Anthony Elanga scored the only goal as Nottingham Forest secured victory at home to Tottenham Hotspur on Boxing Day.
Nuno Espirito Santo came back to haunt his former side with his current team now climbing into third place in the Premier League thanks to Elanga’s first-half opener, which capped off their regular threat on the counter.
Meanwhile, Tottenham’s misery following their 6-3 defeat to Liverpool last weekend was only compounded with this trip to the East Midlands, as Ange Postecoglou’s men continue to dwell in the bottom half of the table after another lacklustre outing.
Brennan Johnson, who was given a hostile reception on his return to the City Ground, went closest for the visitors but saw his well-struck effort saved by the diving Matz Sels.
Heung-Min Son tangles with Ola Ain
Tottenham started the game well – with Dejan Kulusevski and Heung-Min Son looking lively – but came out flat after the restart and little changed for the rest of the game.
It was another afternoon to forget for Postecoglou and his team, as he watched on from the sidelines with his head in his hands following Djed Spence’s late red card against his former team.
Whereas for Forest, it was another day to celebrate. It is now four wins on the bounce and they are showing no signs of slowing down.
Elanga: We exploited how Tottenham play
Nottingham Forest forward Anthony Elanga speaking to Amazon:
“Teams can have the ball as much as they want but it’s about who wins the game.
“The manager is always able to adjust and we have done that brilliantly.
“There was space in behind. There was loads of space in the game, that is how Tottenham play – with the high line.”
Man mountain Murillo
Sky Sports‘ Patrick Rowe:
Forest secured all three points and the clean sheet to go alongside it against Tottenham – but they could not have done it without Murillo.
As Postecoglou rightly pointed out, his side possessed a threat in the final third but ultimately could not capitalise on it. And that is because of Forest’s man mountain at the back.
His final figures came in at nine clearances, three blocked shots, three tackles and five duels won.
When there was space, he would close it. When there was a ball to be won, there was no contest.
The home crowd serenaded him throughout the entirety of the game. He is a fan favourite and it is clear to see why, the partnership forming with Nikola Milenkovic is the foundation that this historic season for the club is being built upon.
Nuno: Our defence is special
Nottingham Forest boss Nuno Espirito Santo:
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Nuno Espirito Santo says being third in the league isn’t significant but says his Nottingham Forest team believe they can compete with the big teams
“It was a good performance. We spoke before about quality in this Spurs team. They score a lot of goals and the way we started was nice and brave.
“We got out well and in the second half we started better. In the final moments it was about defending and belief. The commitment of the players to avoid danger was good. The centre of defence is huge for us. It is really special.”
Postecoglou: Disappointing loss again
Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou:
“Disappointing but it was a tight game. We had chances to get something. Disappointing goal but aside from that, the boys worked hard.
“We created some good ones and were not able to capitalise. Keeper pulled off some good saves to keep them in the game.”
Bad to worse for Tottenham
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Ange Postecoglou wasn’t in the press room long after Tottenham’s 1-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest and said they’re asking a lot of from this group of players
Sky Sports’ Patrick Rowe
“It was his ankle and he said he could not continue. We will have to see,” said Postecoglou after Radu Dragusin was forced off in the loss to Forest.
After the short injury update and outlining how “disappointing” it was to walk away from the City Ground empty handed, Postecoglou was nowhere to be seen in the press room.
It took just 150 seconds for the Tottenham boss to exit the building and it was clear to see he was not keen on answering many questions.
An injury to the only recognised centre-back left in the match-day squad, a red card for Spence who had shown promise across the last three outings and his side still dwelling in the bottom half.
The situation for Tottenham is growing bleaker by the day and the upcoming fixture against Wolves, which is just three days away, feels like a must-win game.
