Nottingham Forest managed to hold off a strong Southampton comeback in the second half to secure a close 3-2 win, staying in contention with Arsenal and Liverpool in the race for the Premier League title.
Forest maintained their composure in the final minutes to secure their seventh victory in the last eight games, reducing the gap with league leaders Liverpool to six points.
Under the guidance of Nuno Espirito Santo, Forest put on a disciplined and efficient performance in the first half, gaining a comfortable lead at halftime with goals from Elliot Anderson and Callum Hudson-Odoi, followed by Chris Wood's 14th goal of the season.
Despite missing key player Tyler Dibling due to injury, Southampton did not give up. Jan Bednarek and Paul Onuachu scored to bring them back into the game in the second half, but Forest held on to secure the win.
Forest took the lead with a long-range strike from Anderson in the 12th minute after a clever flick from Morgan Gibbs-White set him up.
Southampton's attempts to play out from the back backfired as Wood capitalized on Bednarek's mistake, and Hudson-Odoi found the back of the net.
Southampton were fortunate to keep 11 players on the field after Flynn Downes' reckless challenge on Gibbs-White, eventually receiving a yellow card from referee Anthony Taylor.
Forest extended their lead with a well-taken header from Wood, set up by Ola Aina, exposing Southampton's defensive vulnerabilities.
Despite a chance for a fourth goal early in the second half, Forest were denied by a great save from Ramsdale and a missed follow-up from Gibbs-White.
Southampton pulled one back through an own goal from Bednarek, giving them hope, but a disallowed goal for Forest kept the score close.
With Southampton scoring again through Onuachu from a corner, the game had a tense finale, but Forest managed to hold on for the win.
A last-minute goal-line clearance from Aina denied Bednarek an equalizer, sealing the victory for Forest as the home fans breathed a sigh of relief.