Tottenham 3 – 1 N Forest

Second-half objectives from defenders Micky van de Ven and Pedro Porro moved Tottenham into the highest 4 after a 3-1 house win over struggling Nottingham Forest.

Ange Postecoglou’s aspect had been lucky to be stage on the break however produced a pointy second-half efficiency to strengthen their hopes of Champions League soccer as they moved above Aston Villa into fourth on purpose distinction.

Spurs took a Fifteenth-minute lead by a Murillo personal purpose after the defender had practically scored a spectacular opener from inside his personal half simply minutes earlier.

However the house aspect had been pegged again when Chris Wooden levelled within the twenty seventh minute, after which they need to have been behind seven minutes later because the Forest striker hit the publish from simply two yards out.

Spurs took benefit of that vast miss as they restored their lead early within the second half by Van de Ven’s thunderous strike (52).

Porro then gave Spurs a two-goal lead six minutes later with a robust end on the again publish to finish Forest’s three-game unbeaten run and depart them outdoors of the relegation zone on purpose distinction forward of 18th-placed Luton.

How Spurs strengthened their Champions League hopes

There have been some doubts forward of kick-off whether or not the sport would go forward after police opened a homicide investigation following a stabbing close to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium simply earlier than 6am on Sunday morning.

However Spurs confirmed the fixture, which had already been introduced ahead from Monday on account of journey disruption in London, remained on practically 4 hours earlier than the 6pm kick-off.

Tottenham started the sport brightly, however it was Forest who practically took a spectacular Eleventh-minute lead when defender Murillo tried a shot from properly inside his personal half that looped over Spurs goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario and went simply huge.

4 minutes later, Murillo went from practically a hero to finish zero as he became his personal internet from a Timo Werner cross to provide Spurs the lead.

A dominant Tottenham pushed for a second as Forest goalkeeper Matz Sels did fantastically to disclaim ex-Forest ahead Brennan Johnson from shut vary within the twenty fourth minute.

However three minutes later Forest punished a large open Spurs defence as Anthony Elanga burst down the appropriate to chop again for Wooden, who fired house to attain for a fourth consecutive Premier League sport.

With Spurs rocked and Forest buoyed, Wooden ought to have had a second within the thirty fourth minute however the striker missed a wonderful probability as he smashed a two-yard rebound from Ryan Yates’ saved shot in opposition to the publish.

Spurs’ frustration confirmed when Maddison escaped punishment for an off-the-ball whack into the abdomen of Yates, who went down however VAR didn’t intervene.

Spurs had been lucky to go in stage on the break and are but to have a house half-time lead in 2024.

Postecoglou responded with a half-time double substitution as Rodrigo Bentancur and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg had been introduced on, and the latter practically made an immediate impression as his deflected shot from distance was tipped over by Sels.

Spurs’ quick begin to the second half was rewarded within the 52nd minute when Van de Ven hammered in from simply contained in the field for a memorable first house purpose for the membership.

Then simply six minutes later, Tottenham scored their Eleventh Premier League purpose by a defender this season – the joint-most of any aspect (Arsenal additionally 11) – when Porro drilled in from Bentancur’s flicked header to the again publish.

Porro’s strike gave Spurs full management as Forest struggled to threaten, whereas Spurs pushed to enhance their purpose distinction on Villa.

Heung-Min Son got here near doing so late on however Forest goalkeeper fantastically saved his shot onto the publish as Spurs noticed out the sport to place them on 60 factors – the identical tally they completed on final season – and make it a depressing Tottenham return for Forest boss Nuno Espirito Santo after his ill-fated 4 months in cost three years in the past.

Ange: Dominant second half acquired the win

Tottenham supervisor Ange Postecoglou to Sky Sports activities:

“Had somewhat little bit of all the things, I suppose. We began the sport properly sufficient and other than the purpose, we had a superb grip on it. However after they scored, we misplaced our means in direction of the tip of the primary half and Vic needed to make a superb save to maintain us in it.

“Second half, we had been actually dominant. There have been good contributions from everybody, scored a few objectives and possibly may’ve scored just a few extra.

“I do not care who wins [the Premier League title race], however we’ll be in there preventing for ourselves and seeing how far we are able to push ourselves for us to construct our foundations. Hopefully we’re one of many groups within the title race.”

On half-time subs: “It wasn’t about being blissful, we simply wanted some vitality. Three video games in per week, I’ve a luxurious now of getting a squad, which I did not have for a giant a part of the 12 months so why not utilise them?

“We have a troublesome run-in, we will want the entire squad so it is good to have that out there.”

Nuno: Maddison ought to have been despatched off for Yates conflict

Nottingham Forest supervisor Nuno Espirito Santo informed Sky Sports activities when questioned about Maddison’s off-the-ball incident with Yates:

“For me, it is clear. There are two moments within the first half we are able to discuss. That state of affairs, I believe it is a crimson card. I believe Maddison loses his composure and he reacts.

“I am stunned VAR did not noticed it and I am stunned Simon [Hooper] pretended like nothing occurred.

“Then the clear probability we had with Chris within the first half that went onto the publish. That might change the sport.”

On the sport: “Within the first half, we had been taking part in the sport imagined. We carried out properly, good actions, it’s tough to cease Tottenham, however we managed to manage them not less than.

“We had good spells and managed to realize a purpose. We had possibilities.

“The second half was not good. To start with, we had been too passive to permit the shot after which it turns into very arduous. That is disappointing as a result of we wished to maintain on going. We felt that we may do significantly better.

“It is a struggle and we’ll carry on preventing. We’re right here to struggle till the tip, the gamers have the character till the final minute. This offers us confidence.”

Opta stats: Forest’s away struggles proceed

• For the reason that starting of final season, Nottingham Forest have received fewer away factors (18 – W3 D9 L23) and misplaced extra away video games (23) than some other ever-present Premier League workforce. Forest have misplaced 27 of their 30 video games on the highway within the competitors in opposition to groups beginning the day within the top-five (W1 D2).
• Each groups have scored in every of Tottenham Hotspur’s final 12 house Premier League video games (F26 A19) with solely Blackpool (17 between August 2010 and April 2011) and Brighton and Hove Albion (Might 2023 and December 2023) ever seeing longer such runs within the competitors.
• Chris Wooden has scored 12 objectives for Nottingham Forest within the Premier League this season, with solely Stan Collymore (22 in 1994-95) and Bryan Roy (13 in 1994-95) netting extra in a single marketing campaign for the Difficult Timber.
• Murillo’s personal purpose was the fifth Tottenham Hotspur have benefitted from within the Premier League this season, the outright most of any aspect; the Brazilian grew to become the sixth Nottingham Forest participant to attain an personal purpose within the competitors, after Mark Crossley, Steve Chettle, Colin Cooper, Des Lyttle, and Andrew Omobamidele.

What’s next?

Tottenham are again in motion on Saturday as they go to Newcastle within the Premier League; kick-off 12.30pm.

Nottingham Forest additionally play on the identical day, internet hosting Wolves; kick-off 3pm.

Ad content | Stream Sky Sports on NOW

Stream Sky Sports activities reside with no contract on a Month or Day membership on NOW. Instantaneous entry to reside motion from the Premier League, EFL, F1, England Cricket and a lot extra.