- Nottingham Forest hosted Southampton in a relegation battle in the Premier League on Monday evening
- A win for both teams would have bolstered their hopes of staying in the Premier League
- Forest thrashed the visitors with Awoniyi scoring two in a 4-3 victory to send them out of the relegation zone
Nottingham Forest managed to take a step towards securing their safety in the Premier League after winning 4-3 against Southampton. The defeat places Southampton’s impending relegation to the Championship in jeopardy, which could be confirmed on the upcoming weekend.
The victory for Forest was a result of the outstanding performances of Taiwo Awoniyi, Morgan Gibbs-White, and Danilo, who scored two, one, and one goals respectively. The win allowed them to climb out of the bottom three and move up to 16th place. They are currently three points above the drop zone with three games left to play.
Southampton’s future in the Premier League looks bleak, as their 10-year stay in the top tier will end if they fail to beat Fulham on Saturday. Even if they win, other results could still send them down. Despite their efforts to stay in the game with goals from Carlos Alcaraz, Lyanco, and James Ward-Prowse, they were unable to secure a win.
Nottingham Forest forward Morgan Gibbs White celebrates after scoring against Southampton in a Premier League clash on Monday, May 8 2023. | PHOTO: The Sun |
The match between Forest and Southampton was a thrilling end-to-end encounter at the City Ground. The atmosphere was spine-tingling as Forest fans knew the game’s importance, and the teams did not disappoint. The game was a Premier League record for a three-game matchday, with 21 goals scored on Bank Holiday Monday.
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Southampton started the game better, but two quick goals from Awoniyi in the 18th and 21st minutes turned the tables in Forest’s favour. The first goal came from a quick free-kick that set up Brennan Johnson, who provided an excellent cross that Awoniyi converted from 10 yards out. Awoniyi’s second goal was even more impressive as he hit an instinctive volley on the turn after Danilo’s improvised pass in the area.
Southampton managed to score a goal in the 25th minute when Stuart Armstrong played a quick break to Alcaraz, who converted it from close range. However, Forest was able to restore their two-goal lead just before half-time when Johnson was fouled in the box, and Gibbs-White converted the penalty.
In the second half, Southampton came out firing and managed to reduce the gap in the 51st minute with Lyanco’s header from Ward-Prowse’s corner. The goal changed the game’s complexion, and Southampton was suddenly chasing an unlikely equalizer. Although they created chances, Forest scored again in the 73rd minute with a brilliant team goal converted by Danilo.
Southampton was given a lifeline in stoppage time when Sam Surridge fouled Romeo Lavia, and Ward-Prowse converted the penalty straight down the middle. However, Forest held on to secure their win and leave Southampton on the brink of relegation.
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