tottenham victory at forest boosts top four hopes and goals
Ten-man Tottenham condemned Nottinghill Forest to a fifth Premier League defeat in six games as they underlined their top-four ambitions at the city ground.
Tottenham Hotspur reignited their top-four chase with a hard-fought 2-0 victory over Nottingham Forest on Friday night, courtesy of Dejan Kulusevski’s magic and Richarlison’s predatory instincts. Despite Yves Bissouma’s red card in the 70th minute, Ange Postecoglou’s men showed grit and resilience to secure the three points.
The win sees Spurs leapfrog into fifth place, level on points with Manchester City, albeit with a game in hand for the champions. Forest, on the other hand, remain precariously close to the relegation zone, having won just one of their last 13 league matches. This result will undoubtedly intensify the pressure on manager Steve Cooper.
While Forest started brightly and threatened on occasion, they lacked the composure and cutting edge Tottenham displayed in key moments. The visitors dominated much of the first half, though their rhythm was disrupted by Brennan Johnson’s injury-enforced withdrawal. Just before halftime, however, Richarlison rewarded their dominance with a clinical header from a sublime Kulusevski cross.
Forest started the second half with renewed purpose, and Willy Boly spurned a golden opportunity to equalize, skying a shot from inside the box. A glimmer of hope appeared for the home side when Anthony Elanga seemingly slotted home Neco Williams’ cross, only for the VAR to rule him marginally offside.
The game’s turning point arrived in the 65th minute. A woeful clearance from Forest goalkeeper Matt Turner landed straight at Kulusevski’s feet, and the Swede unleashed a powerful shot that left Turner rooted to the spot. This second goal effectively sealed Forest’s fate, leaving them with nothing but frustration in the closing stages.
Ultimately, it was Kulusevski’s brilliance and Richarlison’s opportunism that propelled Tottenham to victory. Forest, despite their spirited display, lacked the quality and composure needed to overcome a motivated Spurs side. As the pressure mounts on Steve Cooper, Tottenham will look to build on this momentum and push for a Champions League berth.
The performance of Tottenham’s goalie, Guglielme Vicario, showcased his exceptional reflexes as he made a remarkable save from Harry Toffolo’s close-range header. Additionally, a lack of coordination between Wlanga and the forest left-wing back resulted in a moment of miscommunication. These instances encapsulated a fruitless evening for the home team in their offensive endeavors.
Kulusevski Takes the Wheel as Spurs Cruise Past Forest
While Son Heung-min orchestrated Tottenham’s triumph over Newcastle the week before, Dejan Kulusevski was the engine driving them at the City Ground. The former Juventus star was a constant menace, showcasing his versatility by seamlessly switching to the right after Brennan Johnson’s unfortunate head injury.
Kulusevski’s inch-perfect, whipped-in cross for Richarlison’s opener left Dean Henderson helpless, gifting the Brazilian back-to-back goals for the first time in a Spurs shirt. And just as Forest threatened a comeback, Kulusevski’s performance deservedly culminated in a goal of his own, expertly evading Moussa Niakhate before rifling past Turner, extending Tottenham’s lead.
With Son due for Asian Cup duty in January, Kulusevski’s brilliance alongside Richarlison’s “goal-scoring force” (as described by manager Ange Postecoglou) couldn’t have come at a better time. “Dejan has been exceptional all season,” Postecoglou commended. “He started centrally today, threatened constantly, and seamlessly switched to the wing after Johnson’s exit, providing excellent deliveries.”
However, the red card for Yves Bissouma, his second reckless tackle this season, casts a shadow over the victory, earning him a four-match suspension.
The warm reception for Steve Cooper upon entering the pitch before kickoff was a testament to the unwavering support of the Forest faithful. The players’ commitment to their manager was also evident in their performance. However, with a home clash against Bournemouth looming on December 23rd, Cooper knows a win is crucial to retaining the confidence of owner Evangelos Marinakis.
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