Morgan Gibbs-White fired a 15-minute hat trick to move Nottingham Forest closer to Premier League survival after a 4-1 win over Burnley.

Gibbs-White has so often been the hero for Forest since their return to the top flight and once again delivered when his side needed it the most.

Forest, who were in Europa League action on Thursday night, were labouring against the Clarets and a damaging afternoon looked on the cards when they fell behind to Zian Flemming's strike on the stroke of half-time.

But Gibbs-White produced the goods in a rampant second half, bagging a first career treble in just a quarter of an hour, with Igor Jesus adding a late fourth, to move the hosts five points clear of 18th-placed Tottenham.

Defeat was another nail in Burnley's relegation coffin and, with just one win since Oct. 26, their fate could be sealed by next weekend.

Elliot Anderson returned to the Forest side for the first time since the death of his mother, having missed Thursday's Europa League quarterfinal win over Porto.

The England midfielder laid flowers in the centre circle ahead of kick-off and there was a minute's applause as the City Ground got behind the 23-year-old.

Forest knew the size of their opportunity, but scoring goals had been a long-term problem at home and this match at first appeared to be no exception.

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The hosts lacked intensity of spark in a turgid first half, and their afternoon looked like taking a turn for the worse in stoppage time.

A poor defensive header from Nikola Milenkovic allowed Burnley to build an attack and Quilindschy Hartman's cross found its way through to Flemming, who converted at the far post.

The first goal always felt like it was going to be crucial and the prospect of scoring one was difficult enough, so two seemed like a mountain to climb.

But Igor Jesus was brought off the bench at half-time and provided a spark which suggested it might be possible.

The Brazilian striker's shot from the edge of the area was blocked and the ball fell kindly to Gibbs-White, who had time and space eight yards out, but rushed his shot and scuffed it horribly wide.

But he made amends in style as he enjoyed a golden 15 minutes.

First, he showed the required composure to bring Forest level in the 63rd minute. Milenkovic headed a ball back into the area, which Flemming could only flick on into the path of the home captain, who calmly slotted into the net.

He then sent the City Ground into raptures six minutes later as Forest went in front.

Omari Hutchinson got to the byline and stood up a cross for Gibbs-White to lash home at the far post, with a low controlled finish.

It got even better in the 76th minute as Forest killed the game.

Substitute Ryan Yates won the ball on the byline and sent in a cross for Gibbs-White to send a towering header into the top corner.

Forest added a fourth late in the game when Jesus raced clear and found the bottom corner.