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Chris Wood celebrates scoring what proved to be the game’s winning goal - Getty Images/Sebastian Frej
One of these clubs will have thoroughly deserved to qualify for the Champions League if they get there. The other might argue they would have earned it, but they do not belong anywhere near Europe’s so-called elite.
While Nottingham Forest announced they are going nowhere in the Champions League race by climbing back up to third, Tottenham Hotspur slipped to an 18th Premier League defeat that shows just how ludicrous it will be if they somehow qualify through the back door by winning the Europa League.
Nobody should begrudge Ange Postecoglou a trophy if Tottenham can go all the way in Europe’s B-list event. They made Forest sweat with a late Richarlison goal and had 22 shots to Forest’s four. But the London club are 16th in the table and are part of the bottom five – rather than the top five, who will deservedly qualify for the Champions League.
One more loss in the League will equal the most defeats Spurs have ever suffered in a Premier League season, with the outright record of 20 looking well within reach with five games left to play.
Nobody can argue that Forest striker Chris Wood does not deserve a shot at Champions League football, having netted his 19th League goal of the season after Elliot Anderson – one of the signings of last summer – had opened the scoring.
Other than ending a run of two successive defeats and underlining their Champions League qualification credentials, Forest’s victory set them up for Sunday’s FA Cup semi-final against Manchester City and was another boost for head coach Nuno Espírito Santo against his former club.
Nuno was sacked by Tottenham after just four months in charge, with the team in eighth place in the table and having lost five of seven League games. His style was not popular with Spurs fans and yet none of them could argue with the substance he has produced at Forest.
Asked if rubbing salt in Spurs’s wounds had provided any extra satisfaction, Nuno replied: “Maybe you don’t know me enough. I was honoured to be managing Tottenham, a huge club. I wish them all the best.”
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Nuno Espírito Santo’s Forest team punished Tottenham’s defensive slackness - Getty Images/Mark Leech
On his current team and their ability to remain in the Champions League race despite constant doubts over their staying power, Nuno said: “First, we have to realise we are in a fight nobody expected, us included. It’s normal but we don’t want to prove nobody wrong. We have a big desire to compete. We like to compete.
“It’s a big week, we are going to Wembley to face a big team. As long as we compete well, you never know.”
The visiting supporters could not have wished for a better start as Forest scored three times in the opening 16 minutes, although one of the goals was ruled out following a VAR check.
Morgan Gibbs-White had Forest’s first shot of the night that was tipped behind by Guglielmo Vicario and it was from the resulting corner that Nuno’s team opened the scoring in the fourth minute.
Anthony Elanga’s delivery was headed out by Pedro Porro and Anderson lashed back in a shot that deflected off Rodrigo Bentancur and past Vicario. Wood thought he had doubled Forest’s lead six minutes later, but VAR showed he had been offside before converting Anderson’s cross.
Tottenham had started terribly and it was from a dreadful Cristian Romero challenge, which should have earned a yellow card, that Forest did extend their lead. The home side slept as the free-kick was played out to Elanga and Wood, completely unmarked, beat Vicario to his inswinging cross. Postecoglou could only shake his head as Nuno and his staff celebrated wildly.
Postecoglou made five changes from the side that beat Eintracht Frankfurt in last week’s Europa League quarter-finals and hearts and minds appeared to be elsewhere during the opening half-an-hour.
It also seems some Tottenham fans have now prioritised the Europa League, as there were a number of empty seats in the home areas of the club’s stadium. Unsurprisingly, all the noise came from the packed away end and there were barely any home supporters left to boo at the final whistle.
“They’re disappointed and probably angry like we are,” said Postecoglou. “They’re clearly not happy with our results, but neither am I and neither are players. From our perspective, we have to accept responsibility. We’ve fallen short of the standards we need.”
Tottenham’s best chance of the first half was presented to them by Neco Williams in the 40th minute, but Mathys Tel’s finish was woeful. Richarlison twice headed wide when he should have done better and Tottenham were deservedly booed off at the break.
Gibbs-White missed a chance to put the result beyond doubt 10 minutes into the second half. The entire stadium expected the net to bulge when he was played in by Wood, but the midfielder failed to hit the target.
Harry Toffolo made his first league start of the season for Forest and the full-back made a superb goal-line clearance to stop Dejan Kulusevski giving Spurs some hope. The Swede’s header was heading in, but Toffolo acrobatically hooked the ball off the line. Everybody is making a contribution for Nuno’s men.
Sels then made a great save from Richarlison before Postecoglou sent on former Forest forward Brennan Johnson and Dominic Solanke and finished the game with four strikers on the pitch.
