Nottingham Forest produced a devastating first-half display at the Stadium of Light as they demolished Sunderland 5-0 to move eight points clear of the Premier League relegation zone.
Sunderland started with hopes of strengthening their European push, but those ambitions quickly collapsed. Forest went ahead after 17 minutes when Igor Jesus’ far post header deflected off Trai Hume and into the net for an own goal.
What a performance. 🤩 pic.twitter.com/RU2Zs8UNZH
— Nottingham Forest (@NFFC) April 24, 2026
The visitors doubled their lead in the 31st minute after a costly error from goalkeeper Robin Roefs, whose pass gifted Forest the chance to strike. Chris Wood combined with Morgan Gibbs-White before finishing calmly for his first Premier League goal since the opening day of the season.
Forest then took complete control. Gibbs White fired in his sixth goal in six games before Igor Jesus added a fourth with a powerful first-time volley before half-time, leaving Sunderland stunned and their supporters already heading for the exits.
The hosts thought they had pulled one back after the break when Dan Ballard headed in, but the goal was ruled out following a VAR review for a foul on Matz Sels. Any faint hope of a comeback disappeared from there.
Forest added a fifth in stoppage time through Elliot Anderson, while Sels preserved his clean sheet with a late save from Enzo Le Fée.
The result extends Forest’s unbeaten run to eight matches in all competitions and gives Vítor Pereira’s side a major boost in their survival fight. Sunderland, meanwhile, suffered another damaging home defeat and remains 11th.
