Steve Cooper’s men ooze action and move three points over the fall

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Tayo Owonyi scored twice in the space of three minutes to put Forest in control, Carlos Alcarez pulled one back before Morgan Gibbs-White scored from the penalty spot, Janko halved the deficit before Danilo restored his side’s two-goal advantage and James Ward-Prowse scored a stoppage-time penalty overtime. But the hosts held firm

The only thing missing now is the big, fat R next to Southampton’s name in the Premier League standings. A waterlogged Robin Seals darted to the finish line away with a look of guilt – he knows his work wasn’t enough to keep this team in the Premier League.

It would be unfair to blame Selles for this massive mess of the season. He’s just one of three men in the hot seat none of whom have won more than three league games, while the once-good-looking recruiting department will be asked questions.

But the Spaniard failed even to make survival look somewhat possible. They have finished 196 days in the bottom three this season and look likely to go down all year, but the formula now is simple: win every game and hope Everton don’t score another point.

So, with one 11-year stay in the Premier League coming to an end, another club has made a case for extending their position at the top level. Forest played with pace, vigor and belief in the first half to score three goals, then displayed valiant defensive steel to pick up three vital points.

Taiwo Awoniyi ended a goal drought with his first two goals for Forest, Morgan Gibbs-White added another from the penalty spot and Danilo ended any fears of a late comeback to seal a game that sounded like the dictionary definition of ‘sex-down’.

Taiwo Owoni scored twice as Nottingham Forest sealed a massive win over Southampton. Onwoye opened the scoring midway through the first half with his first goal since January, then the striker doubled the lead three minutes later with a powerful shot on the corner, but the result ensured relegation for Southampton, who are seven points from safety fact

Nottingham Forest (4-3-1-2): Navas 7.5; Aurier 7 (Worrall 64, 6.5), Niakhate 7, Felipe 7, Lodi 6 (Toffolo 81); Mangala 6.5, Yats 7 (Quat 70, 6), Danilo 8; Gibbs White 8.5; Johnson 7.5 (Poly 81), Auney 7.5 (Suregg 81).

Unused subs: Hennessey, Lingard, Freuler, Ayew.

Booked: Lodi

Director: Steve Cooper 7

– Southampton (4-2-3-1): McCarthy 4, Walker Peters 5, Bednarik 5, Bela Kochab 4 (Lenko 38, 6), Maitland-Niles 3; Ward-Prowse 6.5, Lavia 6.5; Walcott 5 (Sulemana 61, 6), Alcaraz 5 (Armstrong 76), S Armstrong 6 (Eduzi 76); Adams 6.5 (Onuachu 76).

Submarines not in use: Bazonu, Kalita Kar, Mara, El Yunusi

Reserved: none

Director: Robin Sales 5

Referee: Michael Oliver, 7.5

Attendance: 29,154

The City Ground was teetering ahead of kick-off, with fan group Forza Garibaldi urging fans to hold their scarves high during a deafening performance by the Mull of Kintyre. It’s hard to think of a better atmosphere in English football than this venue at its best.

In saying that, though, most of here were nervous wreckages in the opening 10 minutes. From the task of eavesdropping across Trent Bridge, the general verdict was ‘do or die’ for Forest, with two tough games and a visit to Arsenal coming up.

That statement could be repeated with much more meaning for Southampton, though, who came here knowing that losing would spell their defeat.

The Saints started well and had two half chances in the first ten minutes, goals from Che Adams and Jan Bednarek.

But Forest’s fears were soon allayed when Taiwo Owoni opened the scoring in the 18th minute after a superb counter-attack that began with a superb pass from Danilo and ended with Brennan Johnson firing the Nigerian home.

It was Unyi’s first league goal since January 4, also against Saints, which was also Forest’s only away win of the season, with 27 of their 33 points this season at home. With two away games to play, this law emphasized the importance of this game.

They gave themselves a good chance and found themselves scored just three minutes into Unyi’s opener. After possibly being lucky at the end for the former, two goals were put clear past Alex McCarthy.

Morgan Gibbs-White scored his side’s third goal from the penalty spot after the Saints pulled one back.

The forest was in a dreamland and soon Garibaldi scarves were being hoisted over heads in celebration. Even Greek mobile owner Evangelos Marinakis slumped back in his seat, looking relieved.

Southampton narrowed the difference in his own net in 25 minutes. Morgan Gibbs-White lost the ball cheaply, and Robin Seals’ team sprinted onto the field, as Charlie Alcaraz finished off a tidy passing move that left one wondering why the Saints were in the gutter.

However, these thoughts did not last long, as Southampton’s reckless decisions made Forest restore their lead by two goals before the end of the first half. Ainsley Maitland-Niles missed a stupid penalty and Gibbs-White duly forced a decent penalty, right down the middle.

But the style of this game shifted drastically after the break. Forest now looked tense and Southampton played with less intent and fear. Lianko headed home not long into the second half and the visitors felt a comeback.

Danilo finished off a fine move to make it 4-2 midway through the second half at the City Ground James Ward-Prowse put up a tense finish from the penalty spot but Forest managed to hold on.

Cooper’s team has been chasing some concessions in the second half this season. They’ve lost 23 points from winning positions this season, more than any other league side except Leicester, and 15th higher in the league than those coming at home.

James Ward-Prowse bombarded Forest’s six-yard box with set pieces, but three-time Champions League winner Keylor Navas showed his expertise in handling the air attack.

But once the angst reached a boiling point, Forest ventured forward – a rarity in the second half – and Danilo scored a fourth, following a £42.5m assist from Gibbs White’s man. From a long list, the former Wolves man is their best work since the promotion.

Forest’s win saw them clear of the relegation zone by three points with three matches to play

Forest thought they had added a fine fifth goal in the 89th minute after a clever first touch and finished defender Felipe with a high Gibbs-White free-kick, but it was ruled offside after a long VAR consultation.

People at Stockley Park were called to action again seconds later to award Southampton a penalty when Sam Surig was adjudged to have fouled Romeo Lafia. James Ward-Prowse fired home but it wasn’t enough to avoid defeat.

There were tears and sarcasm in the missed finale, but for the rest of the City it was the scarves flying high roasting their biggest win of the season.

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