Forest take huge step towards safety after five goal thrashing of Sunderland

0:00Thank you.

0:30...on target.

0:35It's a memorable statement in the fight for survival from Vitor Pereira and Nottingham Forest. No one could have believed they would have come to this stadium and produced this result. But it's a result that sees them eight points clear of Spurs. an own goal from Hulme a goal for Wood a goal for Igor Jesus a goal for Gibbs White and a goal for the former Newcastle man Elliot Anderson and a clean sheet as well they could not have asked for more for Sunderland a disappointing night but for Nottingham Forest will it be the night that they seal their status in the top flight final score Sunderland nil would you believe it Nottingham Forest five what a result for Nottingham Forest away at Sunderland Nottingham Forest now eight points clear of relegation with four games to go how big of an achievement was tonight Michael and could that potentially be the win that saves them?

1:51Potentially I think it sends a message out to West Ham United and Tottenham Hotspur tomorrow I said before the game, Friday night gives you an opportunity. You've got eight points clear of Spurs, and what a way to do it. Look, the first 15 minutes, Sunderland came out of the blocks, gifted an opportunity, and wow did they pounce on it. From 17th minute, they get their own goal, and then to go out and win 5-0. What a night for Nottingham Forest. Nine goals scored now in the last two games. They are really stepping it up when they need it the most. Incredible. This is the result of the season. It's the result of the season to go there and the predicament they're in, they're trying to stay in the Premier League, to go there and win 5-0.

2:31I know Sunderland's form at home hasn't been great of late, but this is still a difficult place to go. And they had real quality, especially from that man there, Morgan Gibbs-White, he just gives you that X-factor. He's the stardust in this team. And then they bring in Chris Wood, obviously, who's so important for them in terms of getting hold of the ball. An unbelievable result. I could only imagine what Nuno's thinking now and Dezerbi's thinking now. They're probably watching that behind their sofa thinking, oh, we've got it all on now. Yeah. Because it's not enough just yet, I would say. But these three points are absolutely huge.

3:02Just to take the pressure off. And they've got Europe as well still to enjoy. And if they can get one more win, they're absolutely guaranteed. But 39 points at this stage of the season is a brilliant effort. And great job from the manager as well. You can see the smiles on their faces. But how much pressure then is there on Spurs and West Ham tomorrow after this? Yeah, it's a must win for Tottenham Hotspur tomorrow. going to Wolves and West Ham take on Everton. So these two teams, it looks now that Nottingham Forest and Leeds United are going to be safe. I mean, they won't be saying that from in the camp, don't get me wrong, but when you put yourself eight points ahead of the team sitting in third bottom, what a night of football it was and what a result.

3:41And the run they've been on in the last six, winning three, drawing three, and they've had some tough games in that, started scoring goals. I mean, it's been a real turnaround for this Nottingham Forest team. we keep saying we said it at half time we're going to keep saying it tonight as well but this feels like a statement doesn't it from nottingham forest the performance a result like this absolutely and they're they're in form and that's that's really what is the difference and if you look at the other sides that are really struggling to get any momentum you look at top the hotspur and that's the problem other sides around them leeds nottingham forest are finding wins west ham have had a few wins of late so somehow you have to create that atmosphere that character, a system that works for you.

4:19But full credit to the manager. Great job tonight. Okay, let's get some match reaction then with two of the goal scorers tonight. Chris Wood and Elliot Anderson with Nathalie Gedra. Guys, really well done. Five mil. What a statement. What was key for you guys to have such a dominant performance tonight? Look, I think it was just building on what we did in the second half of last week. That's what we want to do. We're going to continue to build and get better and show what we're capable of and starting fast and doing what we did today was fantastic. You guys didn't look at all like a team who struggled throughout the season you're playing with so much confidence so so much positivity how's it been building this confidence in this run yeah it's been it's been good we're on a good run at the minute unbeaten and it's yeah it's took a while but i think we fully believe in ourselves and the manager's right behind us and we're really enjoying it the fans behind you singing for this guy how good is it to have him back and score yeah it's amazing and it gives the team a big confidence, you know, and to score.

