Nottm Forest beat Tottenham in Premier League
Anderson's deflected strike & Wood's header give Reds win
Victory moves Forest back up to third in table, Spurs stay 16th
Image source, Getty ImagesNottingham Forest returned to third, and Tottenham lost their 18th match of the season.
You can read all about it in Gary Rose's report.
Thanks as always for keeping us entertained with your Get Involveds.
Always a blast!
We'll be back for Manchester City vs Aston Villa tomorrow.
FT: Tottenham 1-2 Nottingham Forest
Nottingham Forest manager Nuno Espirito Santo to BBC Match of the Day: "I think it was a big improvement. I think we reacted well from the previous game. There was a clear intention to bounce back and the boys did well.
"We have a clear way to play and when we found ourselves in our identity. We control really well the game in the first half. We had goals, but also Tottenham created chances in the second half and we had to hold on to what we had.
"I don't believe it impacts us, if we play before or after [our rivals], The way we approach it is game by game.
"I think we've been able this season to compete well and fight for every ball. The boys did it.
"We have a big week ahead of us. We want to recover the players and we can enjoy this."
"If you look back at the first half Tottenham created a lot of problems for us in wide areas. We had Matz [Sels] at a high level keep us in the game. You have to remember we are playing quality players."
On Harry Toffolo's brilliant clearance: "You have to do everything you can to stop the ball going into the net."
On facing Manchester City in the FA Cup semi-finals next: "It's a moment to enjoy. It's a rare opportunity that we have in our life to go to Wembley to compete against a big team for a trophy that we have chased for years."
FT: Tottenham 1-2 Nottingham Forest
Will Still
RC Lens manager speaking on Sky Sports
It all depends on what Tottenham are trying to do.
Do they want to be 100% focussed on the Europa League or are they still trying to do something in the Premier League? Where do they want to go with it?
You can see the frustration from Ange Postecoglou, because ultimately they have lost the game on two set pieces.
FT: Tottenham 1-2 Nottingham Forest
Will Still
RC Lens manager speaking on Sky Sports
Nottingham Forest are willing to get a body on the line, get a toe on the line, anything to pick up points.
It wasn't the most sexy display in the second half but they just get the job done. Their game management is superb.
It is just pure commitment and determination.
Awkward.
Forest's next game is against Manchester City in the semi-finals of the FA Cup.
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Don’t worry Spurs. Liverpool next up.
Anon
FT: Tottenham 1-2 Nottingham Forest
Tottenham midfielder Dejan Kulusevski speaking to Sky Sports: "Yes sloppy start, we concede three goals in ten minutes. Yes one was offside but then after that it is difficult to get back in.
"[Slow start] can depend on a lot of things. We also played on Thursday night, but you have got to be ready from the start. You come back from a long trip at five in the morning but if you are not on it then you will pay. That's what we did.
"We played some decent football today and created some good chances. They are a very difficult team to play because they are very good at defending and play a lot of men behind the ball. We created a lot of chances. Their goalkeeper mads some good saves. I hate to lose. It is a bad feeling.
"I am happy to be back. I'm back for the most important part of the season which is important. I feel very good physically. I am very angry that we lost but I've got to think about the process and stay focused.
"When you are in this part of the season and have a lot of injuries you have to take care of that. You have to do what you can do to make people healthy."
Just a few more interviews to come and then we're done.
Oh, and thanks for the message Zac.
FT: Tottenham 1-2 Nottingham Forest
More from Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou speaking to Sky Sports:
On his half time changes: "It was pre-planned for van de Ven and Romero to play 45 minutes and the same with Kulusevski and Odobert who have not played in quite a while. Everyone got through it ok I guess. That is one thing but we want to maintain momentum but we missed that opportunity.
"It is a bit of a balancing act. We have got to be ready for Thursday week, that is the big game for us. We have to have all of our players healthy and in good condition."
On facing Liverpool this weekend: "Another good test. Look if we play like we did today but keep our concentration levels where they should be then we can give them a game. We still need to rectify a couple of things."
