Elliot Anderson admitted Nottingham Forest had made it hard for themselves after squeezing out a 3-2 win over Southampton this afternoon.
Nuno Espirito Santo’s side moved level on points with second-placed Arsenal despite almost squandering a 3-0 lead to the Premier League’s bottom side at the City Ground.
Goals inside the opening 41 minutes from Anderson, Callum Hudson-Odoi and Chris Wood seamed to have put the game beyond the Saints but they hit back in the second half through Jan Bednarek and Paul Onuachu. The visitors then almost snatched an unlikely equaliser with Ola Aina having to clear off the line to deny Bednarek his second.
Three points at home. pic.twitter.com/BDXkDKNbMF
— Nottingham Forest (@NFFC) January 19, 2025
Anderson told BBC Match of the Day: “We started really bright but made it hard for ourselves in the second half. Ultimately we got the three points and I’m really happy.”
It has been a good work for Forest who successfully built on the midweek draw with leaders Liverpool.
“We set out to attack both games with the same mentality,” said Anderson. “Southampton were really good midweek against Manchester United so we knew it was going to be hard for us.
“The manager said it’s always hard when you’ve got something to lose. We needed those three points because there are teams creeping up behind us.”
On his goal, he added: “I’ve been working hard for that and the lads have been telling me to shoot. When I got space I thought I’d just bang it.”
Juric annoyed with first-half display
Saints remain rooted to the foot despite another spirited display just three days after they dominated against Manchester United at Old Trafford before losing 3-1.
Boss Ivan Juric said: “In the first half, we are not competitive and that is what happened. We played with heart and intensity [in the second] and we scored. That is how we have to score.
“I didn’t speak with them [at half-time]. We are a competitive team but if we are down 10 per cent then we are not competitive. I hope a first half like today never happens again. They score the first two goals, that is ridiculous.
“Second half we fight and score twice. Aina saved another one. At Manchester United for 80 minutes, in the second half today, we were good. We are not ready for 90 minutes and that is a real pity.”