5:18I was speaking to him the other day and he said when you come back from injury and you score, you get huge confidence, so I'm really happy. How are the levels of confidence then? Look, yeah, it's better when you score goals and you get more and more, it becomes more and more confident, so it's great, but what a great win and that's what the main thing was tonight. What worked so well in this formation tonight? I think it just plays to a lot of our strengths. A lot of the boys get to play in their favourite position and work hard with it, and it just came off on the night and we need to continue with that.

5:44What can you tell us about your goal? A special moment? Yeah, definitely. Yeah, it's just really happy to score here as well. And I just know that my mum would have been really proud with that one. So, happy. What does it say about him, Chris? Because you guys had a lovely tribute to him and you guys are such a united team. What does it say that he's already hitting the heights after going through such an emotional moment? Yeah, 100%. He's an extraordinary man. The stuff that him and his family have gone through over the last couple of weeks is truly heartbreaking. But it takes a big character and a strong bloke to come out and perform the way he did both last week and today.

6:23And I think that goal was a tribute to his mum, definitely, and Helen's always in our thoughts. Lovely. And now eight points from relegation, even though West Ham and Spurs are still playing. But how big does it feel tonight? Look, it's massive. It's a big mental one, I think. For us, it gives us that bit of breathing room and it puts a bit of pressure on the two chasing behind. back-to-back wins does that for you and we're going to look into going next week after we play Villa in the Cup and then we look to go again against Chelsea and hopefully get the same result. Guys, congratulations, really well done.

6:52Cheers, thank you. Thank you.

6:59Yeah, really big night tonight then for Nottingham Forest and especially as well for Elliot Anderson who's been going through a really tough period at the moment. It's a special moment for him to score as well.

7:17So that is the Friday night football wrapped up with Nottingham Forest hitting five past Sunderland but the football does not stop there. There's so many games still to come, some massive games as well. West Ham against Everton, they're looking to extend their gap away from relegation as are Spurs. Currently in the relegation zone, they go to already relegated Wolves. Then it's Arsenal against Newcastle Saturday Night Football with the Monday Night Football focus Manchester United against Brentford.

7:51Well we've said just how important this game, this result was for Nottingham Forest. Have a look at that then. Eight points clear of the relegation zone. The other team still yet to play but that has got to give them a massive boost and a lot of hope for Premier League safety.

8:14So the football doesn't stop there as we mentioned. Arsenal looking to go back top against Newcastle. That is your focus on Saturday Night Football. All the coverage getting underway at five o 'clock. And then on Monday Night Football sees Manchester United welcome Brentford 6.30 Sky Sports Premier League. And remember the Super 6 rounds are coming in thick and fast. another quarter of a million pounds on the line this weekend and you can have your say for free by scanning the QR code on the screen or you can head over to the app or website you can enter by three o 'clock tomorrow and we wish you the very best of luck.

8:49And all episodes of Prisoner are now available for you from Thursday on Sky Atlantic.

8:59Well Jamie Redknapp and Michael Dawson with me to go through all of the events from tonight. What a brilliant performance it was from Nottingham Forest who have managed to score five goals at Sunderland and give themselves huge hope in their Premier League safety.

9:27Are you a fan of Fantasy Premier League? If the answer is yes, then make sure you check out the Sky Sports Fantasy Podcast. Whether you're a hardcore player or someone that takes a more casual approach, there's something for everyone. I'm James Savandra and every week I'll be joined by one of the best FPL managers in the game. They'll give you all the tips and advice you need to beat your mini league rivals. They'll give you top transfer advice and provide you with important information like the best time to use your chips. So make sure you tune in to the Sky Sports fantasy podcast. It's available now on skysports.com or wherever you get your podcasts.

10:11This is the Sky Sports Premier League podcast. Let's get more analysis of the game and return to the student.

10:21Well, it was a night to remember for Nottingham Forest. It all started with this own goal from Trey Hulme to make it 1-0. 2-0 happened pretty quickly. Chris Wood getting in on the action, his first goal since the opening weekend. Then things got a little bit more comfortable. Morgan Gibbs-White, 7-7 for him to make it 3-0. Igor Jesus getting in on the action, 2-0. 4-0 it was for Nottingham Forest, but they weren't done then. Elliot Anderson in amongst the goals too, which leaves Nottingham Forest eight points clear of relegation going into the rest of the weekend.

