MATCH REPORT: NOTTINGHAM FOREST 4 - 1 BURNLEY
Gibbs-White's second half hat-trick floors Clarets
2026-04-19T14:59:23.564Z
MATCH REPORT: NOTTINGHAM FOREST 4 - 1 BURNLEY
Gibbs-White's second half hat-trick floors Clarets
2026-04-19T14:59:23.564Z
Zian Flemming’s ninth Premier League goal of the season proved in vain, as Burnley let slip a one-goal lead again on the road, losing 4-1 to Nottingham Forest on Sunday afternoon.
Leading at the break courtesy of Flemming’s fine finish, the Clarets were left licking their wounds yet again on their travels, with Morgan Gibbs-White netting a sublime second half hat-trick, before Igor Jesus notched a late fourth, to clinch a comfortable victory for the hosts.
Scott Parker’s side now sit 12 points adrift of safety, with five Premier League match-rounds remaining.
On a sunny Spring afternoon on the Trent, there was little to separate the two sides in the opening quarter of an hour.
Forest, buoyed by a Europa League victory over Portuguese giants Porto in midweek, enjoyed the lion’s share of territory and possession, but Burnley stood firm as the clock ticked beyond the 20-minute mark, with neither keeper called into action.
Soon after, the Clarets threatened briefly when James Ward-Prowse’s clever free-kick found Jaidon Anthony out wide, but – having skipped past Ola Aina – his cross came to nothing.
When a chance of any note did arrive, it was Ward-Prowse, arguably the most influential player on the pitch during the opening exchanges, who tested Matz Sels with a dipping free-kick from fully 30-yards out, that the Forest keeper did well to tip to safety.
Forest were forced into a change shortly before the break, when Murillo – in the act of denying Flemming, who had initially got goal-side of the defender – appeared to tweak his hamstring, and was replaced by Jair Cunha.
The first half seemed destined to end goalless, but there was one last opportunity in the second of two added minutes – and the Clarets, and that man Flemming once again, made no mistake!
A fine break resulted in Anthony teeing up Quilindschy Hartman on the left-hand side of the penalty box, and his pull-back was met by Flemming, whose thunderous low drive gave Sels absolutely no chance.
It was a wonderfully worked team goal, with Flemming continuing his fine individual campaign with his tenth goal of the season in all competitions.
The visitors came out the blocks quickly in the second half, but Gibbs-White fluffed his lines with a weak effort when unmarked in the box.
Despair soon turned to joy for the Forest faithful and their captain though, as the England midfielder levelled matters with a well-taken goal, slotting the ball home with aplomb past Martin Dúbravka.
Burnley were almost back in front moments later, when Lyle Foster – on for Marcus Edwards in the immediate aftermath of the equaliser – saw his back-post effort tipped around the post by Sels.
The game had suddenly come alive, and with gaps now starting to appear, it was Forest who took full advantage.
Unmarked again at the back post, Gibbs-White made no mistake, firing a volley beneath Dúbravka for his and Forest’s second.
Remarkably, the Forest skipper then scored his third goal of the half on 78 minutes, heading home from 12-yards out to all but end the contest.
The hosts put the gloss on a stunning second half display with a fourth in added time, as Jesus rounded off the scoring.
Nottingham Forest: Sels, Williams, Murillo (Jair Cunha 41), Sangarè, Anderson, Gibbs-White (Dominguez 89), Wood (Yates 76), Hutchinson (Morata 89), Bakwa (Jesus 46), Milekovic, Aina.
Unused substitutes: Ortega, Awoniyi, McAtee, Netz.
Burnley: Dúbravka, Walker, Hartman, Estève, Ugochukwu (Bruun Larsen 75), Edwards (Foster 64), Anthony (Tchaouna 83), Florentino (Laurent 84), Ekdal, Flemming (Broja 84), Ward-Prowse.
Unused substitutes: Weiss, Worrall, Humphreys, Trèsor.
Goals: Flemming (45+2), Gibbs-White (63, 70, 78), Jesus (90+8)
Attendance: 29, 458
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