Elliot Anderson admitted Nottingham Forest made things difficult for themselves after securing a 3-2 win over Southampton this afternoon.
Nuno Espirito Santo’s side finished level on points with second-placed Arsenal despite almost blowing 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 first 41 minutes seemed to have decided the game for the Saints, but they hit back in the second half through Jan Bednarek and Paul Onuachu. The visitors then almost managed an unlikely equalizer when Ola Aina had to clear off the line to deny Bednarek his second goal.
Three points at home. pic.twitter.com/BDXkDKNbMF
– Nottingham Forest (@NFFC) January 19, 2025
Anderson told BBC Match of the Day: “We started really well but made it difficult for ourselves in the second half. In the end we got the three points and I’m really happy.”
It was a job well done for Forest, who successfully built on their midweek draw against league leaders Liverpool.
“We wanted to approach both games with the same mentality,” Anderson said. “Southampton were really good against Manchester United during the week so we knew it would be difficult for us.
“The manager said it was always difficult when you had something to lose. We needed these three points because there are teams coming up behind us.”
On his goal, he added: “I worked hard for it and the boys told me to shoot. When I had space, I thought I would just do it.”
Juric was annoyed by the performance in the first half
The Saints remain anchored to the foot despite another spirited performance just three days after they dominated and subsequently lost 3-1 against Manchester United at Old Trafford.
Boss Ivan Juric said: “In the first half we weren’t competitive and that’s exactly what happened. We played with heart and intensity (in the second half) and scored a goal. That’s how we have to score points.
“I didn’t talk to them (at halftime). We are a competitive team, but if we lose 10 percent we are not competitive. I hope that a first half like today never happens again. They score the first two goals, that’s ridiculous.
“In the second half we fight and score twice. Aina saved another one. At Manchester United today we were good for 80 minutes in the second half. We’re not ready for 90 minutes and that’s a real shame.”
