Spurs back in top four with thumping win
With two second-half goals Tottenham Hotspur sealed a 3-1 win over Nottingham Forest to move into position to qualify for next season’s Champions League football. With some tough matches ahead it was vital for them to gain maximum points against teams in the lower half of the table.
Spurs manager Ange Postecoglou praised Micky Van de Ven for his excellent goal which put Spurs ahead 2-1 in the second half, said: “With Micky, it’s just his sheer desire to be the best he can be. He’s got so many great qualities. People talk about his speed but he’s strong and he’s getting better and better on the ball.”
He added: “I couldn’t care less about being fourth (in league table). Everyone has been banging on about us getting fourth now but it doesn’t stop, we’ll keep going. What I care about is the way the team are progressing. I am pleased with this.
“The match had a little bit of everything. We lost our way towards the end of the first half but had a super reaction after that. In the whole second half we were very dominant. We played good football, scored some good goals against a team who are desperate for points. We’re in good shape to finish the season strong.”
Spurs were a goal up 15 minutes after the start when Forest defender Murillo put the ball into his own net. Timo Werner had crossed from the left and Murillo, in the middle in attempting to clear the ball diverted it past his goalkeeper. Five minutes earlier he had nearly scored for Forest when he spotted Spurs goalkeeper well outside the box but his long shot went just wide.
Forest didn’t take long to draw level. Anthony Elanga’s cross came from the right and Chris Wood was quick to go past Pedro Porro to put his shot into the net for his fourth goal in four consecutive games. He was unlucky shortly after that when his shot hit the post after the Spurs goalkeeper had made a save pushing out a shot from Ryan Yates.
Tottenham lifted their game after the break and within seven minutes of the restart they were in the lead again. Van de Ven received a short pass from Heungmin Son on the edge of the box and his left-footed powerful shot found the top corner of the net.
Thereafter, it took just six minutes for the London side to add their third goal. James Maddison’s cross was headed on by Rodrigo Bentancur into the path of Porro whose left-footed volley flew into the right top corner of the goal.
Forest manager, Nuno Espirito Santo, was unhappy that James Maddison had not been sent off towards the end of the first half for his punch on Ryan Yates. He said: “It is a red card. I’m surprised VAR didn’t tell Simon Hooper (referee) to review it because honestly Maddison losses his composure and it’s a punch in the stomach of Yates. It was off the ball and this kind of moment can change the game.”