Leeds United kicked further clear of Tottenham, West Ham and Nottingham Forest with victory against Wolves.
Leeds United’s relegation-battling rivals Nottingham Forest have given themselves a huge boost in their quest for Premier League survival thanks to a star’s brilliant treble and team’s collapse.
Saturday’s win at home to Wolves left Leeds eight points clear of third-bottom Tottenham who conceded a late equaliser for a 2-2 draw at home to Brighton but Daniel Farke’s Whites also kicked further clear of fourth-bottom West Ham and fifth-bottom Nottingham Forest.
The win against Wolves left Leeds seven points clear of West Ham and six ahead of Forest but with both the Hammers and Reds having a game in hand.
Forest then took on second-bottom Burnley on Sunday afternoon, knowing that a victory would take themselves five points clear of Tottenham and just two points behind Leeds.
After a tepid first half display, the Reds looked to be heading for a 1-0 defeat but Burnley then collapsed after the break as Morgan Gibbs-White netted a brilliant hat-trick en route to a 4-1 win for his side.
The Reds struggled to get going in a fairly uneventful first-half in which Forest were then dealt a fresh injury blow as star centre-back Murillo was forced off with what appeared to be a hamstring injury.
The defender felt the back of his leg and went to ground after making a clearance towards the end of the half and was quickly substituted for Jair Cunha with 42 minutes on the clock.
The half looked set to end goalless but a poor header from Nikola Milenkovic provided Burnley with the chance for a late attack and the Clarets took full advantage as Jaidon Anthony and then Quilindschy Hartman set up Zian Flemming to sweep home in the second minute of added time.
Boos greeted the half-the whistle and Reds boss Vitor Pereira made another change during the break as Dilane Bakwa was hooked and replaced by Igor Jesus to support Chris Wood upfront.
It was, though, Forest talisman star Morgan Gibbs-White who fluffed a huge chance to draw his side level in the 54th minute, slicing a shot wide when free in the area.
As the game reached the hour marker, Forest had still not yet had a shot on target but that all changed a few minutes later as an attempt at a cleared header from James Ward-Prowse fell in the area to Gibbs-White who this time made no mistake and swept home.
Gibbs-White was having a game or moreover a half to remember and it then got even better as a cross from Ryan Yates picked out the midfielder who applied a brilliant headed finish to complete a 16-minute hat-trick.
Forest were gradually turning the screw and Gibbs-White then fired his side ahead with a stunning finish in the 69th minute, the midfielder thumping home a first-time volley after being picked out by a Jesus cross.
Burnley had been blitzed and the Reds then added a fourth goal deep in second half stoppage time as Jesus got in behind the defence and calmly rolled home a neat finish into the bottom left corner.
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