Match Report

Burnley enhanced their play-off aspirations with a five-star performance that demolished relegation threatened Nottingham Forest at Turf Moor.

Burnley suffered an early blow when in-form striker Steven Thompson was stretchered off after only six minutes to be replaced by teenage starlet Jay Rodriguez.

The Clarets went in front on 19 minutes when a Robbie Blake free-kick from wide on the left evaded both attackers and defenders alike before nestling into the net.

Burnley increased their lead seven minutes before half-time as Blake teased and tormented the Forest defence before picking out Wade Elliott to score.

Two goals in four minutes made the game safe as a Graham Alexander free-kick found striker Martin Paterson, who crossed for central defender Clarke Carlisle to score with a header.

Teenager Rodriguez made it 4-0 on 55 minutes when he collected a short pass from Blake and curled an outstanding right-foot shot beyond Forest goalkeeper Paul Smith.

Burnley substitute Joey Gudjonsson went close to extending the lead even further when he hammered a 30-yard free-kick just wide of the target.

But the home side did not have to wait long for their fifth goal as the Forest defence could only clear a cross from Chris Eagles as far as Gudjonsson, who volleyed the ball past a helpless Smith.

While the victory will encourage Owen Coyle's team in their bid to make the play-offs, the result will do little for the confidence of Forest, who will be living on their nerves with many more performances like this.

Corners

Fouls

Goal attempts

Shots off target

Offsides