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Not a spurs fan (lfc) but have to say. Spurs absolutely dominated, with some incredible missed chances, Vicario in no man's land for the second and what even forest will admit was a lucky deflection for the first (not to take credit away from forest who have been unreal this season!). But genuinely what can Ange do? In terms of chances created and game dominance, which seems most if not all a manager can do, you were superb?
Zac, London
FT: Tottenham 1-2 Nottingham Forest
Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou speaking to Sky Sports: "It's disappointing. It's a game we should never lose. One we have let slip. I'm really disappointed with the goals we conceded. The most frustrating thing outside of that is our football was outstanding. We couldn't have dominated any more than we did.
"We've seen this all year. We have just conceded poor goals and given ourselves a mountain to climb. It is not about mistakes being repeated but not having that concentration and focus for the whole game.
"We had a focus on Thursday night that we didn't seem to have at the beginning of the game and then after we conceded we knuckled down and started playing our football. You can't give teams two goal starts. There's too many games this year that we have lost in that manner and that is why we are in the position that we are."
FT: Tottenham 1-2 Nottingham Forest
Nottingham Forest boss Nuno Espirito Santo speaking to Sky Sports: "There is no other way. Tottenham put us against the ropes so it is about defending and holding on to the result.
"We started the game well. We created danger with good combinations. We wanted to go more offensive in the second half, try to be more dangerous and have more of the ball.
"When you have something it is about getting through it, especially in these moments of the season when there is fatigue, not only physical but mental, anxiety, all these things made the team go back a bit. Credit to Tottenham. They created so many chances against us and we were fortunate to get away with the result.
"We were controlling the game but Tottenham were having lots of crosses and space in the wide areas, so it [half time change] was about having an extra man and squeezing a bit more. You have one less man to press in midfield but you then have one more in the box.
"Matz has been huge for us all season. He kept us in the game so we are delighted.
"Our fans have been fantastic for us. Today they gave us an extra run, not only here but also at the City Ground. We cannot thank them enough
"We have a big week ahead of us. We have to prepare well then go to Wembley and enjoy. You don't get these moments often, especially in this league when we are fighting for something nobody expected."
There are layers to these live texts. We don't just throw 'em together.
Who knows, Ujen...
But somebody better warn poor Max.
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About your comments on Tottenham going down.. sure we are safe this year… maybe next year?
Ujen
FT: Tottenham 1-2 Nottingham Forest
Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou to BBC Match of the Day: "It's disappointing . Another disappointing loss. A loss that for large parts was self-inflicted. We conceded two poor goals and gave ourselves a a mountain to climb. I still think we didn't deserve to lose on the balance of play.
"Our football was good, there's no denying that. We created loads of opportunities, we had them pegged in. But like I said it was really disappointing to concede the two goals like we did.
"It's hurt us all year, we've let ourselves down. It's a game we should have won tonight and it's another one this year. There shouldn't have been slow start.
"From our perspective there was some good game time for the guys that needed it. We were able to rest a few that will help us.
"That's the frustrating bit, it's not the only time it's happened this year. We have to accept the fact we haven't been at the level we should be. I don't like losing, we've lost too many games. We've got to keep working and try and rectify these things so the football we play gets the results it deserves."
Swedish champions and 1979 finalists Malmo will be in the first qualifying round of next year's Champions League by the way.
So it could genuinely happen.
When Forest beat Malmo at home next season under the lights the hairline loss will be worth it, Andrew.
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A fantastic win for Forest. After lethargic performances in their two previous outings, this was exactly what was required. Champions League football is so tantalisingly close now - whether or not my heart/nerves/hairline will get through the next five games if they’re anything like that, is, however, up for debate.
Andrew, Stevenage
FT: Tottenham 1-2 Nottingham Forest
More from Nottingham Forest goalkeeper Matz Sels speaking to Sky Sports: "With 66 points you are normally quite sure to finish in the top five but this season it might be a little bit more because all the teams around us keep winning. There's five games to go and we know what we need to do.
