Morgan Gibbs-White scored a hat trick in Nottingham Forest's 4-1 victory over Burnley, helping the team move five points clear of relegation. Burnley, now 12 points adrift, faces a tough challenge ahead with Manchester City next.
Key points
Morgan Gibbs-White scored a hat trick
Nottingham Forest won 4-1 against Burnley
Burnley is now 12 points adrift of safety
Forest moves five points clear of the relegation zone
Burnley led 1-0 through Zian Flemming and threatened to put a few more kernels of hope in their safety plan, but relegation is now almost-certain after Gibbs-White's second-half trio of goals.
Lyle Foster gets space to snap a left-footed volley from close range but Sels slaps it out for a corner kick in the 65th minute. Foul during the attempt and it goes the other way.
Morgan Gibbs-White goal — Nottingham Forest 1-1 Burnley
Nikola Milenkovic wins a huge header and James Ward-Prowse's bid to stop the ball with a header only puts it backward onto the path of Morgan Gibbs-White, who does not miss his chance to level the line from in-tight.
Martin Dubravka injury
The Clarets keeper climbs his own player to punch a free kick and goes head over heels to hand hard on his back.
Is it a head injury, back, leg? After some time on the pitch, he's able to keep going though it didn't look that way at the jump.
Halftime — Nottingham Forest 0-1 Burnley
Well, that was unexpected.
Five total shot attempts between the sides in the first half and the only two on target were both property of Burnley.
Forest are just not there, and Murillo's injury is hanging over the proceedings. Potentially a big result for Spurs and West Ham.
Zian Flemming goal — Forest 0-1 Burnley
A Quilindschy Hartman pass somehow bounces through a number of Forest defenders and Flemming is there to whip it across goal and inside the far post for his ninth of the season.
Murillo injury
The Forest back is going to limp off in the 42nd minute and that's a big question mark for this game and the Tricky Trees' goals both domestically and abroad.
Jair Cunha will come into the game to take his place.
Sels gets low
James Ward-Prowse and free kicks are still a big deal, and Burnley have the first real moment of danger as the veteran tries a dangerous, huge free kick that swings around the wall and toward the far post.
Matz Sels scurries to his right to slap it away from the side netting.
Sloooow start
To say this game is still waiting for its moment is being kind.
Almost 20 minutes into the affair and waiting for a proper shot attempt.
Nottingham Forest vs Burnley preview — by Joe Prince-Wright
Nottingham Forest reached the Europa League semifinals in midweek but now they must focus on a huge Premier League game in their scrap to stay in the top-flight as they host struggling Burnley on Sunday.
Vitor Pereira's side beat FC Porto 1-0 on Thursday (2-1 on aggregate) to reach the semifinals of the Europa League where they will face Midlands rivals Aston Villa (they drew 1-1 at home against Villa last weekend). But in the league they sit just a few points above the relegation zone heading into this weekend and their main aim is to stay in the top-flight, even amid the lure of European glory and a spot in the Champions League.
Burnley will be relegated soon as Scott Parker's side have had a really tough season back in the Premier League as their status as a yo-yo club continues to frustrate their fans. Burnley lost 2-0 against Brighton last weekend and if other results go against them, they could be relegated as soon as Wednesday when they host Manchester City.
Nottingham Forest team news, focus
Chris Wood is finally back from injury for the final few weeks of the season and that will ease the pressure on Igor Jesus up top. Morgan Gibbs-White has been putting in some great displays but Callum Hudson-Odoi was injured in the midweek win against Porto which is a blow. Murillo and Elliot Anderson should be fit to feature and Forest will keep it tight at the back and will whip in plenty of crosses and press Burnley high early.
Burnley team news, focus
Parker's side are playing for pride and they never truly give up, but there has just been a lack of quality in the final third in key moments all season long. Burnley are missing Josh Cullen, Zeki Amdouni, Hannibal, Connor Roberts, Josh Laurent and Jordan Beyer through injury, while Axel Tuanzebe is a doubt.
Nottingham Forest vs Burnley prediction
This is a must-win game for Forest in their hopes of staying in the Premier League and boosted by their big midweek win, they will get over the line. Nottingham Forest 2-0 Burnley.
How to watch Nottingham Forest vs Burnley live, stream link and start time
