Southampton vs Nottingham Forest: What Ivan Juric said after Onuachu’s first EPL goal

Southampton manager Ivan Jurić has expressed confidence in Paul Onuachu's abilities after the Nigerian striker scored his first Premier League goal for Southampton, Soccernet.ng reports.

The towering Nigerian finally broke his goal drought in the English top flight, netting his debut Premier League goal in the dying moments of the match. However, it was not enough to secure victory or a point for the Saints.

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Despite the 3-2 defeat, Jurić revealed that the Super Eagles forward has much to offer the struggling Southampton side.

“I think Paul has quality,” Jurić said in his post-match comments. “He wants to score, he is a fighter. This is the quality, and I want players with quality. I think Paul can give us a lot.”

Onuachu’s header from a Mateus Fernandes cross handed hope to the visitors, but it wasn’t enough to salvage points for the Saints.

GOAL | Nottingham Forest 3-2 Southampton | Paul Onuachu

PAUL ONUACHU GETS ONE BACK FOR SOUTHAMPTON!pic.twitter.com/BH4692d4tk

— Tekkers Foot (@tekkersfoot) January 19, 2025

Onuachu, who joined Southampton in January 2023, had endured a tough spell with the club, failing to find the net in his earlier appearances.

After a season-long loan at Trabzonspor, where he scored 17 goals and provided four assists, Onuachu returned to Southampton looking to prove himself.

His first Premier League goal comes 658 days after making his debut against Brentford, but it arrives at a critical time for the Saints, who are rooted in the relegation zone with just six points from 22 games.

The Saints remain in dire need of points as they continue to fight for survival, and Onuachu will hope to build on this momentum to help the team avoid a relegation.