Nottingham Forest v Southampton Live Commentary & Result, 08/05/2023, Premier League

Pos	Team	P	W	D	L	F	A	+/-	PTS	Form
1	MCI Manchester City	38	28	5	5	94	33	+61	89	L D W W W
2	ARS Arsenal	38	26	6	6	88	43	+45	84	W L L W W
3	MUN Manchester United	38	23	6	9	58	43	+15	75	W W W W L
4	NEW Newcastle United	38	19	14	5	68	33	+35	71	D D W D L
5	LIV Liverpool	38	19	10	9	75	47	+28	67	D D W W W
6	BHA Brighton & Hove Albion	38	18	8	12	72	53	+19	62	L D W L W
7	AVL Aston Villa	38	18	7	13	51	46	+5	61	W D W L L
8	TOT Tottenham Hotspur	38	18	6	14	70	63	+7	60	W L L W L
9	BRE Brentford	38	15	14	9	58	46	+12	59	W W W L W
10	FUL Fulham	38	15	7	16	55	53	+2	52	L D W W L
11	CRY Crystal Palace	38	11	12	15	40	49	-9	45	D D W L W
12	CHE Chelsea	38	11	11	16	38	47	-9	44	D L L D W
13	WOL Wolverhampton Wanderers	38	11	8	19	31	58	-27	41	L D L W L
14	WHU West Ham United	38	11	7	20	42	55	-13	40	L W L W L
15	BOU AFC Bournemouth	38	11	6	21	37	71	-34	39	L L L L W
16	NFO Nottingham Forest	38	9	11	18	38	68	-30	38	D W D W L
17	EVE Everton	38	8	12	18	34	57	-23	36	W D L W D
18	LEI Leicester City	38	9	7	22	51	68	-17	34	W D L L D
19	LEE Leeds United	38	7	10	21	48	78	-30	31	L L D L L
20	SOU Southampton	38	6	7	25	36	73	-37	25	D L L L L

That's all from the City Ground today, so thank you for joining us and goodbye!

Still far from assured of survival despite another rousing home win, Forest must take on Chelsea at Stamford Bridge next time out, in pursuit of just their second away success of the season. Meanwhile, Saints' demise could be confirmed when they host Fulham on Saturday.

The Premier League's remarkable relegation battle continues to produce goals and twists galore, as Nottingham Forest finally edge a seven-goal thriller against a surely doomed Southampton side. Awoniyi's first-half double put the hosts well on their way, but despite looking disjointed for most of the match, Saints simply kept coming back - though ultimately to no avail. They slip nine points behind Forest in the table and are some eight from safety with just three games remaining.

90' + 11' FULL-TIME: NOTTINGHAM FOREST 4-3 SOUTHAMPTON

90' + 10' Southampton are now just pumping the ball forward desperately, as they seek a last-gasp equaliser - when will the referee blow the final whistle?

90' + 8' It could hardly be more tense at a rain-drenched City Ground now, as the Nottingham Forest fans nervously count down the remaining seconds. Two VAR checks have added more time to the original allocation.

J. Ward-Prowse

Penalty Goal

90' + 6' SAINTS BACK WITHIN ONE! After a VAR review, the penalty award is confirmed, and Ward-Prowse steps up and simply blasts it straight down the middle. Navas dives right and is well beaten! Incredibly, it's now 4-3 to Forest, and this game's not over yet!

90' + 4' PENALTY FOR SOUTHAMPTON! They're not done yet! Playing at least seven minutes of stoppage time, Lavia is clipped by the slightest of contacts with Surridge in the Forest area. He goes down and the referee points straight to the spot!

90' + 2' NO GOAL! The VAR has examined the evidence and rules out Felipe's goal - it stays 4-2 to Forest!

90' FOREST HAVE A FIFTH? Celebrating with a spectacular cartwheel, Felipe connects with Gibbs-White's lofted ball from deep, then lifts it past McCarthy from close range. However, the VAR intervenes and will scrutinise the move for a possible offside offence!

88' Meeting a free-kick pumped forward from the opposite flank, Worrall wins a header at the back post but can't fully control it and Southampton clear their lines. Time is running out now, and the Forest fans are singing ever more loudly in the rain.

86' SHARP STOP! Alert to the last, Navas dives down to his right to repel a fierce low drive by Sulemana, which looked set to sneak inside the near post - good goalkeeping!

85' Forest are now enjoying an increasingly rare spell in Southampton territory, which will further frustrate the away side, who must score soon if they are to stage an improbable late comeback.

