Ola Aina and Joe Aribo made their second Premier League start this season as they looked to help their teams get their first win of the season.
Aina, who got injured and was subbed off against Bournemouth in the opening game, recovered from the injury to face Southampton.
The defender was crucial to Forest keeping a clean sheet away from home as they stole a narrow 1-0 victory over the Saints.
As it happened
Southampton are unchanged from the side that were narrowly beaten 1-0 by Newcastle in their first fixture back in the Premier League last weekend.
Super Eagles and Southampton star Joe Aribo made his second Premier League start in a row for the Saints.
Nuno Espirito Santo has made two changes to the Nottingham Forest side, who drew 1-1 with Bournemouth in their opening-day fixture last Saturday.
Ola Aina was named in the starting lineup for Forest, as he faced countryman Aribo for the first time this season.
Both teams started the game with much intensity but failed to create any quality chances heading into the break.
The second half started and it was Nottingham Forest who looked intentional, with dangerous attacks leading to the opening goal of the game.
Forest looped the ball back into the box after a corner was half-cleared and after his weak initial header was blocked, Morgan Gibbs-White reacted to poke in the loose ball.
Aribo was subbed off in the second half and replaced by Charlie Taylor after a below-par performance.
Southampton pushed for the equaliser, but Forest stood firm, denying the Saints any chance and securing the vital three points.