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Omar Alderete's goal was his first for Sunderland At a glance Ange Postecoglou was taking charge of his first home game as Forest boss Defeat means five games without a win for the ex-Spurs boss since appointment Omar Alderete seals win for in-form Sunderland with first-half finish Black Cats up to third after three wins from first six games PLAYER RATER Ange Postecoglou's difficult start to life as Nottingham Forest head coach continued as Omar Alderete's first-half goal gave Sunderland victory at the City Ground. The former Spurs boss, appointed on 9 September, has now lost three and drawn two of his first five games in charge, with Saturday's loss coming in his first home game with Forest. But the hosts will feel aggrieved by the manner of Sunderland's winner - with the visitors awarded a free-kick when Nicolas Dominguez was penalised for simulation when he clashed with Trai Hume while attempting to clear. Grant Xhaka sent the ball in from the set-piece and Alderete was there to direct it into the net. Dan Ndoye came close to equalising just before the break with a deflected effort before Chris Wood headed over. Elliot Anderson curled a shot just over the bar as Forest pushed for the leveller in the second half, while Robin Roefs - who has been excellent for Sunderland so far this season - saved well from Omari Hutchinson, Wood and a long-range Anderson effort. But despite the pressure, Forest could not find a goal as promoted Sunderland's third win of the season moved them up to third in the table. Forest, meanwhile, are 16th with just one win from their first six Premier League games. This video can not be played Postecoglou reacts to Forest's defeat against Sunderland There had been a mixed response among Forest fans to the bringing in of Postecoglou as Nuno Espirito Santo's successor. The Australian coach led Spurs to Europa League triumph in May but their Premier League form last season was awful as they finished just one place above the relegation zone. A quirk of the fixture list meant that Postecoglou's first four games at Forest were all away. But while he failed to win any of them, that run did include a loss at last season's runners-up Arsenal and a draw at Burnley, who boasted an incredible defensive record last season on their way to promotion back to the Premier League. The only real disappointment will have been the Carabao Cup defeat to Swansea - and they will be at a loss as to how they didn't get anything from this game. In the second half, they created chance after chance but either found Roefs in inspired form, or could not get their shots on target. Five games without a victory is undoubtedly a poor start to any head coach's career but there have been some signs of encouragement that the results will start to come. What did you make of Nottingham Forest’s display? What did you learn from Sunderland’s display? This video can not be played We are ready for this fight - Le Bris Sunderland fans happily stuck around long after the final whistle to celebrate a first away in the Premier League since 2017. In the intervening eight years, they have dropped down to League One but have built themselves back up again and already look like they belong in the top flight just six games into their return. They had to soak up a lot of pressure, particularly in a second half Forest dominated, but ultimately it was the ideal top-flight away performance as they dug in after taking the lead to secure another three points. Granit Xhaka continued to prove what an astute acquisition he has been with a dominant display in midfield while in Roefs they have a goalkeeper who is time and again frustrating the opposition with some outstanding saves. Nottinham Forest are back in Europa League action as they host FC Midtjylland on Thursday, 2 October (20: 00 BST). Sunderland, meanwhile, head to Manchester United in the Premier League on Saturday, 4 October (15: 00). After the opportunity to rate players has closed, the score displayed represents the average from all the submissions by BBC Sport users. Comments can not be loaded To load Comments you need to enable Java Script in your browser Last Updated 27th September 2025 at 20: 49 Please Note: All times UK. Tables are subject to change. The BBC is not responsible for any changes that may be made. Manager: Ange Postecoglou Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1 Manager: Régis Le Bris Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1 Manager: Ange Postecoglou Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1 Manager: Régis Le Bris Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1 Premier League All competitions All competitions All competitions This will be the first Premier League meeting between Nottingham Forest and Sunderland since the 1996-97 season, when the Tricky Trees lost 4-1 at home and drew 1-1 away that campaign. Sunderland have won five of their last seven league games against Nottingham Forest (L2), with this their first since a 1-0 Championship victory in December 2017 under Chris Coleman. Nottingham Forest have lost four of their last six Premier League home games (W1 D1), including a 3-0 loss to West Ham last time out. It’s as many defeats as they’d suffered in their previous 20 at the City Ground (W10 D6). Sunderland have eight points from their five Premier League games so far this season (W2 D2 L1) – only in 2009-10 (9) have they ever had more at this stage of a campaign in the competition. 80% of Nottingham Forest’s Premier League goals this season have come in the first half, the highest ratio of any side (4/5). Meanwhile, only West Ham (9) have conceded more second half goals than the Tricky Trees (6). Sunderland are one of just two sides yet to score in the first half of their Premier League games this season, along with Aston Villa. However, only league leaders Liverpool (7) have netted more goals in the second half of games than the Black Cats (6). Despite ranking joint-fifth for high turnovers in the Premier League this season with 33, Nottingham Forest have had a joint league-low one shot following a turnover this term. Nottingham Forest’s Callum Hudson-Odoi has made 27 ball carries ending in the opposition penalty area this season – only Jack Grealish (34) has made more. Only Bruno Fernandes (8) has made more line breaking passes that have led to a shot than Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson (7) in the Premier League this season. Wilson Isidor has scored three of Sunderland’s six goals in the Premier League this season. It’s the most goals a player has scored in the Black Cats’ first five games of a top-flight campaign since Steven Fletcher in 2012-13 (5). Foul by Elliot Anderson (Nottingham Forest). Foul by Arthur Masuaku (Sunderland). Dilane Bakwa (Nottingham Forest) wins a free kick in the defensive half. Corner, Sunderland. Conceded by Oleksandr Zinchenko. First Half begins. Lineups are announced and players are warming up. Copyright © 2025 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.