"We will see where we can end up but we already played an amazing season. We can be proud of what we did up until now but we want to give everything to finish there in the top five."
"I did well in the last years in France but maybe the people here in England do not follow that league. The last deadline day was not easy to stay here with Forest but the Gaffer had a plan and he created something really good.
"Even last year when I came here it was almost the same team, so already we had a lot of quality. In the Premier League there are no easy games. We started the season well and the victory at Liverpool gave us a lot of confidence and the belief came bit by bit."
Chris Wood scored his first goal since mid-February for Nottingham Forest
Nottingham Forest boosted their Champions League hopes as an impressive victory against Tottenham moved them back up to third in the Premier League.
The visitors started the day sixth but were in a determined mood from the outset at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium to get the result that would see them climb back up the table.
They took just five minutes to open the scoring when Elliot Anderson's thunderous volley deflected off Rodrigo Bentancur to fly into the back of the net.
Spurs' poor league form this term has been well documented and despite winning at Eintracht Frankfurt last Thursday to reach the Europa League semi-finals, they failed to carry that momentum into this game.
They saw plenty of the ball and got into good positions but were not threatening enough and instead Forest added a second in the 16th minute when Chris Wood nodded in from Anthony Elanga's delivery.
Wood has been instrumental to Forest's impressive form this season with this strike his 19th in the Premier League this season.
Mathys Tel lashed wide when unmarked towards the end of the first half, while Richarlison - making his first Tottenham start since February - headed over from close range.
Harry Toffolo made a crucial goalline clearance to hook away Dejan Kulusevski's effort midway through the second half, before Matz Sels produced an excellent save to deny Richarlison late on.
Spurs came alive in the final minutes and got a goal back with three minutes remaining when Richarlison finally beat Sels with a header.
But Forest held their nerve to seal a victory and edge closer towards securing European football next season.
Forest had clear intention to bounce back - Nuno Espirito Santo
Finishing in the top five will currently be enough to secure a place in the Champions League, but weekend results had seen Forest - the surprise package of the season - drop out of those positions.
A trip to Tottenham with the pressure on them to get a result was a test of their credentials - a test they passed with flying colours.
As they have been in many games this season they were a distant second in the possession stats, but were once again effective with their fast and direct attacking.
Wood had gone into this game having failed to score in the Premier League since mid-February but ended his drought with a typical finish, flicking his header over Guglielmo Vicario.
Forest don't often have many chances but they are clinical with the ones they get, with their two goals coming from their three shots on target.
It is an effective playing style and has them firmly on course to seal a return to European football.
'We've let ourselves down' - Postecoglou frustrated after loss against Forest
By contrast, Tottenham had plenty of chances but failed to make the most of them as they did not find their spark until it was too late.
With Ange Postecoglou's side sitting 16th in the Premier League, their focus is firmly on winning the Europa League and it perhaps showed with this display.
They were pretty flat throughout this match and it took until Richarlison forced an excellent save out of Sels with a fierce 80th-minute header for them to come alive.
Only Liverpool and Arsenal have stronger defences than Forest this season and although Richarlison did manage to halve the deficit with three minutes to go, the visitors did not look like conceding a late equaliser before boos greeted the final whistle from the home fans.
If Tottenham can claim European glory this term it would cover for what has been a hugely disappointing campaign domestically, with this their 18th league defeat - only the bottom three sides have lost more.
It is also the most defeats Spurs have suffered in a league campaign since losing 19 in 2003-04.