11:01So these are the match stats then. Six shots on target for Nottingham Forest, five of those resulting in goals, less possession, but of course it's the goals that matter and it's the victory that matters for Nottingham Forest in the end.

11:22Well clearly lots of celebrations in the dressing room as well you can see this with the players so happy about this aren't they Jamie with the win and clearly this this is what it means to them absolutely everything they're the great moments you miss them Dorf didn't you when you're in that dressing room they'll feel so good about it they'll know they're on 39 points now giving themselves a great chance to stay in the Premier League and obviously a lot to do with how well Morgan Gibbs-White played to that. And we're going to be talking to him now, I think. Yeah, we absolutely are. Good timing.

11:49Morgan Gibbs-White, thank you so much for joining us. Really good to see you. How was that? I mean, that has to be one of the most unforgettable nights of the season so far. Yeah, definitely. It was quite special. I didn't think we could top the other day, but we go and do it. I think that's just credit to the boys and shows the character in the dressing room and the belief and the confidence that we have right now going into games. We said that this feels like a real statement from Nottingham Forest as well. Is that how it feels to you guys? And how did you sort of unlock this level tonight? 100%.

12:23I think most of it comes from the gaffer. Just showing that belief in his players, giving us confidence in training sessions to make us believe that we can go out there and put on good performances and put on a show. But we've always known that we've had that character and that belief in the dressing room. I think it's just been a bit of a difficult season. for us at the start and I think we're settled now. We've got a good way of playing, we understand each other. And again, the boys put on another incredible performance. Morgan, Michael Dawson, congratulations with a win. Another goal for you and an assist.

13:0013 goals in your last four games. Before that, you'd only scored 28. What's clicked? If I had the answers, I wish I could tell you. Honestly, I don't know. So I think I'm just, I think at the start of the season, we obviously, we didn't really have Woody. Woody wasn't fit, was he? So I was always trying to, he was always my go-to with passing and getting assists and stuff. Obviously this season, we had that sort of different scenario. So I always try to make the box more. And, you know, luckily enough, it's paying off. I've been practising and training and it's paying off in game. So I'm delighted.

13:36Morgan, Jamie Rednapp, I thought you were top today, mate. Absolutely brilliant in there. Some great pieces of play. you mentioned your link up with Chris Wood I hope you've got a screen there I do want to talk about that assist because the form you're in after coming to the back of a hat trick was there any thought in your mind about having a shot? No, not a chance he's had a tough period of time he has, a really tough period of time being out for so long and obviously he's had a few games back and still hasn't had that goal so the first point in my mind was to pass in the ball because he deserves it He's worked so hard to come back, ready for the end of the season to help the boys.

14:14So, yeah, the first thought in my mind was to give it to him. And I had no doubt that he was going to took it away. And the pace of the pass was obviously so important to get it there as quickly as you can without it bobbling up around him. Yeah, when he first took his touch, I thought he was offside. But, you know, a striker's instinct, they always know where to be in the right time. So I knew as soon as I passed it to him, it was all down to him. And I knew he was going to put it away. And, you know, luckily enough, he did. And that sort of eased us into the rest of the game then. Talk about the set pieces today.

14:41You were a real threat. Every time you had one, you sort of played a lot of short corners. You improvised really well. Just talk about the movement you get here because you get into the box and then you come into the next one for the second phase from the header back from Igor. Yeah, so my sort of role in the set pieces was to try and get a little block on a couple of people. And then when I seen they went short, I knew I'm not the biggest threat in the box. Obviously, with the likes of Woody, Milenkovic, Igor, Ibra, them in the box so I just tried to find a bit of space in there and you know luckily enough it went back post and I was screaming it screaming at Igor to set the ball back and it was a perfect header back and I just slotted it in.

15:20Great finish. Morgan you're in great form you know you've got some big games coming up for Forest Europe on Thursday then Chelsea I'm looking ahead to the summer I'm looking at England squad are you because I believe you should be in it. Thank you I I appreciate that. No, my full focus is on getting Nottingham Forest safe and trying to see how far we can go in the Europa League. I've said it in interviews before, is that I can only control what I can control and that's my performances here. So my full focus is on that and then whatever will be, will be. Morgan, you've clearly taken a huge step towards Premier League safety, but what's the feeling like in the dressing room at the moment?

