Nottingham Forest survived a late scare to move level on points with Arsenal in second with a 3-2 win at the City Ground against Premier League strugglers Southampton.
Only goal difference separates the two teams following another crucial win for Forest, who hung on after conceding a second in injury time, unlike the Gunners who squandered a two-goal lead to Aston Villa on Saturday.
Two stunning first-half finishes from Elliot Anderson and Callum Hudson-Odoi, before Chris Wood helped himself to his 14th goal of the season, looked to have put Forest in the driving seat until a frantic final 30 minutes.
Jan Bednarek guided Lesley Ugochukwu's shot over the head of Matz Sels in the 60th minute and the deficit was then reduced to just one goal after Paul Onuachu climbed off the bench to net a second in injury time.
Following a lengthy VAR delay to confirm Bednarek's goal and rule out Nikola Milenkovic's fourth for Forest, 12 minutes were added on - 720 seconds that felt like a lifetime for the home crowd.
However, propped up by the resilient defence and a goal-line clearance from Ola Aina, Forest's lead remained intact.
Their dreams of Champions League football are now solidified with the win, while Southampton's chances of survival are cut thinner as they remain 10 points adrift of safety.
dougiefresh
15
8 games unbeaten now in the Premier League for Nottingham Forest 🤯 European football will be back at the City Ground for the first time in nearly 30 years. MARK MY WORDS
thinkbig
13
forest has a better chance of wining the epl than Arsenel bottlers fc