After the opportunity to rate players has closed, the score displayed represents the average from all the submissions by BBC Sport users.
| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 33 | 24 | 7 | 2 | 75 | 31 | 44 | 79 |
| |
| 33 | 18 | 12 | 3 | 61 | 27 | 34 | 66 |
| |
| 33 | 18 | 6 | 9 | 53 | 39 | 14 | 60 |
| |
| 33 | 18 | 5 | 10 | 62 | 44 | 18 | 59 |
| |
| 33 | 17 | 7 | 9 | 64 | 42 | 22 | 58 |
| |
| 33 | 16 | 9 | 8 | 58 | 40 | 18 | 57 |
| |
| 33 | 16 | 9 | 8 | 53 | 47 | 6 | 57 |
| |
| 33 | 13 | 10 | 10 | 52 | 40 | 12 | 49 |
| |
| 33 | 13 | 9 | 11 | 48 | 45 | 3 | 48 |
| |
| 33 | 12 | 12 | 9 | 53 | 53 | 0 | 48 |
| |
| 33 | 13 | 7 | 13 | 56 | 50 | 6 | 46 |
| |
| 33 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 41 | 45 | -4 | 44 |
| |
| 33 | 8 | 14 | 11 | 34 | 40 | -6 | 38 |
| |
| 33 | 10 | 8 | 15 | 38 | 46 | -8 | 38 |
| |
| 33 | 11 | 5 | 17 | 48 | 61 | -13 | 38 |
| |
| 33 | 11 | 4 | 18 | 61 | 51 | 10 | 37 |
| |
| 33 | 9 | 9 | 15 | 37 | 55 | -18 | 36 |
| |
| 33 | 4 | 9 | 20 | 33 | 71 | -38 | 21 |
| |
| 33 | 4 | 6 | 23 | 27 | 73 | -46 | 18 |
| |
| 33 | 2 | 5 | 26 | 24 | 78 | -54 | 11 |
|
Manager: Ange Postecoglou
Formation: 4 - 3 - 3
Manager: Nuno Espírito Santo
Formation: 4 - 2 - 2 - 2
Manager: Ange Postecoglou
Formation: 4 - 3 - 3
Manager: Nuno Espírito Santo
Formation: 4 - 2 - 2 - 2
Premier League
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Tottenham have won each of their last three home league games against Nottingham Forest, having won just one of their previous 11 against them prior (D2 L8).
Nottingham Forest’s 1-0 win in the reverse fixture ended a six-game losing streak against Spurs in the Premier League. They last did the league double over them in the 1996-97 campaign.
Spurs have lost their last two Premier League games played on Easter Monday, with both of these defeats coming at home – 1-2 vs Manchester United in 2006 and 1-2 vs Norwich in 2012.
Nottingham Forest have lost just two of their last 35 league games played on Easter Monday (W21 D12), while in the top-flight they’re unbeaten in 16 (W13 D3) since a 1-0 loss at Chelsea in 1966.
Tottenham Hotspur have lost 17 Premier League matches in 2024-25, their most in one season since the 2003-04 campaign (19). Manager Ange Postecoglou is one of three Spurs bosses to lose 17+ games in a season, along with Osvaldo Ardiles in 1993-94 (19) and Gerry Francis in 1996-97 (18).
Nottingham Forest have lost each of their last two Premier League matches, having won three in a row beforehand. Only once under Nuno Espirito Santo have they suffered three defeats in a row, doing so in February and March last season.
Since Tottenham hammered Manchester City 4-0 on 23 November, only Ipswich Town (13), Leicester City (8) and Southampton (6) have picked up fewer points than Spurs (18), who have lost 12 out of 20 games since beating the reigning champions (W5 D3).
Tottenham Hotspur have lost 16 of their last 20 Premier League matches against teams starting the day in the top half of the table (W3 D1) and have lost eight out of nine (D1) since winning 4-0 against 2nd place Man City in November.
19-year-old Mathys Tel has scored in each of his last two Premier League appearances for Tottenham Hotspur. No teenager has ever scored in three in a row for Spurs, while only three non-English teenagers have done so overall – Robbie Keane in January 2000 for Coventry, Nicolas Anelka twice during 1998-99 for Arsenal and Romelu Lukaku in March 2013 for West Brom.
Jota Silva has scored in each of his last two away Premier League games for Nottingham Forest, both as a substitute; all three of his goals in the competition have been off the bench, scoring those from 13 shots, while in five games as a starter he’s had eight shots without finding the net.
