Nottingham Forest strike, Taiwo Awoniyi scored two goals in a 4-3 win over Southampton on Monday night.
Steve Cooper made one change from the defeat at Brentford with Ryan Yates back to full-fitness having missed six Premier League games with a shoulder injury. He replaced Joe Worrall.
Southampton made three changes from their defeat at Newcastle, reintroducing Theo Walcott, Ainsley Maitland-Niles and Che Adams in a much more attacking line-up.
Danilo was involved again, forcing the ball through as it popped up nicely for Awoniyi to ram home on the turn. The City Ground was rocking at that point with any tension inside the stadium gone, but a reminder of their fragility moments later put it back in the balance.
A loose pass from the otherwise magnificent Gibbs-White was seized upon and Stuart Armstrong centred the ball for Alcaraz to slot into the net. With Saints desperate for victory, they were ready to throw everything at Forest. A draw was of little use.
Unfortunately for them, they could not keep the back door closed. Johnson continued to enjoy the space in behind and won a penalty when Ainsley Maitland-Niles caught him while trying to clear. Gibbs-White put the penalty down the middle and the crowd rejoiced.
If Forest fans were hoping for a nerveless second half, those dreams were dashed when Brazilian defender Lyanco headed in James Ward-Prowse’s corner. But Gibbs-White’s clever touch at the other end laid the ball on for Danilo and appeared to settle the match.
Not this match. Felipe had a goal disallowed for offside. Sam Surridge clipped Romeo Lavia inside the box and Ward-Prowse reduced the deficit to one goal once more in stoppage time. Forest were hanging on beyond the 100-minute mark but they did it.
The game summed up Southampton’s season – plenty of promise, encouraging signs – but this Premier League can be cruel and their defensive vulnerability was exposed. Forest had more steel and more subtlety in key moments. It could yet keep them up.