Six goals in the space of four days - not bad for a club so short of firepower they had to borrow an unproven novice from one of their Championship rivals on Friday just to make up the numbers.

With Kevin Kyle set to have a second steroid injection today in an attempt to stave off a three-month injury lay-off, Sunderland were supposed to be in the grip of a striker crisis.

But, after following up Saturday's four-goal romp at Gillingham with a comfortable 2-0 win over Nottingham Forest, it is tempting to conclude that the Black Cats might actually be a more threatening proposition without their imposing number nine.

They are certainly a better passing outfit when the option of a hopeful punt into Kyle's chest is taken out of the equation and, in a league full of defenders more used to dealing with power than poise, a necessity to pass and move already looks to be working in Sunderland's favour.

It did for Forest last night, with Julio Arca's fourth-minute opener ending a passage of slick midfield interplay.

While Stephen Wright's second came from a corner, Sunderland's superior ability with the ball on the deck was ultimately the difference between the sides.

Given Saturday's resounding 4-0 win, it was no surprise to see Mick McCarthy name an unchanged line-up for only the second time this season.

Marcus Stewart and Stephen Elliott partnered each other in attack in the absence of Kyle, while summer signing Dean Whitehead retained his place on the right of midfield in preference to Wales international John Oster.

Just as Stewart had given the Black Cats an early lead at the Priestfield Stadium, so Whitehead proved instrumental in teeing up Arca to do likewise at the Stadium of Light.

The former Oxford midfielder played an intelligent one-two with Elliott on the right flank, before spotting Stewart unmarked on the edge of the area.

With Forest centre-half Jon Hjelde down injured, the weekend hat-trick hero was able to roll the ball into Arca's path and the Argentinian, who scored the winner in this fixture last season, drilled a crisp left-footed drive into the far corner of the net.

Sunderland's lead almost evaporated within a minute as Marlon King volleyed wide from ten yards after the home side's defence had failed to clear a routine cross.

But, after Jeff Whitley had gone close following a typically bludgeoning run into the box, the Black Cats underlined their early superiority with an emphatic second.

Forest's defenders failed to react to Whitehead's 11th-minute corner, allowing full-back Wright to steal in at the front post to plant an unstoppable header past the helpless Paul Gerrard.

With Whitley and Carl Robinson dominating the centre of midfield, the visitors struggled to get out of their own half as Sunderland's crisp passing repeatedly cut a swathe through the opposition ranks.

Arca almost grabbed a third in the 21st minute, narrowly failing to reach Elliott's deflected strike.

The experienced Andrew Impey gradually found himself overwhelmed by the South American's direct running and close control.

With George McCartney overlapping well from his full-back berth, much of Sunderland's best work came from the left flank.

While it was easy to see why Forest have still to win a league game this season, the home side's willingness to attack in numbers was commendable.

The final attack of the first half summed up the difference between the sides.

The visitors had just one man forward when they needlessly conceded possession on the halfway line but, within the blink of an eye, four Sunderland players were converging on the Forest box.

Stewart eventually steered Whitehead's first-time cross wide, but the desire to break into goalscoring positions meant the Black Cats always had their opponents on the back foot.

They were given a double scare at the start of the second half, David Johnson putting a close-range header wide after stealing in front of Gary Breen and Mart Poom tipping over Paul Evans' long-range snapshot.

But that proved a temporary reversal of what remained predominantly one-way traffic.

Wright went close to doubling his tally when he prodded another Whitehead corner wide shortly before the hour mark before referee Lee Mason denied Sunderland the most blatant of penalties, despite substitute Chris Doig blocking Elliott's drive with his arm.

Robinson steered a 20-yard drive against the left-hand upright as the second half failed to match the excitement of the first, and Whitehead hit the opposite post with eight minutes remaining following more good work from Arca.

Substitute Oster's first touch resulted in McCartney forcing a smart save out of Gerrard.

While Republic of Ireland international Andy Reid gradually asserted himself onto the midfield battle, Sunderland were able to secure their second home win of the campaign with the minimum of fuss