Goals:

0-1: McGeady (40, placed a cushioned header into the top corner after Matthews picked him out with a left-wing cross)

Bookings: Traore (82, foul)

Sending-off: None

Referee: Darren Bond (Lancashire) – A calm and correct performance in a match that needed nothing more from the man in the middle. 7

Attendance: 26,830

Entertainment: **

Forest Sund

Shots on 3 1

Shots off 19 0

Corners 5 1

Fouls 13 4

Offsides 0 0

NOTTINGHAM FOREST (4-2-3-1): Smith 6; Lichaj 6, Worrall 6, Mancienne 6, Osborn 6; Vaughan 6, Bouchalakis 5 (Traore 45 6); Brereton 5, DOWELL 7, McKay 6 (Carayol 61 6); Murphy 5 (Cummings 69 5) Subs (not used):Henderson (gk), Cash, Clough, Walker

SUNDERLAND (3-4-3):

7 Ruiter: Raced out of goal to deny Murphy early on but was rarely tested despite Forest dominating possession;

6 O’Shea: Lucky to get away with early misjudgement that allowed Murphy a clear sight of goal

7 Browning: A superb display in the heart of the Sunderland defence from a defender who is improving all the time

6 Wilson: A solid performance combining well in the back three to keep Forest quiet

7 Matthews: Got up and down the left wing all afternoon and supplied a peach of a cross for the goal;

8 Gibson: An excellent job organising the team and shielding his defenders

7 Honeyman: Ran his heart out for the team covering every blade of grass and using every drop of energy

7 Love: Another tireless worker on the flank, gave plenty of cover at the back and got forward whenever possible;.

6 McManaman: Unable to take advantage of Osborn’s lack of experience at left back

5 Maja: Made a bright start to the game but was starved of service and faded as a consequence

7 McGeady: Showed flashes of real skill and crucially took Sunderland’s one chance when it arrived

Subs:

Vaughan (for Maja 65):Tireless running off the ball 6

Gooch (for McManaman 70): truggled to make any inroads 5

Oviedo (for McGeady)

(not used): Steele (gk), Jones, Asoro, Embleton

Man Of The Match: DARRON Gibson – A calm presence in the middle of the park, his partnership with George Honeyman ensured Forest were unable to turn possession into clear-cut chances.