The Reds returned to The City Ground on Bank Holiday Monday with Southampton the visitors on Trentside.
Steve Cooper made one change to the side that lost to Brentford last weekend with Ryan Yates coming in and captaining the side, replacing Joe Worrall. There was also a place on the bench for Willy Boly who featured in the matchday squad for the first time since picking up an injury at Fulham back in February.
The first opening of the evening fell to the visitors as Theo Walcott slipped in Che Adams, but his effort was blocked behind for a corner by Felipe. At the other end, Forest looked to threaten next with Taiwo Awoniyi just unable to get on the end of a dangerous Lodi cross. The Reds then went close again moments later as Brennan Johnson just dragged his first effort of the game wide of the mark after he was found on the edge of the box by Morgan Gibbs-White.
On 18 minutes Forest found themselves in front. A long diagonal ball from Danilo was placed perfectly in the path of Brennan Johnson who picked out Taiwo Awoniyi with a first-time low cross and the Nigerian made no mistake from 8 yards out.
The Reds then made it 2 just 3 minutes later. Taiwo Awoniyi scored his second goal of the game after Danilo flicked the ball up towards the striker who swivelled and fired a ferocious volley past the stranded Alex McCarthy in the Southampton goal.
However, Southampton managed to pull one back on 25 minutes as they hit on the counterattack. Armstrong unselfishly squared the ball to Carlos Alcaraz who found himself 6 yards out with just Navas to beat and the Argentine tucked the ball into the back of the net.
Southampton were then forced to make an early substitution on 37 minutes. Armel Bella-Kotchap hobbled off and was replaced by Lyanco.
As the game approached half-time, Forest were awarded a penalty by referee Michael Oliver after Brennan Johnson was kicked and brought down inside the area. Morgan Gibbs-White stepped up and made no mistake from 12 yards out sending McCarthy the wrong way as Forest restored a two-goal cushion.
Half-time: Nottingham Forest 3-1 Southampton
Southampton had the first sight on goal in the second half as James Ward-Prowse whipped in a dangerous freekick, but Che Adams was unable to direct his headed attempt on target.
On 51 minutes, the visitors pulled a goal back. James Ward-Prowse whipped in an in-swinging corner and substitute Lyanco rose highest to head past Navas from 6 yards out.
With just over an hour on the clock Southampton opted for their second change with Theo Walcott being replaced by Sulemana. This prompted Steve Cooper to make his first change of the game with Joe Worrall coming on to replace Serge Aurier. Ryan Yates was the next to make way shortly after with Cheikhou Kouyaté coming on as his replacement.
Forest then scored their fourth of the evening through Danilo. After some great work by Brennan Johnson down the right-hand side he cut the ball back to Morgan Gibbs-White who flicked the ball through to Danilo and he slotted home from close range.
Southampton decided to respond by making a triple change with Che Adams, Stuart Armstrong and Carlos Alcaraz making way for Paul Onuachu, Samuel Edozie and Adam Armstrong.
Renan Lodi then found himself in the referees’ notebook after bringing down Armstrong on the halfway line.
Cooper then made his final changes of the evening bringing off Taiwo Awoniyi, Renan Lodi and Brennan Johnson for Sam Surridge, Harry Toffolo and Willy Boly.
As 7 minutes were added to the second half, Felipe thought he’d scored his first Forest goal as he brilliantly controlled the ball and beat Alex McCarthy one on one, but after a VAR check the Brazilian was adjudged to be offside.
Southampton were then thrown a lifeline on 90+4 as they were awarded a penalty for a foul on Lavia. James Ward-Prowse stepped up and scored going straight down the middle.
Forest defended the end of the game well and managed to prevent a Southampton equaliser meaning The Reds secured all 3 points.
Full-time: Nottingham Forest 4-3 Southampton
Nottingham Forest: Keylor Navas, Serge Aurier (Joe Worrall 64'), Moussa Niakhaté. Felipe, Renan Lodi (Harry Toffolo 81'), Danilo, Orel Mangala, Ryan Yates (Cheikhou Kouyaté 70'), Morgan Gibbs-White, Brennan Johnson (Willy Boly 81'), Taiwo Awoniyi (Sam Surridge 81')
Substitutes: Wayne Hennessey, Remo Freuler, Harry Toffolo, Jesse Lingard, Andre Ayew
Goals: Taiwo Awoniyi (18’, 21’), Morgan Gibbs-White (44’), Danilo (73’)
Southampton: Alex McCarthy, Kyle Walker-Peters, Ainsley Maitland-Niles, James Ward-Prowse, Che Adams (Ebere Paul Onuachu 76'), Stuart Armstrong (Samuel Edozie 76'), Carlos Alcaraz (Adam Armstrong 76'), Theo Walcott (Kamaldeen Sulemana 61'), Jan Bednarek, Armel Bella-Kotchap (Lyanco 38'), Roméo Lavia
Substitutes: Gavin Bazunu, Duje Caleta-Car, Sekou Mara, Mohamed Elyounoussi
Goals: Carlos Alcaraz (25’), Lyanco (51’), James Ward-Prowse (90+6’)
Referee: Michael Oliver
Attendance: 29,154