Southampton 0-1 Nottingham Forest (Premier League) 24.08.24
Forest returned to away action in the Premier League, in a battle down south at Southampton’s St Mary’s stadium, where the Reds came home with all three points after a productive match.
The First Half
Similar to last weekends draw to Bournemouth, Forest took hold of the first half; Southampton’s possession football seemed to faulter under pressure on numerous occasions.
Elanga’s runs down the wing, Williams’ desperate crossing attempts, and Aina’s advances made Forest a real threat – unfortunately though, Forest seemed slightly wasteful in the final third, failing to score early on from exciting counter-attacks. Perhaps the closest they came was a Chris Wood power-pass across the penalty area, but Premier League debutant, Milenković, couldn’t put it in from close-range, with the ball bouncing off of his left shin, and out.
Sangaré came close with a long-range effort, but McCarthy’s finger tips got to it, just parrying it over the crossbar; first goals wouldn’t have come much better than that, if it pulled off.
Sangaré’s midfield work alongside Anderson was a sight to behold also: playing out from the back became smoother, Anderson’s rough but often composed nature allowed him to break up play in dangerous areas, with both the midfielders distributing to start attacks – impressive.
Overall, a hugely positive first half, really quite unfortunate to get a goal.
The Second half
As much as Forest laid strong foundations in that first half for a good second, Southampton’s ball control was further emphasised; Flynn Downes & Will Smallbone aided their side getting forward, but Forest continued to fight back – unfortunately Sangaré fought too hard, and was ultimately carded. While performing well in the first half, his performance did dip, so a substitution to bring on Yates was needed.
Soon after the change, Forest won a corner – after being headed away, it fell to Williams who shot, but it didn’t go far; Aribo attempted to take the ball away from the danger zone, but Hudson-Odoi stole it off of him, placed it near the back post, and after some scrambling, Gibbs-White fired it past McCarthy. 1-0 Nottingham Forest. Gibbs-White, who was largely poor throughout, really redeemed himself – excellent finish.
The saints made changes of their own, adding youth & energy in the likes of Dibling, Fernandes & Cameron Archer – however, and despite their valiant efforts – in particular Dibling – it was not enough.
Forest looked assured, no issues. Milenković & Murillo’s super centre-back partnership saw out the game with relative ease. Their skillsets complement each other astonishingly, at least from early indicators. For me, Milenković was – without a shadow of a doubt – Man of the Match.
Overall, the first half was more productive than the second, but a good showing really. Four points from the first two, and Forest are looking like a Premier League side in both physicality, and quality.
Southampton’s failure to adapt to Premier League demands does worry me – that style of football, I just can’t see it working well in the league. Games aren’t won with possession, and the Saints need to find goals from somewhere. Fast.
*Article provided by Jamie Martin (Head Nottingham Forest Correspondent).
*Main image @NFFC Morgan Gibbs-White celebrating Forest’s winner.
