Nottingham Forest moved out of the relegation zone and left Southampton on the brink with a thrilling 4-3 win at the City Ground.
Under pressure following Everton’s shock win, Taiwo Awoniyi scored twice in the first half and though Carlos Alcaraz pulled one back, Morgan Gibbs-White looked to have ended any hope of a comeback when his penalty restored Forest’s two-goal lead.
Instead, the drama continued into the second half when substitute Lyanco’s header pulled one back. But with Southampton pushing for an equaliser, Danilo converted after a delightful flick from Gibbs-White. James Ward-Prowse’s penalty was too little, too late.
The result moves Steve Cooper’s side above Everton, Leicester and Leeds into 16th position on 33 points, three points above the drop zone. Ruben Selles’ Southampton are now eight points from safety with only three games to play, their fate all but sealed.
How Forest won crucial game
It was a nervous start by Nottingham Forest who needed a fine block from Felipe to keep out Che Adams early on but the game changed with the opening goal, a lightning quick counter-attack that took advantage of the blistering pace of Brennan Johnson.
The forward raced onto Danilo’s pass and squared the ball for Awoniyi to finish first time past goalkeeper Alex McCarthy. It was the Nigeria international’s first goal for the club since January but he had a second within minutes as Southampton looked ready to implode.
Danilo was involved again, forcing the ball through as it popped up nicely for Awoniyi to ram home on the turn. The City Ground was rocking at that point with any tension inside the stadium gone, but a reminder of their fragility moments later put it back in the balance.
A loose pass from the otherwise magnificent Gibbs-White was seized upon and Stuart Armstrong centred the ball for Alcaraz to slot into the net. With Saints desperate for victory, they were ready to throw everything at Forest. A draw was of little use.
Unfortunately for them, they could not keep the back door closed. Johnson continued to enjoy the space in behind and won a penalty when Ainsley Maitland-Niles caught him while trying to clear. Gibbs-White put the penalty down the middle and the crowd rejoiced.
James Ward-Prowse reacts during Southampton’s loss at Nottingham Forest
If Forest fans were hoping for a nerveless second half, those dreams were dashed when Brazilian defender Lyanco headed in James Ward-Prowse’s corner. But Gibbs-White’s clever touch at the other end laid the ball on for Danilo and appeared to settle the match.
Not this match. Felipe had a goal disallowed for offside. Sam Surridge clipped Romeo Lavia inside the box and Ward-Prowse reduced the deficit to one goal once more in stoppage time. Forest were hanging on beyond the 100-minute mark but they did it.
The game summed up Southampton’s season – plenty of promise, encouraging signs – but this Premier League can be cruel and their defensive vulnerability was exposed. Forest had more steel and more subtlety in key moments. It could yet keep them up.
Cooper on ‘rollercoaster’ game
“The most important thing was the win,” Cooper told Sky Sports.
“A rollercoaster of a game. Not really the time to pick the bones out of it. Just felt that we showed some really good attacking moments, particularly the goals that we scored, our fast breaks, we showed some quality.
“We recovered from mistakes as well. It was a night when I felt there would be mistakes in the game and we definitely at times did not cover ourselves in glory with the goals we conceded. But we very much stuck together and that is what got us over the line.”
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Steve Cooper says his side’s win against Southampton was the night they needed
Forest are now three points clear of the relegation zone. They may already have enough points. Alternatively, even another win might not be enough. Cooper prefers to concentrate on his own team with three games remaining.
“It could be one, two or three more points. But let us just focus on ourselves. We can only influence what we can influence and that is our performances and results. Everything else will take care of itself. I think in the end you will end up where you deserve.”
Selles on ‘painful’ defeat
“We came here with a clear and solid plan how to do it and I thought we dominated the first part of the game,” Selles told Sky Sports.
“In three minutes, we gave two goals away. It is hard to come back into the game but the boys gave everything they have with the goal and then the second one. We were close to coming back. It was just not enough today.
“We were ready to come, ready to perform, but for one reason or another, some details went against us, details from ourselves. That is painful because by just correcting those things we could be in a much better position.”
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Ruben Selles says his team gave everything in the defeat to Nottingham Forest
Selles has now gone 10 without a win in charge of this young Southampton team after winning two of his first three matches. He took over in trying circumstances but was unwilling to make excuses with relegation now appearing imminent.
“The challenge was there for us. I think we had enough games to just change the situation and get more points to get out of the relegation so let us not make excuses. I thought that I would be able to win more matches for Southampton.”
What’s next?
Nottingham Forest’s survival mission heads to Chelsea on Saturday May 13. Kick-off 3pm. They then host Arsenal before ending at Crystal Palace.
Southampton face Fulham at home on Saturday at 3pm before finishing their season with a trip to Brighton and then a visit from Liverpool.
Nottingham Forest’s remaining fixtures
May 13: Chelsea (A) – Premier League, kick-off 3pm
May 20: Arsenal (H) – Premier League, kick-off 5.30pm
May 28: Crystal Palace (A) – Premier League, kick-off 4.30pm
Southampton’s remaining fixtures
May 13: Fulham (H) – Premier League, kick-off 3pm
May 21: Brighton (A) – Premier League, kick-off 2pm
May 28: Liverpool (H) – Premier League, kick-off 4.30pm
Forest 4-3 Saints – Opta stats
- Nottingham Forest scored four goals for the first time in their last 137 Premier League games, since a 4-1 win against Wimbledon in November 1995.
- Morgan Gibbs-White is the first player to register five or more goals and five or more assists for Nottingham Forest in a single Premier League season since Ian Woan and Steve Stone in 1995-96.
- Danilo is the first Nottingham Forest player to score in three consecutive Premier League appearances since Dougie Freedman in March 1999.
- Southampton are without a win in 10 Premier League games after winning two of their first three under Ruben Selles.
- Southampton have conceded four or more goals in five league games this season, more often than in any other Premier League campaign.
- James Ward-Prowse has scored 30 combined penalty and direct free-kick goals in the Premier League, second only to Harry Kane (33) since his debut campaign in the competition of 2012-13.