---
title: "Journalists praise ‘exceptional’ Wood v Brighton"
canonical: "https://readnewcastle.com/2022/03/08/journalists-praise-exceptional-chris-wood-v-brighton-hove-albion/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Crippy Cooke"
section: "Feature Writers"
published: "2022-03-08T10:00:00Z"
modified: "2022-03-08T10:00:00Z"
---

# Journalists praise ‘exceptional’ Wood v Brighton

[Newcastle United enjoyed a 2-1 win over Brighton & Hove Albion](https://www.nufc.co.uk/matches/first-team/2021-22/newcastle-united-v-brighton-and-hove-albion/) on Saturday afternoon and Chris Wood delivered another impressive performance despite not scoring. The 30-year-old is without a goal in his first seven Premier League appearances for Newcastle but still shone in attack and was helpful defensively too.

*Jordan Cronin* of [Newcastle World](https://www.newcastleworld.com/sport/football/newcastle-united/best-game-in-a-newcastle-united-shirt-player-ratings-as-magpies-hold-out-against-brighton-3598362?page=3) gave Wood a player rating of 7/10 and called his performance ‘exceptional’, praising him for holding the ball up and defending in his own box. *Lee Ryder* of [Chronicle Live](https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/newcastle-united-player-ratings-brighton-23299302) gave the 30-year-old a player rating of 8/10 and praised his passing for setting up Newcastle’s opener.

*Grey Whitebloom* of [90min](https://www.90min.com/posts/newcastle-united-2-1-brighton-player-ratings-2021-22) gave Wood a player rating of 6/10, saying he ‘played a crucial role’ in the opening goal but was at fault for Brighton’s goal. *Dominic Schurr* of [Shields Gazette](https://www.shieldsgazette.com/sport/football/newcastle-united/nufc-player-ratings-another-9-as-winger-and-defenders-shine-3598363?page=3) gave the New Zealand a player rating of 7/10 and said he was ‘brilliant’ in the build-up to Newcastle’s first goal.

[Against Brighton](https://www.whoscored.com/Matches/1549814/LiveStatistics/England-Premier-League-2021-2022-Newcastle-United-Brighton), Wood played for 90 minutes, had 35 touches, won six aerial duels, completed 45.8% of his 24 passes, created one chance, blocked one shot, made one clearance and won one freekick. The 30-year-old will hope to find the back of the net before the season is up.

Next up for Wood and Newcastle is a trip to face Southampton on February 10.

***[In other news, journalists hail ‘key’ Ryan Fraser performance in Brighton & Hove Albion win](https://readnewcastle.com/journalists-hail-key-ryan-fraser-performance-in-brighton-hove-albion-win/)***