Elliot Anderson admitted Nottingham Forest made it difficult for themselves after pulling off a 3-2 win over Southampton this afternoon.
Nuna Espirito Santo’s side moved level on points with second-placed Arsenal despite almost squandering a 3-0 lead against the Premier League’s bottom side at the City Ground.
Goals from Anderson, Callum Hudson-Odoi and Chris Wood in the opening 41 minutes looked to have put the game away from the Saints, but they hit back in the second half through Jan Bednarek and Paul Onuachu. The visitors then almost equalized, and Ola Ain had to clear from the line to deny Bednarek a second goal.
Three points at home. pic.twitter.com/BDXkDKNbMF
— Nottingham Forest (@NFFC) January 19, 2025
Anderson told the BBC’s Match of the Day: “We started really brightly, but we struggled in the second half. In the end we got three points and I’m very happy.”
It was good work for Forest who successfully built on a midweek draw with leaders Liverpool.
“We went into both games with the same mentality,” Anderson said. “Southampton were very good in midweek against Manchester United so we knew it would be difficult for us.
“The manager said it’s always difficult when you have something to lose. We needed those three points because teams are sneaking up behind us.”
He added about his goal: “I worked hard for it and the boys told me to shoot. When I got places, I thought I was just going to bang him.”
Jurić annoyed by the display in the first half
Saints remain rooted despite another spirited game just three days after they dominated Manchester United at Old Trafford before losing 3-1.
Head coach Ivan Jurić said: “In the first half, we were not competitive and that’s what happened. We played with heart and intensity [in the second] and we scored. That’s how we have to score.
“I didn’t talk to them [at half-time]. We are a competitive team, but if we drop 10 percent, then we are not competitive. I hope such a first half will never happen again. They score the first two goals, it’s ridiculous.
“In the 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 shame.”