Kevin Danso shot wide from 20 yards and Sels produced another excellent stop to deny Richarlison before being beaten by the Brazilian’s late header. But Forest expertly held on and offered further encouragement they are going to see this wonderful season out.
10:42 PM BST
Thanks for joining us
That brings our coverage of Nottingham Forest’s 2-1 victory over Tottenham Hotspur to an end. Nuno Espirito Santo’s men return to third in the Premier League as the race for Champions League football continues to heat up. Thanks for joining us!
10:41 PM BST
Defeat was ‘self-inflicted’, says Postecoglou
Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou to BBC Match of the Day: “It’s disappointing . Another disappointing loss. A loss that for large parts was self-inflicted. We conceded two poor goals and gave ourselves a a mountain to climb. I still think we didn’t deserve to lose on the balance of play.
“Our football was good, there’s no denying that. We created loads of opportunities, we had them pegged in. But like I said it was really disappointing to concede the two goals like we did.
“It’s hurt us all year, we’ve let ourselves down. It’s a game we should have won tonight and it’s another one this year. There shouldn’t have been slow start.
“From our perspective there was some good game time for the guys that needed it. We were able to rest a few that will help us.
“That’s the frustrating bit, it’s not the only time it’s happened this year. We have to accept the fact we haven’t been at the level we should be. I don’t like losing, we’ve lost too many games. We’ve got to keep working and try and rectify these things so the football we play gets the results it deserves.”
10:37 PM BST
The race for Champions League football
10:34 PM BST
‘We want to give everything to finish there in the top five’, says Sels
More from Nottingham Forest goalkeeper Matz Sels speaking to Sky Sports: “With 66 points you are normally quite sure to finish in the top five but this season it might be a little bit more because all the teams around us keep winning. There’s five games to go and we know what we need to do.
“We will see where we can end up but we already played an amazing season. We can be proud of what we did up until now but we want to give everything to finish there in the top five.”
“I did well in the last years in France but maybe the people here in England do not follow that league. The last deadline day was not easy to stay here with Forest but the Gaffer had a plan and he created something really good.
“Even last year when I came here it was almost the same team, so already we had a lot of quality. In the Premier League there are no easy games. We started the season well and the victory at Liverpool gave us a lot of confidence and the belief came bit by bit.”
10:32 PM BST
‘It was important to bounce back’, says Sels
Nottingham Forest goalkeeper Matz Sels speaking to Sky Sports: “We knew that after the two losses in the last two games it was important to bounce back. And we are really happy with the three points today and to be back where we have been the whole season.
“Tottenham are a strong team that out you under a lot of pressure and we knew that they would play a lot down the sides, so the coach changed tactics at half time to try to not let the crosses come in any more. But you saw the statistics. It was not easy for us but we defended well and did not give a lot of chances away.
“When the coach brought in Morato at half time we knew that we would defend quite a lot in the second half because our speed was away with Elanga. The gaffer did well to bring in Callum [Hudson-odoi] and we tried to create on the counter. We did not create a lot but we defended well.”
10:28 PM BST
Full time scenes
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Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson celebrates - PA/John Walton
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Morgan Gibbs-White of Nottingham Forest after his side’s victory - Getty Images /Harry Murphy
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Fans of Nottingham Forest celebrate after the team’s victory - Getty Images/Justin Setterfield
10:23 PM BST
‘We’ve got to keep believing’ says Anderson
Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson speaking to Sky Sports: “The result was massive for us. It was a huge game to come into to try to get three points. The lads dug in and we showed what we are about and we’re buzzing.
On whether he was surprised at the fast start, he said: “Yes a little bit to be fair. We started brightly and we got two chances and were clinical.
“We are hard to beat, that is what we built our foundations on. Strong at the back and we have good attackers. We just need to be hard to beat.
“They were causing us quite a lot of problems in the first half and we went to a back five [at half time] and that helped us deal with them a little bit. Mats was terrific again today, so I’m buzzing for him.
“We really needed that after two defeats. We have come back and bounced back so it is huge for us. We’ve got to keep believing until the last game. We will be pushing.”
10:19 PM BST
Nottingham Forest’s remaining Premier League fixtures
1 May: Brentford (H)
5 May: Crystal Palace (A)
11 May: Leicester City (H)
18 May: West Ham United (A)
25 May: Chelsea (H)
10:17 PM BST
‘That win feels big for Nottingham Forest’, says Carragher
Speaking on Sky Sports, Jamie Carragher said: “That win feels big for Nottingham Forest.
“They have been a revelation this season and for most neutrals they will want them to keep going rather than peter away.