15:59Is there still work to be done or are you feeling pretty confident now? No, there's always work to be done. No game in the Premier League is easy, especially with our run of games that we've got. We've got a real tough run of games. So we've got to remain focused, keep the performances going and keep taking our chances the way we are. And hopefully it will all take care of itself. But we're putting ourselves in a good position right now. You've also got Villa on Thursday, Europa League. How are you looking ahead to that one? Confident. As you can tell in the boys' performances over the last few games, everybody's really confident.

16:34we're obviously going into that game wanting to win wanting to perform well we're obviously going to go in there with a good game plan and hopefully we can get the job done because it's been 30 years since we've been in European competitions to be able to get to a final and to give that back to the fans would be incredible. Morgan thank you very much for your time we have got you the player of the match award I'm hoping that someone is going to be able to give it to you there there you go Congratulations. Thanks, guys. I appreciate it. Good luck for the rest of the season. Cheers. Thanks, guys.

17:07Thank you. So, really important result, as we said, for Nottingham Forest because it puts them eight points clear of the relegation zone ahead of the rest of the weekend's fixtures. And we've spoken a little bit about will this give them an advantage playing first? Well, clearly, they are making a statement by playing first, aren't they? Yeah, definitely. We said at the top of the show, this could be crucial. You know, five before they kicked a ball. If they didn't get the result, they did. And then it can close. Now the gap's got bigger. they can certainly enjoy tonight, which we're listening at Morgan there.

17:34They've got a real togetherness. I touched on how many goals they've scored in recent weeks. I said 13, not just because he's got 13, but as a team, they've scored that in the last four games. It was 28 before then. It just shows everyone coming together. They've always had this spirit, but being able to deal with Europe as well and the Premier League. And how big is that for the goals today as well? Gives you goal difference, a massive boost from, obviously Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham. you know that's so important it goes down a goal difference it's huge for Forrest huge is it now just between West Ham and Spurs for you Jamie?

18:07I don't think 39 do I think that will keep you up? yes but you have to work on the basis that anything is still possible you know West Ham have got you're asking Tottenham to win four games you know and is that going to be possible? we don't know Chris Wood said something you've got to win back to back games that's the key everything can change you get six points and then all of a sudden the whole complexion of it looks different but Tottenham Hotspur have to go to Walsh tomorrow and win West Ham tomorrow now will be looking at it thinking we have to win that home game and then obviously Brentford, Arsenal but you think with the way that Nottingham Forest are playing after that result today you could tell me they're not going to find a point or two with the confidence they've got that was a brilliant result for them tonight yeah massive I mean I look at the Burnley game for Leeds if they don't lose that they stay up however if they do then they play Spurs and they play West Ham so then if they lose both of them and then the other teams win all of them.

19:00There's so many different things that will come into it, but what you have to do is you have to take care of what you can affect, and that's winning your football matches. It's really hard to predict, isn't it? What's going to happen in the Premier League? Because we just never know, do we? However, looking at that Spurs game, Wolves, they need to win that one, don't they? Yeah, I mean, I looked at the Brighton game last week. I thought that was a must win. West Ham, obviously, drawing against Crystal Palace. I think Spurs got off with one there, so it was only two points. They win tomorrow, West Ham lose.

19:27it's all ifs and buts the only thing they can do they have to beat Wolves tomorrow have to I think if they don't win tomorrow if they lose the game I think you could pretty much say that because what that will do to any kind of confidence momentum that was a real kick in the teeth last week with what Brighton did to them at last minute and they've got to pick themselves up and go there and West Ham now because as I mentioned managers now are looking at everything you can get and I don't think anybody expected that result tonight maybe I thought before the game a point would be a good result but to go there and completely turn the goal difference in your favour and get three points in the manner that they did will certainly have sent shockwaves through the West Ham and Tottenham Hotspur fan base and the players and the manager.

20:08OK, time for a quick break now. But when we come back, we'll be getting more reaction from both managers. I'm pretty sure one will be much happier than the other. Don't go anywhere. We'll be back after this.

20:29Did you know you can stream live Premier League football through Now TV? It's an instant streaming service offering access to all 12 Sky Sports channels, every Sky Sports Plus stream and much more. There are day or month membership options available and you don't need to be a Sky customer to use it. Just head to nowtv.com to check out the latest packages.

21:26FANALYSIS