Forest Improves Survival Chances After Dominant Display Crushes Sunderland
Nottingham Forest demolished Sunderland 5-0 on April 24 to extend their Premier League survival buffer to 8 points, moving closer to safety with an unbeaten run extended to six matches.
Nottingham Forest has strengthened their Premier League survival prospects with a commanding display against Sunderland, extending their buffer from the relegation zone to 8 points. In the English Premier League match on April 24, 2025, Sunderland hosted Nottingham Forest at the Stadium of Light.
Forest struck first in the 17th minute from a right corner when Omari Hutchinson combined with Elliott Anderson before delivering a cross to the far post. Igor Jesus rose to head home powerfully, with the goal credited as an own goal by Trey Hume as the visitors took a 1-0 lead.
In the 31st minute, Chris Wood intercepted a misdirected pass from Robin Ruffels and the rebound fell to Morgan Gibbs-White, who quickly passed back into the penalty area for Wood to finish past Ruffels. Forest extended their lead to 2-0.
By the 34th minute, Nico Williams participated in a combination from a left corner before finding Igor Jesus, who headed to Gibbs-White. The midfielder executed a perfectly timed volley to make it 3-0.
In the 37th minute, Hutchinson delivered from the right wing. A Sunderland player deflected the ball outside the box to Ola Aina, who shot but the ball fell to Igor Jesus for another finish, making it 4-0 at halftime.
In the 61st minute of the second half, Sunderland earned a long-range free kick. Granit Xhaka lifted the ball forward for Norddjé Mukiele, who hooked it before it went behind, with Daniel Ballard nodding home. However, VAR review determined that Mukiele fouled Mats Sels after making contact with the ball, causing the Forest player to lose balance on defense. The goal was ruled out as a foul.
In the 90+5th minute, Nicolas Dominguez delivered into the penalty area for Taiwo Awoniyi to break free and lay off for Elliott Anderson, who finished to seal Forest's dominant 5-0 victory.
Both teams have completed 34 matches. Sunderland remains on 46 points in 11th place with a comfortable position secured. Forest extended their unbeaten league run to 6 consecutive matches, accumulating 39 points to hold 16th place, increasing their gap from the 18th-placed relegation zone (Tottenham Hotspur) to 8 points.