“There was a fear going into tonight that could well be the case.
“It is not just about the points or where it the win puts them in the table but psychologically it is big.
“With the defeats in the last few weeks and opposition in and around them smelling blood, and other teams, Man City, Aston Villa and Newcastle have been finding form, that is a big result.”
10:13 PM BST
Elanga continues to provide
No player has provided more assists in the Premier League in 2025 than Anthony Elanga with the winger setting up six goals since the turn of the year.
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Nottingham Forest’s Chris Wood celebrates scoring their second goal with Anthony Elanga - Reuters/Andrew Couldridge
10:11 PM BST
Tottenham’s tactics
Tottenham had 51 crosses this evening. They scored with their 48th in the 87th minute.
10:05 PM BST
Full time stats
The full-time statistics tell a familiar story for Forest this season.
Possession: 70% - 30%
xG: 2.14 - 0.64
Shots: 22 - 4
Shots on target: 6 - 3
Scoreline: 1 - 2
10:02 PM BST
Tottenham remain in 16th
As for Tottenham, they remain in 16th after a club record eighth Premier League home defeat this season.
They are a point behind Everton, Manchester United and Wolverhampton Wanderers but are only a point ahead of West Ham United in 17th.
10:00 PM BST
Forest climb back up to third
Forest return to third in the Premier League with their victory this evening, a point ahead of Newcastle, two points ahead of Manchester City and three ahead of Chelsea and Aston Villa.
Enzo Maresca’s side slip into sixth and are out of the Champions League spots once again.
09:57 PM BST
Full time: Tottenham Hotspur 1 Nottingham Forest 2
Forest manage to run down the rest of stoppage time with a series of free-kicks in the corner and they hang on to a crucial three points in north London!
09:56 PM BST
90+5 mins: Tottenham Hotspur 1 Nottingham Forest 2
The ball lands with Tel at the back post but Williams makes the block before finding Awoniyi down the right flank. The striker loses out though and Spurs can come back for one last attack.
09:55 PM BST
90+4 mins: Tottenham Hotspur 1 Nottingham Forest 2
There will be one last substitution from Nuno as Sosa comes on for Gibbs-White, who once again has got through his fair share of defensive work.
Toffolo catches Johnson late and is the latest Forest player to go into the book. Tottenham will have the chance to load the box for this one.
09:53 PM BST
90+2 mins: Tottenham Hotspur 1 Nottingham Forest 2
Richarlison gives away the foul as the cross comes into the box before Milenkovic goes down with cramp to just eat away a few more seconds.
Sels then goes into the book for taking his time over the free-kick.
09:51 PM BST
90+1 mins: Tottenham Hotspur 1 Nottingham Forest 2
Yates drags Bergvall to the ground to stop the counter and goes into the book.
Tel picks it up on Tottenham’s left and cuts in once again but his effort is blocked by the diving header from Milenkovic before Davies blazes over.
There will be five more minutes added on for Tottenham to find that equaliser.
09:49 PM BST
GOAL! Richarlison gets Tottenham back in it
Tottenham Hotspur 1 Nottingham Forest 2 (Richarlison) That has been the combination which has looked most likely for Spurs and it finally pays off!
Porro swings in another superb cross from the right and Richarlison rises highest to direct a powerful header into the bottom left corner.
Can they get another in the closing stages?
09:46 PM BST
86 mins: Tottenham Hotspur 0 Nottingham Forest 2
The ball lands with Spence on the edge of the box but he squirms his left-footed half-volley well wide of the left post.
Awoniyi does superbly to hold the ball up and free Hudson-Odoi down the left but the striker loses out as the ball is returned back inside to him on the edge of the area.
09:45 PM BST
84 mins: Tottenham Hotspur 0 Nottingham Forest 2
Spurs win another corner down their right and it’s another good delivery but Richarlison gets barely any contact on his headed effort.
Forest are really under it now and with the ball going out for a throw-in, Murillo takes the opportunity to go down and give his side a breather.
09:43 PM BST
82 mins: Tottenham Hotspur 0 Nottingham Forest 2
What a save from Sels! Porro produces another pin-point cross into the box from the right and Richarlison directs a header towards the bottom left corner but the Forest keeper is down superbly to turn it away.
Moments later and Johnson delivers a wicked cross from out wide, forcing Williams to turn it over his own bar. He didn’t look comfortable dealing with it but managed to squirm it over.
09:40 PM BST
80 mins: Tottenham Hotspur 0 Nottingham Forest 2
Tottenham are pushing and probing with Forest sitting deep but there is no way through for now.
