Morgan Gibbs-White spoiled Southampton’s Premier League homecoming as his first goal of the season earned Nottingham Forest a 1-0 win at St. Mary’s.

Forest’s attacking prowess was rewarded in the 70th minute as Gibbs-White was the quickest to react inside the penalty area to finish beyond Alex McCarthy.

It was the least the visitors deserved on the South Coast having dominated proceedings from the first whistle, registering 12 shots on target without reward in the first half.

Russell Martin’s side rarely offered a threat in the final third, with Kyle Walker-Peters going closest early after the break.

Having let their lead slip against AFC Bournemouth late last time out, Forest were able to hold on to move up to fourth in the early-season standings, with Southampton down in 16th.

How the match unfolded

Forest started brightly in the south coast sunshine, with Neco Williams the first to test McCarthy, as Chris Wood also forced another save from the Saints ’keeper soon after, having been picked out by Ola Aina at the back post.

Nikola Milenkovic almost marked his Reds debut with a goal in the 33rd minute but was unable to guide Wood’s ball across the area with the goal at his mercy.

Despite the Saints responding early in the second half, Forest would get the goal their performance merited 20 minutes from time. Gibbs-White saw his initial effort blocked by Yukinari Sugawara, only for the ball to drop kindly into his path to finish on the rebound.

Anthony Elanga almost increased Forest’s advantage moments later but saw his effort saved by McCarthy, with Callum Hudson-Odoi’s going close once more.

Forest were able to withstand a late push from the hosts to secure their maiden triumph of the season.

Martin yet to find winning formula

Southampton have been the busiest in the transfer market upon their return to the Premier League, welcoming 15 new players, eight of whom were on show against Forest, as their first top-flight home match in 454 days ended in disappointment.

They had to wait until the 38th minute to register their first attempt on Matz Sels’ goal, with their attacking front line failing to find cohesion in the final third.

Last season’s top scorer Adam Armstrong cut a lone figure at the head of the Saints attack, with his adjustment to the top flight yet to transpire, having netted four goals in his previous 69 Premier League appearances for Southampton and Newcastle United.

Ben Brereton Diaz also endured a difficult outing against his former employers and is now without a win in the Premier League in 16 attempts.

With so many new players, Martin will still be figuring out his best starting line-up and will hope to find the answer soon.

Forest’s front line finally clicking

After likening the challenge of the Saints to champions Manchester City earlier in the week, Nuno Espirito Santo will be hopeful of a similar display when they face Pep Guardiola’s side in December.

Forest extended their unbeaten away run to seven games against Southampton, more than they have managed against any other opponent in the Premier League.

The Reds boast an exciting attacking quartet of Gibbs-White, Elanga, Hudson-Odoi and Wood, but know, much like their opponents, that they must find that clinical edge in front of goal with the striking options at their disposal.

Forest registered the most shots of any side in the first round of fixtures, adding 23 more to that tally at St Mary’s, although only eight were on target.

But having scored the fourth-fewest goals in the division last season, a campaign together has seemingly improved their relationship on the pitch. That togetherness will be crucial in ensuring their Premier League safety this time around.

Club reports

Southampton report | Nott’m Forest report

What the managers said

Russell Martin: “First half there was a lot of tension and it led to them transitioning a lot. After their goal, we were chasing it and it became a lot more open. It looked like we could cause problems.”

Nuno Espirito Santo: “We don’t possess the quality at the top end of the pitch that they do and I’m really annoyed to concede the goal from the set play after the amount of work we do on them.”

Match officials

Referee: Sam Barrott. Assistants: Tim Wood, Simon Long. Fourth official: John Busby. VAR: Graham Scott. Assistant VAR: Adrian Holmes.