FOR vs SOU
Match Centre

FULL TIME: Nottingham Forest 4-3

A devastating end to a hard-fought contest at the City Ground but it's Steve Cooper's side that come out on top. Second-half goals from Lyanco and James Ward-Prowse weren't enough to save Saints on a difficult evening in the Midlands. 

GOALSCORER 8 James Ward-Prowse

Who else?

Captain James Ward-Prowse converts from the penalty spot but is it too little too late for Southampton? 

VAR Decision: Penalty awarded for Southampton [Roméo Lavia] was confirmed

The penalty stands for Sam Surridge's late challenge on Roméo Lavia. 

Penalty to Saints

Roméo Lavia is caught inside the area and Saints are awarded a penalty. 

Kamaldeen denied by Navas

A low drive from Kamaldeen Sulemana forces Keylor Navas to make a save before Adam Armstrong comes in for the rebound, but his effort ricochets off of teammate Paul Onuachu. 

Lyanco's header lacks power

First involvement from Sam Edozie as he sends the ball across the face of goal to Lyanco at the back post, but his header lacks the necessary power to find the net. 

Southampton substitution: Paul Onuachu replaces Ché Adams

Southampton substitution: Adam Armstrong replaces Carlos Alcaraz

Southampton substitution: Samuel Edozie replaces Stuart Armstrong

The first of three attacking substitutions. 

Ward-Prowse meets the gloves of Navas

James Ward-Prowse fires the ball in from the free-kick but heads straight into the hands of Keylor Navas. 

Ward-Prowse tests Navas

James Ward-Prowse has certainly found his flair behind the dead ball this evening. This time his delivery heads straight for Keylor Navas, with the Forest keeper clearing. 

Saints searching for an equaliser 

Kamaldeen Sulemana shows his prowess shortly after coming onto the pitch, he pushes into the area before earning Saints a corner. It's a fantastic delivery from James Ward-Prowse as Lyanco once again wins the ball in the air, Ché Adams nearly finds the back of the net but it's pushed away by Keylor Navas. 

Southampton substitution: Kamaldeen Sulemana replaces Theo Walcott

A second substitution of the evening. 

Maitland-Niles fires over

Positive signs from Saints at the start of the second half but Ainsley Maitland-Niles is wasteful as he fires the ball high and wide of the Forest goal. 

Saints dangerous from the set piece

Another set-piece for Saints and another tantalising delivery from James Ward-Prowse. Jan Bednarek just misses the header before the ball falls for none other than Lyanco at the far post, he tries to rescue it but Keylor Navas does enough to clear the threat. 

GOALSCORER 4 Lyanco Vojnovic

Lyanco heads home

Game on? James Ward-Prowse with another sublime deivery and it's Lyanco who gets a head to it. No mistake from the Brazilian who finds the net from close range. 

Adams heads wide

James Ward-Prowse whips the ball in from the set piece, it falls for Ché Adams but the striker heads it wide. 

Back underway

Back to it at the City Ground. 

HALF TIME: Nottingham Forest 3-1 Southampton

Two goals from Taiwo Awoniyi in just three and a half minutes saw the hosts with a two goal advantage after 21 minutes at the City Ground, before Charly Alcaraz's chip in from eight yards handed Saints a lifeline moments later. It's Morgan Gibbs-White's conversion from the penalty spot that leaves Saints two goals adrift at the break, though. A huge second half needed. 

Three additional minutes ...

Can Saints pull one back before the break?

Walcott's effort skims past the post

So close for Saints. Kyle Walker-Peters cuts the ball back to Theo Walcott, but his effort skims past the far post. 

Southampton substitution: Lyanco replaces Armel Bella-Kotchap

Saints are forced into an early change as Armel Bella-Kotchap withdraws through injury. 

HUGE from Jan Bednarek

Body. On. The. Line. The Polish defender makes a crucial interception to deny Forest another goal. Saints are once again caught on the counter with Brennan Johnson dancing past Armel Bella-Kotchap. Jan Bednarek leaves his man in Taiwo Awoniyi to charge towards the Welsh international and the risk pays off with the ball flying behind for a Forest corner. 

GOALSCORER 26 Carlos Alcaraz

Charly pulls one back 🤞

A lifeline for Saints who find themselves with just a one goal deficit. Stuart Armstrong times his run perfectly to receive Ché Adams ball before laying off Charly Alcaraz in the centre of goal. The Argentinian remained composed as he tapped home from eight-yards-out to provide Saints with a crucial goal at the City Ground. 

Saints in search of a lifeline

It's do or die now for Rubén Sellés's Southampton. Kyle Walker-Peters cuts the ball across goal to Stuart Armstrong who forces Keylor Navas to concede the corner. 

Positive signs from Saints

A lovely charge down the left flank from Stuart Armstrong before Brennan Johnson knocks the ball behind for a corner. James Ward-Prowse's delivery meets the head of Theo Walcott who flicks the ball down into the area but it fails to  meet a Saints player as the ball knocks behind for a goal kick. 

Purposeful start from Saints

A strong showing so far from the men in blue, who are hitting the attack at every opportunity possible in the opening stages. Theo Walcott cuts the ball into Ché Adams inside the area, the Scotsman releases a shot but Felipe uses his body well to deflect for the hosts. 

Adams fires over

Saints look to monopolise on a shaky start from the hosts but Adams' effort goes over. 

Underway at the City Ground 😇

Let's go, Saints!

Warm ups ✅

Milestone 🆙

Congratulations to Kyle Walker-Peters, who is tonight making his 100th Premier League appearance for the club 👏

Touch down in the Midlands 📌

Saints line-up confirmed 😇

Starting XI: McCarthy, Maitland-Niles, Bella-Kotchap, Bednarek, Walker-Peters, Lavia, Ward-Prowse [c], S. Armstrong, Alcaraz, Walcott, Adams. 

Subs: Bazunu, Lyanco, Ćaleta-Car, Elyounoussi, Edozie, Kamaldeen, Mara, A. Armstrong, Onuachu. 

Stoppage time stunner 🤩

Taking it back to a dramatic stoppage time winner in 1983. 

MATCH PACK: Nottingham Forest vs Saints

Get prepared for tonight's clash with our Match Pack.

For us right now it’s about trying to change the dynamic of results and to try and get that victory that we need and I think we deserve from some of the other games. And trying to show that we are still competitive and can still win football matches and it will be a big plus for us if we get it on Monday night."

rubén sellés

on southampton's trip to the city ground

📍 The City Ground

With just four games left to play in the Premier League, Southampton travel to Nottingham Forest for a decisive clash at the bottom end of the table. Falling to defeat to Newcastle last time out, Rubén Sellés's men will be desperate to claim three points on the road as they look for a lifeline in their bid for Premier League survival. Come on you Saints!