The race into the Premiership was thrown wide open as Sunderland recorded a crushing victory over First Division leaders Nottingham Forest.

And the margin of victory was as deserved as it was emphatic with Peter Reid's side producing a professional and polished display.

Forest, who had gone to the top after a spectacular 4-0 victory over Middlesbrough at the weekend, had no answer to Sunderland once their initial offensive had been curbed.

Sunderland, determined not to be on the end of another Forest goal rush, were cautious at the start but there was a gathering threat in their attacks after the first 20 minutes.

In that time Lionel Perez saved a thunderous free-kick from Pierre Van Hooijdonk but then it was a case of mounting Sunderland pressure.

And in the 31st minute it brought reward when Forest, guilty of focusing their attentions on Niall Quinn, allowed Alex Rae to sneak in at the far post and head home Allan Johnston's cross.

Forest were stunned and could easily have conceded further goals before half-time with Dave Beasant having to fling himself full length to save from Johnston and then produce an even better save to keep out an effort that rebounded off Colin Cooper and looked destined for the corner of the net.

Sunderland kept their stranglehold at the start of the second half and leading scorer Kevin Phillips and skipper Kevin Ball went close to adding to their lead as Forest reeled under pressure.

It eventually told in the 65th minute when Johnston grabbed a decisive second goal.

Quinn was denied by a last ditch tackle by Forest defender Alan Rogers but the ball ran free for Johnston to clip a delightful effort over the head of Beasant.

Van Hooijdonk went close with another trademark free-kick but it was a vain attempt to get Forest back in the contest.

Ten minutes from time Phillips got his customary goal - his 23rd of the season to put him five behind Van Hooijdonk - with a clinical finish from Quinn's perfect cross.

There was still time for Quinn to go close to adding a fourth with a volley that crept just over the Forest bar.

Sunderland move to within three points of Middlesbrough and Forest at the top of the table with a game in hand.

Nottm Forest: Beasant, Lyttle (Thomas 62), Rogers, Cooper, Chettle, A. Johnson, D. Johnson (Bonalair 62), Gemmill, Van Hooijdonk, Campbell, Bart-Williams.

Subs Not Used: Hjelde.

Booked: Lyttle, Rogers, Cooper.

Sunderland: Perez, Holloway, Gray, Clark, Craddock, Williams, Ball, Rae, Quinn, Phillips, Johnston.

Subs Not Used: Makin, Summerbee, Dichio.

Booked: Craddock, Ball, Phillips, Rae.

Goals: Rae 31, Johnston 65, Phillips 80.

Att: 29,009

Ref: M C Bailey (Impington).