Nottingham Forest dealt a major blow to Tottenham Hotspur’s dwindling Premier League campaign with a 2-1 victory on Monday night, bolstering their Champions League hopes and piling pressure on Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou.
Forest entered the clash at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium following back-to-back defeats against Aston Villa and Everton, but responded emphatically with early strikes from Elliot Anderson and Chris Wood. Despite a late surge from Spurs, capped by Richarlison’s 87th-minute header, Nuno Espirito Santo’s men held firm to leapfrog into third place in the standings.
The result tightens the race for European qualification, with just three points separating Forest from seventh-placed Villa. With five matches remaining, the battle for the top five—and a Champions League berth—intensifies behind leaders Liverpool and second-placed Arsenal.
Forest struck first in the fifth minute when Anderson’s deflected shot found the net following a corner. Wood thought he had doubled the lead minutes later, only for VAR to rule his effort offside. The New Zealander made amends in the 16th minute, heading home Anthony Elanga’s cross for his 14th goal of the season.
Although Spurs dominated possession and created more chances, their efforts lacked precision. Forest nearly extended their lead early in the second half when Morgan Gibbs-White missed the target after a clever assist from Wood.
The visitors’ resilience was highlighted by a stunning goalline clearance from Harry Toffolo, who acrobatically denied Dejan Kulusevski’s header. Matz Sels also made a crucial fingertip save to deny Richarlison late on, before the Brazilian finally pulled one back with a powerful header three minutes from time.
Forest, who haven’t featured in the top tier of European football since the 1980/81 season, are now within striking distance of a historic return.
For Spurs, the defeat marks their 18th loss in a turbulent league campaign. They sit just two places above the relegation zone, casting doubt over Postecoglou’s future. However, the North London club still have hope of salvaging their season, with a Europa League semi-final clash against Bodo/Glimt offering a potential route into next season’s Champions League.
Meanwhile, fifth-placed Manchester City will host Aston Villa on Tuesday in another pivotal fixture in the race for European places.
