Impressive Nottingham Forest demolish Sunderland in push for Premier League survival

The match offered Sunderland a key chance to advance their European ambitions, starting with an early opportunity as Chris Rigg slipped in from the right, yet the young 18-year-olds shot lacked power and Matz Sels collected it without trouble.

That proved to be Sunderlands brightest moment in a disastrous opening period, falling behind in the 17th minute when Igor Jesus directed a header at the far post that struck Trai Hume and resulted in an own goal.

While fortune played a part in the initial strike against the Black Cats, their second concession at the 31 minute mark was entirely self inflicted, allowing Forest to lead 2-0.

Goalkeeper Robin Roefs inexplicably passed the ball directly to Chris Wood, who then laid it off to Morgan Gibbs-White before finishing his first Premier League strike since the campaigns start.

Sunderlands woes deepened just three minutes on, with Jesus heading a delivery into the box for Gibbs-White to blast in his sixth goal over six outings in all tournaments.

Disillusioned supporters were already heading for the exits when Forest extended to 4-0 shortly before the break, Ola Ainas attempt taking a fortunate deflection that set up Jesus to smash a volley beyond Roefs for his second in successive games.

The hosts emerged for the second half determined to respond, and Dan Ballard believed he had halved the deficit with a close range header in the 61st minute, only for referee Darren England to disallow it following a VAR check for a foul by Nordi Mukiele on Sels.

This call dashed any slim prospects of recovery for the Black Cats, who now confront a fourth loss in five Stadium of Light fixtures (W1), a stark contrast to their unbeaten streak in the first 12 home Premier League outings.

Post interval, Forest picked up more yellow cards (five) than attempts on goal (one), yet turned that lone shot into gold as former Newcastle United youth product Elliot Anderson sealed the 5-0 victory with a composed finish deep into added time.

The late goal followed Sels denying Enzo Le Fées powerful drive with a fine save to maintain the shutout, propelling Vítor Pereira’s side closer to security while extending their unbeaten sequence to eight matches in all competitions (W5, D3).

Forest now anticipate Thursdays UEFA Europa League semi final opener versus Aston Villa, having netted four times in each of their last two fixtures, as Sunderland, who have shipped precisely that tally, hold steady at 11th place.