Sunderland gained ground on the pacesetters in Division One as Julio Arca's fourth goal of the season gave them victory over Nottingham Forest.
With leaders Norwich surprisingly beaten by Bradford, the Black Cats knew victory would greatly enhance their automatic promotion hopes.
And seven minutes before half time Argentinian Arca delivered the killer finish with a stunning 25-yarder to give his side the points.
Sunderland manager Mick McCarthy welcomed back a host of players who missed last weekend's FA Cup win over Hartlepool.
Skipper Jason McAteer was restored to the side after a bout of flu while Tommy Smith started in attack after shaking off an ankle injury.
Kevin Kyle was named among the substitutes following a one-match suspension while new signing Kevin Cooper also began on the bench after completing his three-month loan move from Wolves.
Nottingham Forest named the same XI that claimed a shock 1-0 win over West Brom last time out.
That meant there was no place for on-loan Michael Stewart or Michael Dawson with both missing out again due to injury.
The Black Cats went into the game unbeaten at home since September and it did not take them long to show why they have been so impressive on their own turf.
After four minutes Arca burst forward and hit a 25-yard effort that flashed just wide before 11 minutes later Marcus Stewart went close from inside the
box.
After some slick passing Forest threatened themselves and Brynjar Gunnarsson was unlucky with a right-footed shot that edged past the post.
Then after half-an-hour Andy Reid should have done better with a curling effort from the edge of the box.
But it was Sunderland who looked the more purposeful going forward and after a spell of pressure they forged ahead just before the break.
When play was switched to the right the Black Cats broke clear with Marcus Stewart surging down the flank.
And with the Forest defence struggling to recover the striker squared expertly back in-field where Arca stepped forward to hit a stunning low drive into the
bottom corner of the net.
That was no more than the hosts deserved and after the break they pushed forward again with shots raining in on the Forest goal.
Stewart was proving a handful for the visitors' defence and after 54 minutes he broke clear to flash a shot wide before drilling another effort at goalkeeper Darren Ward.
Then with 58 minutes gone the same player threatened again, latching onto a cross from Arca to fire over the crossbar.
Sunderland were rampant and with McAteer also heading close it seemed only a matter of time before they added a second goal.
But at only 1-0 the hosts were always susceptible to a quick Forest counter-attack and in the end they were almost made to pay for a string of missed chances.
With time running out Reid began to impose himself on the midfield battle as Forest found a second wind.
Then, after the ball broke for him on the edge of the box, the Irishman had a chance to snatch his side a point but he drilled wide of the target when well placed to score.
Teams
Sunderland Poom, McCartney, Bjorklund, Babb, Wright, Arca,
Whitley, McAteer, Butler (Kyle 36), Stewart (Proctor 90),
Tommy Smith (Williams 88).
Subs Not Used: Ingham, Cooper.
Booked: Stewart.
Goals: Arca 38.
Nottm Forest Ward, Louis-Jean, Morgan, Walker, Robertson,
Thompson, Williams, Gunnarsson (Jess 78), King, Reid,
Taylor (Bopp 79).
Subs Not Used: Roche, Doig, Sonner.
Booked: Bopp.
Att: 26,340
Ref: M Atkinson (W Yorkshire).
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