Nottingham Forest reignited their Champions League dream with a commanding 2-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur, leaping back into third place in the Premier League after a blistering start at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Having momentarily slipped to sixth following the weekend’s results, Forest wasted no time in reclaiming their top-four credentials. Nuno Espirito Santo returned to North London with a point to prove, and his side delivered in style – pressing high, pouncing early, and punishing a lethargic Spurs defence.
The hosts barely had time to settle when Forest’s intensity bore fruit. A swirling corner from Anthony Elanga caused chaos in the box, and Elliot Anderson’s low strike – helped on its way by a deflection off Rodrigo Bentancur – found the net inside ten minutes.
Tottenham’s early disarray deepened just moments later. A short free kick caught them napping, and Elanga was again the architect, this time curling a pinpoint cross for Chris Wood to nod in Forest’s second. The New Zealander’s 19th goal of a prolific campaign highlighted just how ruthless Forest have become under Nuno’s rejuvenated leadership.
Spurs, fresh from their midweek Europa League heroics in Frankfurt, looked drained and disjointed. Despite half-chances for Wilson Odobert and Mathys Tel, there was little cohesion in their play. Even a golden opportunity fell flat when Tel fired wide with only the keeper to beat, before Richarlison squandered another gilt-edged chance with a wayward header.
The home crowd made their displeasure known at half-time, as Forest entered the break with a deserved two-goal cushion. Tactical tweaks followed, with Forest shifting to a back three to tighten their grip, while Tottenham introduced reinforcements in a bid to claw their way back.
Forest had chances to kill the game. Wood turned provider for Morgan Gibbs-White, who volleyed wide with the goal beckoning, before Harry Toffolo produced a stunning goal-line clearance to deny Dejan Kulusevski. Matz Sels, Forest’s stalwart between the sticks, was called into action repeatedly, with crucial saves keeping Spurs at bay – none better than his reflex stop from Richarlison at point-blank range.
Eventually, Tottenham did breach Forest’s rearguard. Pedro Porro’s cross was expertly met by Richarlison, who glanced home a header to give the home fans hope with ten minutes to play. But despite a frantic finale, Forest’s defensive resilience saw them over the line.
This latest scalp marks another chapter in Forest’s remarkable rise this season, with Elanga’s creativity and Wood’s clinical finishing driving them closer to Europe’s elite. For Spurs and Ange Postecoglou, it’s a sobering reminder that midweek glory counts for little when the weekend exposes old frailties.
