Tottenham 1-2 Nottingham Forest: Chris Wood strike lifts Forest to third with crucial win at Spurs
Chris Wood netted his 19th Premier League goal of the season to lead Nottingham Forest to a vital 2-1 away win over Tottenham Hotspur on Monday, reigniting their push for Champions League qualification and propelling them to third in the table.
Forest had slipped to sixth after back-to-back defeats but returned to winning ways with a dominant early performance in north London. Nuno Espirito Santo’s side struck first in the fifth minute when a corner found Elliot Anderson on the edge of the box and his deflected shot beat the goalkeeper.
Wood, who initially had a goal ruled out by VAR for a marginal offside, made no mistake minutes later, rising to meet Anthony Elanga’s cross with a perfectly placed glancing header in the 16th minute.
Tottenham responded with late pressure and were rewarded when Richarlison scored a powerful header in the 87th minute to spark a tense finish. Despite Spurs' 22 shots and a barrage of late chances, Forest held firm to secure all three points, moving above Chelsea, Manchester City, and Newcastle United in the standings with 60 points.
"The result was massive for us. It was a huge game to come into to try to get three points. The lads dug in and we showed what we are about and we're buzzing," said Anderson after the match. "We really needed that after two defeats. We have come back and bounced back so it is huge for us. We've got to keep believing until the last game. We will be pushing."
For Tottenham, the defeat marks their first home league loss to Forest since 1997 and adds further pressure on manager Ange Postecoglou, with the club staring down the possibility of their worst Premier League points total since 1997-98.
"It's another unacceptable loss," said Postecoglou. "It's too many losses. I know that. I don't need to tell the fans anything. The fans clearly wouldn't be happy with our results, but neither am I and neither are the players."
Despite Tottenham’s heavy possession and attacking efforts, Forest’s deep defensive setup and effective counter-attacking game plan proved decisive. A goal-line clearance by Harry Toffolo and key saves from Matz Sels helped preserve the lead.
With a favorable fixture list ahead and momentum on their side, Forest now find themselves in a strong position to return to the Champions League for the first time since winning it in 1979 and 1980. They also have the chance to add silverware as they prepare to face Manchester City in the FA Cup semi-final next weekend.
SportsLigue