- Nottingham Forest edged Southampton 3-2 in a thrilling Premier League clash at the City Ground
- Elliot Anderson and Callum Hudson-Odoi’s goals put Forest in control before Aina set up Chris Wood’s header to make it 3-0 by halftime
- Southampton rallied in the second half with Lesley Ugochukwu and Onuachu scoring, but Forest’s defence held firm
Premier League side Nottingham Forest claimed a hard-fought 3-2 victory over Southampton in a Premier League encounter at the City Ground, with Nigerian stars Paul Onuachu and Ola Aina delivering impactful performances.
Despite Southampton’s spirited second-half fightback, the Saints remain rooted to the bottom of the league table.
The game sprang to life early, with Elliot Anderson unleashing a powerful drive into the bottom corner in the 11th minute to put Forest ahead. The home crowd erupted again when Callum Hudson-Odoi doubled the lead before the half-hour mark, rifling a sensational long-range strike past a helpless goalkeeper.
Ola Aina further made a difference in the match just before halftime. The Nigerian international delivered an inch-perfect cross for Chris Wood, whose header extended Forest’s lead to 3-0, leaving Southampton reeling as they trudged into the dressing room at the break.
The second half saw a renewed Southampton, determined to salvage something from the game. Lesley Ugochukwu pulled one back in the 60th minute with a deflected shot that tested the nerves of Forest’s defenders. A lengthy VAR check followed, adding to the drama as players and fans anxiously awaited confirmation.
In stoppage time, Southampton found a glimmer of hope. Mateus Fernandes sent in a perfectly executed corner, and Paul Onuachu rose comfortably to nod the ball into the top corner, making it 3-2. The Nigerian striker’s late heroics reignited the Saints’ hopes, but the final whistle soon dashed any dreams of a comeback.
The match was not without its share of controversies. A Forest goal was disallowed following a contentious VAR review, and Ugochukwu narrowly avoided a red card for a reckless late challenge.
Forest head coach Nuno Espirito Santo acknowledged the nervy finish, using it as a cautionary tale for his players,
“It was a warning for everyone to realise how tough this league is, we didn’t manage the second half well. I’m delighted we won, but we must learn from this,” Nuno remarked.
Southampton’s defeat extends their struggles, while Forest climbs the table. The contributions of Nigerian stars Onuachu and Aina stood out, proving their importance in an intense Premier League clash.
“I’m just happy I got one today,” Nigeria’s Aina elated after helping Forest beat Brentford
Previously, TheRadar reported that Nigerian full-back Ola Aina was elated as he shone once again after his early strike set Nottingham Forest on course for a stunning 2-0 victory over Brentford at the Brentford Community Stadium on Saturday, December 21.
The win marked Forest’s third consecutive victory, pushing them momentarily to fourth place in the Premier League table, just two points below Arsenal.
