Southampton's St Mary's hoodoo against Nottingham Forest in the Premier League continued as Russell Martin's men went down 1-0 to the Tricky Trees in Saturday's tightly-fought contest.
Facing a side whom they had curiously never beaten at home in the Premier League, Southampton's steady, possession-based style of football was in stark contrast to Forest's gung-ho attacking approach, although clear-cut chances were few and far between.
Southampton's attacking play in the first 45 left a lot to be desired, while only 33% of Forest's shots - four from 12 - were on target before the break, although debutant Nikola Milenkovic spurned a glorious chance to prod the Tricky Trees ahead.
However, star man Morgan Gibbs-White was no so wasteful in front of goal, finally drawing first blood on the South Coast 20 minutes before the end, and the hosts had no response in the short time that remained.
On the balance of attacking play alone, Nuno Espirito Santo's men deserved to head back to the City Ground with all three points, prolonging their unbeaten start to 2024-25 after last week's equally low-key draw with Bournemouth.
As was the case in Southampton's gameweek one loss to Newcastle United, there were positive elements for Martin to reflect on from the one-goal loss, but a devastating touch up top is still eluding the newly-promoted side.
SOUTHAMPTON VS. FOREST HIGHLIGHTS
Morgan Gibbs-White goal vs. Southampton (70th min, Southampton 0-1 Nottingham Forest)
Southampton have showed more attacking intent in the second half, but it is Forest who finally break the deadlock 20 minutes from the end thanks to the jewel in their crown.
A Forest corner is recycled to the edge of the area, and Callum Hudson-Odoi's inswinging delivery meets Gibbs-White, whose first goal-bound header is blocked by Yukinari Sugawara before he taps in the rebound into an open net.
MAN OF THE MATCH - MORGAN GIBBS-WHITE
© Imago
A special shoutout to Saints goalkeeper Alex McCarthy, who made a number of crucial stops to keep Forest at bay for large parts, but Gibbs-White's endeavour was finally rewarded late on.
The former Wolverhampton Wanderers starlet succeeded with the second bite of the cherry at the back post and was a chief threat all afternoon, firing four shots, creating three chances and completing four successful dribbles in a performance that warranted all three points.
SOUTHAMPTON VS. FOREST MATCH STATS
Possession: Southampton 65%-35% Forest
Shots: Southampton 5-23 Forest
Shots on target: Southampton 1-8 Forest
Corners: Southampton 4-10 Forest
Fouls: Southampton 14-14 Forest
WHAT NEXT?
Southampton hit the road once again next weekend, as the Saints travel to Brentford for a Saturday 3pm kickoff still searching for their first points of the new term.
As for Nottingham Forest, Santo prepares for a reunion with former club Wolverhampton Wanderers, who visit the City Ground on August 31.
Ben Knapton
