London, April 25: Nottingham Forest took a huge step towards Premier League survival with a stunning 5-0 demolition of Sunderland at the Stadium of Light.
Fresh from their 4-1 win over Burnley, Forest moved eight points clear of the relegation zone and piled pressure on Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham in the battle to avoid joining already relegated Burnley and Wolves.
Forest struck first in the 16th minute when Igor Jesus’ header from a well-worked short corner deflected in off Trai Hume. Sunderland’s misery worsened when goalkeeper Robin Roefs gifted possession to Morgan Gibbs-White, who set up Chris Wood for his first league goal since the opening day of the season.
Gibbs-White then added a third with a low finish after another clever header from Jesus, who later grabbed the fourth himself as Sunderland completely collapsed before half-time.
Dan Ballard had a goal ruled out for the hosts after VAR intervention, while Elliot Anderson completed the rout in stoppage time, handing Sunderland their heaviest-ever home defeat at the Stadium of Light.
Fulham Dent Villa’s Top-3 Push
Aston Villa missed the chance to climb into the top three after suffering a narrow 1-0 defeat against Fulham at Craven Cottage.
Villa, who started the day fourth, needed only a point to move above Manchester United into third place, but Ryan Sessegnon’s 43rd-minute strike proved decisive.Emiliano Martinez had initially saved Sasa Lukic’s header, but Sessegnon reacted quickest to convert from close range and hand Fulham all three points.
The defeat leaves Villa vulnerable to slipping to fifth in the standings, with the race for Champions League qualification growing tighter as the top five teams will qualify next season.
West Ham Snatch Late Win Over Everton
West Ham boosted their survival hopes with a dramatic 2-1 victory over Everton, thanks to Callum Wilson’s stoppage-time winner.
Tomas Soucek gave the Hammers the lead six minutes into the second half with a trademark header from Jarrod Bowen’s corner, marking his 200th Premier League start for the club in style.
However, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall equalised in the 88th minute, briefly pushing West Ham into the relegation zone as Tottenham were leading Wolves.
But substitute Wilson kept his cool deep into added time, slotting home the winner to spark wild celebrations at the London Stadium and keep West Ham two points above the bottom three.
Tottenham Stay Alive with Wolves Win
Tottenham Hotspur kept their survival hopes alive with a nervy 1-0 win over already relegated Wolves at Molineux.
Joao Palhinha scored the decisive goal seven minutes from time, stabbing home from close range to secure Spurs’ first Premier League victory since December.
The visitors dominated possession but struggled to create clear chances, while Antonin Kinsky produced a brilliant late save to deny Joao Gomes and preserve the win.
Despite the result, Tottenham remain third from bottom, still two points behind West Ham with only four games left.
Liverpool Tighten Grip on Top Five
Liverpool strengthened their Champions League push with a 3-1 victory over Crystal Palace at Anfield.
Alexander Isak scored his first Premier League goal at Anfield since joining from Newcastle, giving Liverpool the lead with a looping finish. Andy Robertson doubled the advantage after a swift counterattack.Palace responded through Daniel Munoz, but Florian Wirtz sealed the win deep into stoppage time. (Agencies)w
