Every word Nuno said on Nottingham Forest disallowed goal, Hudson-Odoi injury and 'tough' win
Head coach Nuno Espirito Santo was left to reflect on a “strange” second half as Nottingham Forest survived a fightback from Southampton to win 3-2 on Sunday afternoon.
First-half goals from Elliot Anderson, Callum Hudson-Odoi and Chris Wood had put the Reds firmly in control. But when Jan Bednarek pulled one back in fortuitous style and Nikola Milenkovic had a header ruled out, it paved the way for a nail-biting finale.
Paul Onuachu reduced the deficit further in the first of 12 added minutes and the hosts were left hanging on at the end. Nevertheless, they came through to claim all three points and make it eight Premier League games unbeaten. Below is a look at what Nuno had to say after the final whistle at the City Ground.
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On a nerve-wracking finale…
“Since the beginning we have been talking about how competitive this league is. You have to give your all and cannot ever underestimate or think the game is over. I credit Southampton a lot, with the way they created so many problems.
“We started really well. We pressed, we recovered and we scored, and everything becomes easier. First half we didn’t concede any situations that could create problems for Matz (Sels).
“The beginning of the second half was good and we controlled the possession. But it was a strange second half. We had a lot of stoppage, the game didn’t flow and we had VAR decisions and 12 minutes of added time. I think it always helps the team that is trying to get back in the game.
“We didn’t manage the situation so well. I’m delighted we won the game.”
On Milenkovic’s disallowed goal…
“I saw the image. VAR judge it. The law is clear. If a player is offside, has contact and interferes, the goal should be disallowed. Nothing to say about that."
On coming away with three points…
“We are delighted we won the game. We knew how tough it would be.
“We have to look back and see how demanding the one before this one was (Tuesday night’s 1-1 draw against Liverpool) - the high intensity required of our players, in terms of focus. We knew this could happen.
“It was a warning. It was a warning for everybody to realise that this league is very tough.”
On a potential injury to Hudson-Odoi…
“I think he felt stiff. We have to assess him. I hope it is nothing."
On a last-ditch clearance from Ola Aina in the final minutes…
“He did one in the previous game. It is one of his tasks - if you cover the back post, when the ball comes in you have to try to give a hand to the goalkeeper.
"I hope set-pieces don’t become a problem for us. We have to work on that."
On dealing with changing expectations…
“Our approach is always the same, and this is what guides us. What guides us is our levels of performance and the way we want to keep improving as a team. There are so many things we should improve.
“We know what we are. We know our weaknesses and our strengths, and we will keep insisting on that.
"That will not affect us. We have our own way to do things."
