'So much to like and admire about rejuvenated Forest'

[Getty Images]

Vitor Pereira appeared to revel in talking about his team's remarkable performance at Sunderland - he had great reason to be so proud.

Broadcasters waiting to speak to him in the interview area after full-time were greeted with a beaming smile and a rich enthusiasm for what he had just seen his side produce.

The Portuguese had high praise his coaching staff - particularly those tasked with organising set pieces - because Forest had been lethal with them in the first half onslaught that saw them take a wrecking ball to a Sunderland defence that could hardly be labelled as weak or ill-prepared.

The variety of executions with the dead ball seemed to outwit Sunderland as Regis le Bris alluded to afterwards. Forest were so potent. Omari Hutchinson sparkled on the wing, Chris Wood made a welcome return to the Premier League goal scoring roster and Morgan Gibbs-White is playing as effectively as any Premier League player at the moment. Such form is breeding confidence in those around him.

Having lost my own mum to illness two years ago, Elliott Anderson's goal pulled at the heart-strings as I am sure it did with many others. There were no boos for this outstanding footballer, formerly of Sunderland's rivals down the road.

There was so much to like and admire about this seminal win for Pereira's team. He's rejuvenated Forest and they are well set now to take on Aston Villa for a place in a European final. They won't be relegated - and that looked a red hot possibility when they switched managers in February.