83' Ward-Prowse sends his latest corner over from the right, but there is a whole forest of red shirts inside the hosts' box and they scramble the ball clear once again.

W. Boly

B. Johnson

81' Finally, Johnson is replaced by Boly, who will provide more defensive cover in the final stages.

H. Toffolo

Renan Lodi

81' The apparently injured Lodi limps off; Toffolo replaces him.

S. Surridge

T. Awoniyi

81' Cooper now makes a triple change. First, Awoniyi makes way for Surridge.

80' Lodi is down on the rain-sodden turf and seems unable to continue. Conveniently, this breaks up Southampton's momentum and eats into the time remaining.

Renan Lodi

Yellow Card

78' Deciding Adam Armstrong will not pass, Lodi's crude challenge stops a Southampton counter-attack and earns him a yellow card.

77' Forest's star man today, Gibbs-White is denied a merited goal when he sees his drive from the edge of the box deflected over the crossbar. He then takes as long as possible to amble over and send in a dangerous corner, which Southampton ultimately clear.

S. Edozie

S. Armstrong

76' Edozie comes on for Stuart Armstrong.

A. Armstrong

C. Alcaraz

76' Adam Armstrong will arrive in place of Alcaraz.

P. Onuachu

C. Adams

76' It must be too late now, but Selles makes a triple substitution. First, the ineffective Adams is replaced up front by Onuachu.

M. Gibbs-White

Assist

73' With a deft flick from Johnson's low cross, Gibbs-White sets up Danilo to score Forest's fourth goal.

Danilo

Goal

73' 4-2 TO FOREST! Surely that's the points secured? Johnson's surge into the box and low cutback is flicked on cleverly by Gibbs-White in the centre, and Danilo sprints onto the ball before lashing it home past McCarthy! A superb move restores Forest's two-goal advantage!

72' Saints continue to apply incessant pressure, as Navas punches away another inswinging Ward-Prowse corner. That's Southampton's seventh corner-kick; Forest have had just one.

C. Kouyaté

R. Yates

70' Only recently returned from injury, Yates has to make way now. Kouyate comes on in midfield.

68' A driving run by substitute Sulemana ends with the winger firing a deflected shot into the side-netting. From Ward-Prowse's subsequent corner, Navas twice has to punch the ball clear under pressure - not convincingly, but effectively enough.

66' It's all Southampton now, and Forest have inevitably dropped back a few yards as they seek to preserve their precarious lead. They're back in numbers, though, and Saints are struggling to break through.

J. Worrall

S. Aurier

64' Aurier has picked up an injury, and after being assessed by Forest's medical team he has to be withdrawn. Worrall will replace him, also taking the armband from Yates.

62' SAVE! After a quick exchange of passes with Johnson on the edge of the box, Gibbs-White forces McCarthy into a diving save inside his six-yard box, though his stinging cross-shot was probably going wide of the target in any case.

K. Sulemana

T. Walcott

61' Providing fresh legs up front for Southampton, Sulemana comes on to replace Walcott.

59' Only Bournemouth (21) have shipped more goals from set-pieces - penalties excluded - in the Premier League this season than Nottingham Forest (16). Furthermore, Forest have conceded 14 times in the first 15 minutes of the second half - more than any other team.

57' Much to his visible displeasure, Felipe is penalised for a push in Southampton's area, following a trademark long-throw by Niakhate from the left.

55' Both Lyanco and Yates are off the field receiving treatment, so neither side has 11 players on the pitch as the action goes on. The second half has continued in the same frantic vein as the first!

53' SAVE! Navas does manage to keep Lyanco at bay this time, as the substitute tries to force the ball home from a tight angle near the right byline following another Ward-Prowse cross! Good stop!

J. Ward-Prowse

Assist

51' Adding another assist to his collection, Ward-Prowse finds Lyanco in the centre of the area with a curling corner-kick.

Lyanco

Goal

51' SAINTS STRIKE BACK! The visitors reduce their deficit again! A typical inswinger from Ward-Prowse's left-sided corner is met by a powerful close-range header by Lyanco. Navas can't react in time to keep it out, and it's now just 3-2 to Nottingham Forest!

50' Southampton are enjoying most of the ball during the early stages of this second half. Forest can't keep hold of possession and are effectively inviting their opponents on.

48' From the right, Ward-Prowse places a precise outswinging free-kick on the head of Adams at the back post, but under pressure, the Saints striker can't steer his attempt on target.

46' Forest kick off, and we are back under way at the City Ground!