Hudson-Odoi nicks it and does superbly to drive his side 40 yards up the pitch but his final pass looking to free Gibbs-White down their right is intercepted.
09:36 PM BST
76 mins: Tottenham Hotspur 0 Nottingham Forest 2
Since Forest’s second goal in the 16th minute, they have had just one shot. That won’t concern Nuno though as long as they remain solid defensively.
The fourth change coming from the Forest boss now as the scorer of that second goal Wood makes way for the returning Awoniyi.
09:34 PM BST
73 mins: Tottenham Hotspur 0 Nottingham Forest 2
Spurs win another corner, down their right this time, and it’s really dangerous ball into the box but no one attacks it and Forest can clear.
Danso then picks it up, slightly to the right of centre and drives inside towards the edge of the box before letting fly but his left-footed effort is dragged wide of the right post.
09:32 PM BST
71 mins: Tottenham Hotspur 0 Nottingham Forest 2
A couple of changes from Postecoglou now as Solanke and Johnson come on, with Kulusevski and Odobert making way. You feel Solanke would have made better use of all the crosses coming into the box so far for Spurs.
Wood pinches it high up but is fairly isolated so decides he will have to alone. He attempts to knock it past Davies but the defender times his tackle well to put it out for a throw-in. That race would have been less pacey than the one between Elanga and Van de Ven in the first half. No less intriguing though!
09:28 PM BST
67 mins: Tottenham Hotspur 0 Nottingham Forest 2
Gibbs-White goes into the book for a late challenge as the ball just ran away from him. He is not happy but it was probably the correct call.
Forest shoot themselves in the foot as Williams’ clearance pings straight off Yates and plays Richarlison in on goal but Sels is out quickly and spreads himself well to deny Richarlison, looking to hook home.
09:26 PM BST
64 mins: Tottenham Hotspur 0 Nottingham Forest 2
What a clearance that is from Toffolo! The hosts win the corner down their right and Porro sends in a pacey cross towards the near post.
Kulusevski wins the flick on and the header looks set to bury in the far corner but Toffolo produces a sensational, acrobatic clearance on the line to preserve Forest’s clean sheet.
09:24 PM BST
62 mins: Tottenham Hotspur 0 Nottingham Forest 2
Davies chips a ball into the chest of Sarr inside the Forest area but the visitors manage to usher him away. The midfielder has been Spurs’ biggest threat in this second half, though, making run after run into the box.
09:20 PM BST
58 mins: Tottenham Hotspur 0 Nottingham Forest 2
A couple more changes now from Nuno as Dominguez and Danilo are replaced by Yates and Hudson-Odoi. Perhaps Gibbs-White will drop slightly deeper with Hudson-Odoi offering a bit of pace in behind on the break.
09:16 PM BST
55 mins: Tottenham Hotspur 0 Nottingham Forest 2
Porro fizzes a ball into the box and Sarr goes for the audacious scorpion kick with the ball slightly behind him but it glances well wide.
Forest nearly snatch a third as Gibbs-White wins the flick on from the long kick forward before Wood returns the favour with a hooked volley in behind but the midfielder lashes wide of the left post with the half-volley on his weaker left foot.
09:13 PM BST
52 mins: Tottenham Hotspur 0 Nottingham Forest 2
We’re hearing that VAR is not currently in operation due to a fire alarm at Stockley Park! As I say that, news comes in that they’re back in action. What a relief.
Danso pings a ball into the feet of Sarr, just inside the box. He takes a tidy first touch towards goal but Milenkovic holds him off and the ball runs through to Sels. Sarr felt he was having his shirt tugged but play is waved on.
09:09 PM BST
48 mins: Tottenham Hotspur 0 Nottingham Forest 2
Tel goes on a marauding run down Tottenham’s left but is tackled just as he made it into the box. He retrieves the ball though and wins the foul as he is shoved to the floor by Murillo.
It’s Tel to send the free-kick into the box but Sels can parry away at the back stick.
09:07 PM BST
46 mins: Tottenham Hotspur 0 Nottingham Forest 2
We are back underway in north London with the hosts kicking the second half off going from left to right.
Postecoglou has made a couple of changes at the break, bringing off Van de Ven and Romero in place of Davies and Danso. That feels like a Europa-League minded change rather than being unhappy with his central defenders.
Meanwhile for Forest, Elanga has made way with Morato coming in. That may indicate a switch to a back-five.
09:01 PM BST
Odds stacked against Spurs
Tottenham last won a Premier League game when trailing by two or more goals at half time in November 2010.
