Nottingham Forest edged to a crucial 1-0 win at Southampton on Saturday, as captain Morgan Gibbs-White scored with 20 minutes to go.
It’s early in the season but given that these two teams are expected to be scrapping against relegation, this was a big three points for Forest.
Russell Martin’s Southampton huffed and puffed but never really created clear-cut chances and Nuno Espirito Santo’s Forest missed some big opportunities and looked very dangerous on the counter throughout.
Forest have picked up four points from their first two games, while Southampton remain on zero points from their first two games back in the Premier League.
Blunt Saints have to be braver
It’s early days for Southampton back in the Premier League but they have dominated possession in both of their games but lost both 1-0. Against Forest they looked blunt and congested in attack. There is a blueprint emerging about how to play against Southampton, as Forest sat back, soaked up pressure and were frightening on the counter. Outside of the top six, that is how most teams will play against Southampton this season and they will have a lot of joy. Martin’s side need to sign a target forward and a new goalkeeper in the final days of the window otherwise it risks being a very long, and very low-scoring season, for the Saints. Last season they scored over 90 goals in the Championship but the huge step up in class is clear to see and Saints’ forwards are already lacking confidence as they hoisted hopeful balls into the box and never believed they could score. That is a huge problem and unless it changes quickly, the Saints will go marching straight back down to the Championship.
Southampton vs Nottingham Forest player ratings
Via our friends at FotMob.com you can see Gibbs-White and Forest’s other attacking midfielders had a great outing. They picked Saints off on the counter and always looked a threat. Perfect away day for Forest who were also so solid defensively.
What’s next?
Southampton head to Brentford next Saturday, August 31. Forest host Wolves on the same day.
How to watch Southampton vs Nottingham Forest, stream link and start time
Kick off time: 10am ET, Saturday (August 24)
Venue: St Mary’s
TV channel: Peacock
Streaming: Watch live on Peacock
Southampton vs Nottingham Forest live updates! - By Joe Prince-Wright
Southampton vs Nottingham Forest final score: 0-1
Gibbs-White 70'
Full time: Southampton 0-1 Nottingham Forest
Saints huffed and puffed but never really created a clear chance and Nottingham Forest always looked more dangerous on the counter. Gibbs-White’s finish was the difference and that is a big three points for Forest as these two will be in the relegation scrap.
Gibbs-White breaks through - Southampton 0-1 Nottingham Forest (70th minute)
Morgan Gibbs-White has broken the deadlock as his header is blocked but comes straight back to him and he finishes. Forest looked the more dangerous and they’ve finally broken through.
Hudson-Odoi cuts inside but his effort is brilliantly blocked
He’s looked dangerous on the counter today and he cuts inside and unleashes a shot which is blocked by several Southampton players at the same time. Bednarek was right there. Great defending from Saints. Forest have found a second wind.
Saints really pushing hard for the opener
Sangare has been booked and has just given away a foul. He’s walking a tight rope. Saints have had a lot of the ball and are starting to build momentum.
Half time: Southampton 0-0 Nottingham Forest
Forest have had the better chances and should be ahead but Southampton are hanging in there. They will be kicking towards their new “Northam Wall” in the second half and the Saints will need their supporters to dig in and improve after the break. Forest have looked very dangerous on the counter.
A sitter! Milenkovic should score
How are Forest not ahead!? A ball is played to the back post and Milenkovic has the whole goal gaping but somehow shanks it wide. The giant defender should score on his Forest debut.
Even start
Forest look dangerous on the break but can’t make the most of a counter as McCarthy keeps out a header. A dipping shot then flies over and McCarthy is almost caught out with a long ball back to him which goes out for a corner.
Southampton lineup
McCarthy; Harwood-Belis, Bednarek, Stephens; Sugawara, Smallbone, Downes, Aribo, Walker-Peters; Brereton Diaz, Armstrong
Nottingham Forest lineup
Sels; Williams, Milenkovic, Murillo, Aina; Sangare, Anderson; Elanga, Gibbs-White, Hudson-Odoi; Wood
Southampton team news, focus
There are a couple of minor injury concerns with Adam Lallana, Ross Stewart and Kamaldeen Sulemana expected back soon. New signings Lesley Ugochukwu and Mateus Fernandes are set for their debuts, while Southampton will look to Ben Brereton Diaz (a graduate of Nottingham Forest’s academy) and Adam Armstrong to finish some of the multiple chances they create each game. Saints will have lots of the ball, as they always do, but they have to be sharper in the final third as St Mary’s will be filled to the rafters and the home fans expectant of a first Premier League win in well over a year.
Nottingham Forest team news, focus
Chris Wood bagged on the opening day, while Morgan Gibbs-White, Anthony Elanga and Callum Hudson-Odoi are the trio who drive Forest on and they’ll get plenty of chances on the counter attack in this game. New signing and center back Nikola Milenkovic will be available to make his debut after serving a suspension, and fellow new boy Alex Moreno is a great option at left back. Danilo suffered a broken ankle last week against Bournemouth and Ryan Yates will come in for him in midfield.
Southampton vs Nottingham Forest prediction
This feels like it will be quite an open game as both teams go all out for the win. Saints will dominate the play but Forest are very good on the counter. Southampton 2-2 Nottingham Forest.