aided by a weak challenge from goalkeeper Altay Bayindir, to earn a 1-0 victory at Manchester United, spoiling the hosts' season opener.
United were otherwise the better team, with close-season signings Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Patrick Dorgu missing good chances.
Chelsea survived an early scare when Crystal Palace had an Eberechi Eze goal controversially disallowed in a scrappy 0-0 draw at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea, whose last competitive outing was winning the Club World Cup last month, failed to stamp their authority on the game against the FA Cup holders.
-RNZ / Reuters