Southampton have won only once from 17 attempts when trying to overturn a half-time deficit in the Premier league this season - but Forest have been beaten three times after leading at the interval. Perhaps the points' destiny is not quite decided, then, but there's still a mountain to climb for an ailing Saints side.

After a slow start to such a crucial game in their fight for Premier League salvation, Nottingham Forest struck ruthlessly on the counter-attack to establish a two-goal lead through Awoniyi's brace, before letting it slip and then going 3-1 up just before the break. Surely waving goodbye to their slim survival chances, Southampton were simply caught out too many times and looked stunned by both the ferocity of the City Ground environment and their opponents' attacking speed. It's all or nothing for the Saints during the second half - either produce a miraculous comeback or contemplate their likely future in the Championship.

45' + 4' HALF-TIME: NOTTINGHAM FOREST 3-1 SOUTHAMPTON

45' + 1' Southampton are trying to build some momentum late in this first half, having been stunned by conceding that third goal from the spot. There will be at least two more minutes of stoppage time, so can they force at least one more opening?

M. Gibbs-White

Penalty Goal

44' 3-1 TO FOREST! The hosts regain their two-goal lead! Stepping up to the penalty kick, Gibbs-White bravely fires the ball straight down the centre, with McCarthy diving the other way. He hits the back of the net, and Forest are heading towards half-time with a significant advantage to protect after the break.

42' PENALTY FOR FOREST! Seizing his opportunity to earn a spot-kick, Johnson places his leg in front of Maitland-Niles' attempt to clear the ball inside the Southampton box and is brought tumbling to the turf. The referee barely hesitates - he points to the spot!

41' CLOSE! The ball slips just wide of the left-hand post! Walker-Peters drives to the right byline then chops the ball back for Walcott, who contrives a low effort from a tight angle.

40' Yates is informally spoken to by the referee following his latest foul in midfield. The Forest skipper is certainly fired up, but he can't be far from being booked now.

Lyanco

A. Bella-Kotchap

38' After sustaining an injury chasing down the pacy Johnson, Bella-Kotchap cannot continue. He has to be helped off by two medics, and Lyanco comes on to replace him at centre-back.

36' Bednarek makes a great last-ditch block at the near post following a surge by Johnson past Bella-Kotchap, who is left trailing in the Forest forward's wake. The German defender stays down hurt and will require some treatment.

35' The tackles are flying in on the slippy City Ground pitch, and the running battle between Yates and Alcaraz could be one to watch during the remainder of this frantic game.

33' Yates gets forward again, but his shot from the right side of the box is heavily deflected and loops straight up into the waiting gloves of McCarthy.

32' After a brief spell on the turf following a coming-together with Yates in midfield, Alcaraz returns to his feet, still clutching his chest. He wants the referee to act, but there's no interest from the officials - play on!

30' Unconvinvlingly, Navas flaps the ball away from under his crossbar, but after enduring a prolonged spell of pressure subsequently, Forest can eventually take a breather when a mishit pass by Maitland-Niles sails out for a goal-kick.

28' McCarthy dives low to make a sharp stop with his legs, after Yates drives a low shot straight at him from 15 yards. The flag then goes up for a marginal offside in the build-up anyway, but it was a presentable chance missed by the Forest captain.

S. Armstrong

Assist

25' Coolly, Armstrong plays a precise ball across the six-yard box to pick out goalscorer Alcaraz.

C. Alcaraz

Goal

25' SOUTHAMPTON BACK IN IT! Forest carelessly lose possession in midfield, allowing Saints to counter. At the end of the move, Armstrong cuts back a neat pass for Alcaraz, who takes a touch inside the six-yard box before finding the bottom corner! That reduces the deficit to 2-1!

23' DOUBLE CHANCE! Saints bite back, as Armstrong is denied by a block at the near post, then Walcott finds the top of the net with another flicked header from the subsequent corner!

Danilo

Assist

21' Danilo does well to keep the ball under control with a prodded pass from the edge of the box when off-balance; setting up Awoniyi.

T. Awoniyi

Goal

21' AWONIYI AGAIN! Forest lead 2-0! After the ball bobbles around the Southampton area, Danilo jabs it hopefully towards Awoniyi in the centre, and the striker reacts quickly to lash in a powerful volley on the turn; beating McCarthy from close range!

20' A slip by Felipe opens up space in the Forest area, but Alcaraz steps onto the ball and bends his shot over the top of the target. He should at least have tested Navas from there!

B. Johnson

Assist

18' Completing a quick counter, Johnson plays his centre-forward in with a low pass from the right side of the area.

