Nottingham Forest continued their remarkable run in the Premier League, claiming a 2-1 victory over Tottenham Hotspur to reclaim third place in the standings. The win marked a significant achievement for Forest, extending their unbeaten streak to 17 consecutive Easter Monday games in the top-flight (W14, D3). Meanwhile, Tottenham’s struggles at home continued, leaving them with more questions than answers as they faced another disappointing defeat.
Early Dominance from Forest
From the outset, Nottingham Forest showcased their attacking prowess, putting Tottenham on the back foot from the first whistle. Despite Spurs’ recent success in reaching the UEFA Europa League semi-finals, they failed to carry that momentum into the Premier League.
The visitors made the breakthrough after just 12 minutes. Morgan Gibbs-White unleashed a powerful shot that was parried away by Spurs goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario. The ball fell to Anthony Elanga, whose corner found Elliot Anderson. Anderson fired from range, and his shot deflected off Rodrigo Bentancur, wrong-footing Vicario and sending the ball into the net for an own goal. Forest were 1-0 up and looked dangerous going forward.
A fine strike from Elliot Anderson to give us the lead. pic.twitter.com/ofgSAqdA8p
— Nottingham Forest (@NFFC) April 21, 2025
Just minutes later, Forest doubled their lead. Anderson, showing impressive vision and technique, sent a superb ball over the top to Chris Wood, who had a clear run at goal. Wood initially had his strike ruled offside by VAR, but the decision was quickly overturned. The New Zealand striker leapt high to meet Elanga’s cross and headed home, putting Forest in control with a 2-0 lead.
Again. ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/g9P9PLQmyy
— Nottingham Forest (@NFFC) April 21, 2025
Tottenham’s Missed Opportunities
Tottenham were on the back foot, but they did have chances to claw their way back into the game. Mathys Tel and Richarlison both had opportunities before the break. Tel was through on goal but sliced wide, while Richarlison’s header from a corner was off target. Spurs’ struggles in front of goal were evident as they failed to capitalize on these golden chances.
Their defensive woes also contributed to their downfall. In the second half, Spurs made two changes to their backline, bringing on Ben Davies and Kevin Danso to replace Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero. However, despite fresh legs, the momentum remained with Forest, who continued to press for a third goal.
Forest Control the Game
Although Spurs were attempting to regroup, Nottingham Forest remained in the driver’s seat. Gibbs-White came close to sealing the game after an excellent flick-on from Wood sent him through on goal. However, the attacking midfielder fired wide under pressure, keeping the game alive for Tottenham.
Nottingham showed their resolve as they kept Spurs at bay, with Harry Toffolo making an incredible clearance in the 70th minute. Spurs’ Dejan Kulusevski saw his header glance toward the back post, but Toffolo produced an acrobatic mid-air clearance to prevent what seemed like an inevitable goal.
Late Spurs Response Not Enough
Tottenham’s late efforts finally paid off in the 86th minute when Richarlison rose to meet a cross from Pedro Porro and headed the ball past Forest goalkeeper Niki Sels. It was a well-taken goal, but by that point, it was too little, too late for Spurs. The match ended with Forest holding onto their lead, securing a 2-1 victory.
Forest’s Solid Performance and Historic Significance
For Nottingham Forest, this win is a significant one. They not only reclaimed third place in the Premier League but also kept their hopes of qualifying for European competitions alive. With a team that has shown resilience, Nottingham’s chances of competing with the best in Europe remain strong as they continue to exceed expectations.
This victory also carries historical importance. It comes exactly 30 years after Nottingham Forest’s famous bronze medal finish in the Premier League under Frank Clark, a season that remains a proud moment in the club’s storied history.
Tottenham’s Continued Struggles
Meanwhile, Tottenham Hotspur have now suffered a staggering 17 losses in their last 21 league games against teams starting the day in the top half of the table. This defeat marks another low point for Spurs, who are now all but guaranteed to finish in the bottom half of the Premier League for the first time since 2007/08.
The loss raises further questions about the team’s performances and their ability to compete with the top sides in the league. Despite their Europa League run, Spurs have failed to show consistency in the Premier League, which has led to growing frustration among fans and pundits.
Key Match Stats:
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Nottingham Forest claimed a 2-1 victory against Tottenham Hotspur.
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Chris Wood scored the second goal for Forest after earlier having a goal ruled offside.
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Elliot Anderson’s shot deflected off Rodrigo Bentancur, putting Forest ahead 1-0.
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Tottenham Hotspur failed to capitalize on chances, with Mathys Tel and Richarlison missing key opportunities.
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Richarlison scored a late header for Spurs, but it wasn’t enough to prevent defeat.
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Forest reclaimed third place in the Premier League with this victory.
Looking Ahead
Nottingham Forest continue their impressive season, and their victory over Spurs has solidified their place in the upper echelons of the Premier League. With European football now within reach, Forest will look to maintain their momentum for the remainder of the season.
For Tottenham Hotspur, it’s back to the drawing board. With questions surrounding their squad and future, Spurs will need to regroup quickly if they are to salvage anything from this disappointing campaign.
As both teams look ahead, the stakes are high, and every point will matter as Nottingham target European qualification, while Tottenham will need to find a way to bounce back from their difficult season.
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