Nottingham Forest’s bid for survival looks set for a major boost with Vitor Pereira’s side smashing four past Sunderland in the first half of their Premier League contest on Friday night.
The visitors, fresh off a thumping 4-1 win over Burnley on Sunday, continued their free-scoring form with four strikes in the opening 37 minutes to leave the Black Cats shell-shocked.
Sunderland full-back Trai Hume put the ball in his own net to give Forest the lead, before three goals in six minutes from Chris Wood, Morgan Gibbs-White and Igor Jesus put Pereira’s men in dreamland.
Regis LeBris’ side were booed off at the interval, with some fans making their way towards the exits before the half-time whistle had blown.
Such were the heightened tensions inside the Stadium of Light that Nordi Mukiele reacted furiously at his own fans for booing Sunderland’s players off at half-time.
Forest, who have sacked three managers this season, have been mired in a relegation battle but, should they avoid a disastrous second half capitulation, they will go eight points clear of Tottenham, who occupy 18th position.
‘It’s an absolute dream for Nottingham Forest,’ said former Forest defender Michael Dawson on Sky Sports. ‘It was one mistake after another by Sunderland. Taking nothing away from the execution but if you switch off like Sunderland have you’re in trouble.’
