Nottingham Forest returned to winning ways as they survived a nervy finale to beat Southampton 3-2 at the City Ground.

Nuno Espirito Santo’s side went into the clash on the banks of the Trent looking to extend their unbeaten run in the Premier League to eight games. Having had to settle for a draw against leaders Liverpool on Tuesday night, the Reds knew victory against the Saints would take them level on points with second-placed Arsenal.

They got off to the perfect start in the Sunday lunchtime clash as Elliot Anderson opened the scoring with 11 minutes on the clock. Teed up by Morgan Gibbs-White, the midfielder opened his Forest account in style with a powerful strike from outside the box.

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Callum Hudson-Odoi then doubled the hosts’ lead just before the half-hour before Chris Wood made it 3-0 with a header on the stroke of the interval. The only negative to the first half was Hudson-Odoi being forced off with an injury just before the break.

The Reds pushed for more goals in the second period, with Wood and Gibbs-White both denied in the early stages. But it was Southampton who got on the scoresheet next as Jan Bednarek pulled one back on the hour.

Nikola Milenkovic thought he had restored Forest’s three-goal advantage soon after but had a header ruled out. And it meant the hosts faced an uncomfortable 12 minutes of added time when Paul Onuachu made it 3-2 in the 91st minute. They survived - just - but it was nerve-wracking viewing. Here’s how Reds reporter Sarah Clapson rated the Forest players at the City Ground.

Matz Sels: Really unlucky not to register another clean-sheet. Barely had anything to do before being beaten by an unfortunate Bednarek deflection from Lesley Ugochukwu’s shot. Then had a nervy finale to contend with when it became 3-2. Rating: 7/10

Ola Aina: Peach of a cross for Wood’s header. The full-back then came to the rescue at the other end of the pitch in added time with a massive clearance from off the line to prevent it from becoming 3-3. Rating: 8.5/10

Nikola Milenkovic: Could consider himself hard done by not to have got on the scoresheet. Was a terrific header, too. But after a VAR check and referee Anthony Taylor going to his pitchside monitor, it was deemed Wood had interfered with play after coming from an offside position. Rating: 8/10

Murillo: A collective intake of break around the City Ground when the centre-back needed a bit of treatment in the second half. He picked himself up, though. A good job as what had looked a comfortable victory became tense at the end. Rating: 8/10

Neco Williams: Another terrific performance from the Welshman. Bags of energy and got forward plenty, particularly in the first half. Stuck to his task and chipped in with some important defending. Rating: 8.5/10

Nicolas Dominguez: Back in the starting XI and won’t be easy to shift based on this evidence. Set the tone with an important block in the first half and barely stopped running in an energetic display. Rating: 8/10

Elliot Anderson: Some way to bag his first goal in the Garibaldi. A cracking hit from outside the box. Thoroughly deserved for the Geordie Maradona - he has had to wait a while for that one. Rating: 8/10

Anthony Elanga: Might not have had a goal involvement on this occasion but still caused Southampton plenty of problems when he raced forward. Looks full of confidence and in fine form at the moment. Rating: 8/10

Morgan Gibbs-White: Delightful touch to set Anderson on his way for the opener. Involved in some lovely passages of play and came mighty close to getting in on the goalscoring action after the break. Rating: 8/10

Callum Hudson-Odoi: A real shame and quite the concern to see him forced off with injury a few minutes after finding the back of the net with a superb strike. Certainly looked uncomfortable as he headed down the tunnel but hopefully it is nothing serious. Rating: 8/10

Chris Wood: Took his 14th of the season well to put his side three goals up. That made it his joint-best goalscoring season in the Premier League. Chipped in with an assist for Hudson-Odoi, too. Rating: 8/10

Subs

Jota Silva (for Hudson-Odoi, 38mins): Called into action earlier than he would have expected. Had some positive moments in the second half but Forest were not at their best after the break. Rating: 7/10

Morato (for Elanga, 73mins): Had to dig in at the end as the Reds came under pressure when Southampton had the bit between their teeth. Not an easy end to the game. Rating: 7/10

Ryan Yates (for Dominguez, 82mins): The Reds were on the ropes by the end. Had to help out defensively to get his team over the line. Rating: 6.5/10

Taiwo Awoniyi (for Wood, 82mins): Didn’t really get going. Proved to be a tough cameo appearance for the front man. Rating: 6/10

Ramon Sosa (for Gibbs-White, 83mins): Had to spend a fair bit of his time helping to defend as Forest were pushed back. Tried to clear the ball up pitch a few times. Rating: 6.5/10

Subs not used: Miguel, Ward-Prowse, Moreno, Boly.

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