T. Awoniyi

Goal

18' FOREST LEAD! At the end of a quick counter from a free-kick deep inside the Forest half, Johnson surges down the right and drives towards the area before releasing a low pass for Awoniyi in the centre. From near the penalty spot, the Nigerian striker thumps the ball past McCarthy, who can only get half a glove to it before it nestles in the back of his net! It's 1-0 to the hosts!

16' The referee rapidly blows his whistle for a clear foul on Yates by Alcaraz in midfield, but the Forest fans - and club staff by the touchline - are aggrieved. Awoniyi was streaking clear on the break, but couldn't continue the move.

14' Nottingham Forest are winless in their last 12 Premier League games played on Mondays, since a 3-1 win at Leeds United in April 1996; Southampton have lost their last three Monday fixtures in the top-flight. Can either side change those fortunes today?

12' Heads are in hands as no-one can react in time to reach Walcott's headed flick-on from a corner by Ward-Prowse. There was a distinct lack of Saints players near the back post.

10' A driving run from out to in by Gibbs-White opens up the Southampton defence, but Forest's counter-attack ends without a first shot on target, as Johnson drags a low strike across goal and past the left-hand post by some margin.

9' McCarthy reacts quickly to beat Awoniyi to the ball with a dive low down at his near post, following a brilliant whipped cross by Lodi from the left.

7' MISS! Having turned the ball over midway through Forest's half, Saints flood forward again, and after Walcott's run through the centre, Adams shapes to shoot from inside the box but sees his effort deflected wide by a last-ditch block by Felipe! That's a great chance spurned!

5' Amid a bright start from Southampton, Walcott wriggles clear of three challenges on the right before playing a quick one-two, but his attempts to burst inside the area are blocked and the move breaks down.

3' After a neat spell of possession for the visitors, Adams receives the ball on the left edge of the Forest area, rolls his man and then curls a wayward shot high over the crossbar.

1' Southampton kick off, and we are under way in Nottingham!

The players are out on the City Ground pitch, and kick-off in this battle of the bottom two is now just moments away!

Southampton, meanwhile, make a trio of changes today. Adams returns from injury, with Walcott and Maitland-Niles also being brought in by Ruben Selles; Lyanco, Djenepo and Sulemana drop out. Once again, McCarthy starts in goal ahead of regular number one Bazunu.

Danilo and top scorer Johnson sustained injuries in Forest's loss to Brentford, but both are fit enough start today. Cooper therefore makes only one change to his lineup, as Yates takes the captain's armband from Worrall, who is demoted to the bench.

SUBS: Gavin Bazunu, Sekou Mara, Lyanco, Samuel Edozie, Kamaldeen Sulemana, Mohamed Elyounoussi, Paul Onuachu, Adam Armstrong, Duje Caleta-Car.

SOUTHAMPTON (4-2-3-1): Alex McCarthy; Ainsley Maitland-Niles, Armel Bella Kotchap, Jan Bednarek, Kyle Walker-Peters; Romeo Lavia, James Ward-Prowse; Theo Walcott, Carlos Alcaraz, Stuart Armstrong; Che Adams.

SUBS: Wayne Hennessey, Joe Worrall, Sam Surridge, Andre Ayew, Cheikhou Kouyate, Remo Freuler, Willy Boly, Jesse Lingard, Harry Toffolo.

NOTTINGHAM FOREST (3-4-2-1): Keylor Navas; Serge Aurier, Felipe, Moussa Niakhate; Ryan Yates, Danilo, Orel Mangala, Renan Lodi; Morgan Gibbs-White, Brennan Johnson; Taiwo Awoniyi.

With their Premier League survival chances hanging by the thinnest of threads, Southampton are six points adrift of safety heading into their final four fixtures of the season. Saints were seen off 3-1 by Newcastle United last time out, and today their winless streak would be extended to 10 matches if they fail to win their first top-flight game at the City Ground since 1998. Indeed, defeat would leave the south coast club nine points adrift of their hosts and staring relegation straight in the face.

Following their late implosion against Brentford last week and subsequent results elsewhere, Nottingham Forest sit above only today's opponents in the Premier League table, but below both Leicester City and Leeds United only on goal difference. Steve Cooper's men have gone without a clean sheet in 13 games, but they now return to the City Ground, where only Newcastle United and Manchester United have beaten them since October. By contrast, they have won just once away since returning to the top flight - Forest ran out 1-0 winners over Southampton at St Mary's in January.

Hello and welcome to live coverage of today's Premier League clash between Nottingham Forest and Southampton at the City Ground!

Nottingham Forest v Southampton Live Commentary, 08/05/2023

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