08:59 PM BST
‘That just sums Tottenham up under this manager’ - Carragher on first goal
Discussing the first Forest goal on Sky Sports, Jamie Carragher said: “Tottenham shoot themselves in the foot again.
“As soon as Pedro Porro gets the first touch on the cross Dejan Kulusevski is already off running and thinking about a counter attack.
“You can’t think that. The edge of the box is where the danger is. Do your job first and then think about going forward.
“That just sums Tottenham up under this manager.”
08:57 PM BST
Half-time stats
Possession: 67% - 33%
xG: 1.23 - 0.33
Shots: 10 - 3
Shots on target: 2 - 3
08:50 PM BST
Half-time: Tottenham Hotspur 0 Nottingham Forest 2
Following three minutes of added time, boos ring around the stadium as the half-time whistle blows with Forest two goals to the good.
The visitors have had about one third of possession and have managed just three shots but they have the two-goal advantage.
Spurs grew into the half, with Richarlison having a couple of good headed chances late on but they are yet to find a breakthrough.
08:47 PM BST
45 mins: Tottenham Hotspur 0 Nottingham Forest 2
Romero does now go into the book for another reckless challenge on Anderson. How he doesn’t end the season with 20 yellow cards is baffling.
Richarlison has yet another chance as the cross comes in towards the back post, from the left this time, but his header goes wide of the bottom left corner.
08:45 PM BST
42 mins: Tottenham Hotspur 0 Nottingham Forest 2
Spurs are really pushing for a goal in these last moments of the first half. Odobert has it down their right and shifts the ball onto his right foot before delivering an excellent ball towards the back post.
Sarr is waiting to nod home from close range but Richarlison perhaps doesn’t realise his team-mate is there and looks to get his head on it instead. He is stretching to make contact and can only glance wide.
08:42 PM BST
40 mins: Tottenham Hotspur 0 Nottingham Forest 2
Romero plays a really incisive pass into the feet of Sarr who has found a pocket of space on the edge of the box but his ball around the corner to Kulusevski is far too lofty and Forest can pounce on his first touch.
Moments later and Porro delivers a ball into the box from the right. For some reason Williams opts to head it with the ball virtually on the ground as it reached him meaning he fails to clear but Tel lashes his left-footed effort wide of the near post.
08:39 PM BST
38 mins: Tottenham Hotspur 0 Nottingham Forest 2
Dominguez pinches it well, high up the pitch and slides Elanga into the right channel but Romero is across sharply and puts in a robust sliding challenge to snuff out the danger.
Tottenham deliver a succession of crosses into the box from the right but Forest cope and eventually win the free-kick as Richarlison is penalised for a high boot.
08:36 PM BST
34 mins: Tottenham Hotspur 0 Nottingham Forest 2
Johnson and Maddison are having a giggle as they warm up on the touchline. Maybe not quite the right look with their team 2-0 down.
Spence takes a positive first touch to burst towards the byline but Milenkovic is well-positioned to head the left back’s cross away.
08:32 PM BST
31 mins: Tottenham Hotspur 0 Nottingham Forest 2
Murillo sends a long ball over the top towards Elanga but Van de Ven shows a great turn of pace to cover round and win the free-kick. That would be a great race between those two.
Odobert picks the ball up out wide on the right and drives towards the box before flashing a low ball across the face of goal but no one can poke it home for Spurs.
08:29 PM BST
28 mins: Tottenham Hotspur 0 Nottingham Forest 2
This has been a classic Forest performance so far - 30% possession and three shots but they are 2-0 up. As it stands they are heading back up to third.
Spurs are probing around the Forest box but the visitors pinch it back and Anderson shows some nice footwork to win the foul under pressure. That kind of contribution is massive.
08:26 PM BST
24 mins: Tottenham Hotspur 0 Nottingham Forest 2
Porro swings a cross towards the back post and while Tel does well to rise and connect, his header loops over the bar.
Spence looks like he has the beating of Williams down Spurs’ left as he drives towards the box but the Forest full-back, rather unconventionally, dives in and makes a crucial tackle.
08:23 PM BST
21 mins: Tottenham Hotspur 0 Nottingham Forest 2
Odobert doesn’t quite wrap his foot around his cross from the right but so much so that is almost creeps in the top left corner. Sels was certainly concerned.
A couple of moments later and the Spurs winger has the room to strike from the edge of the area and Sels is taking no chances as he parries the low effort round the post.
08:20 PM BST
GOAL! Wood doubles Forest’s lead moments after disallowed strike
Tottenham Hotspur 0 Nottingham Forest 2 (Wood) Wood does now have his goal and it’s well-worked from the visitors!
Murillo slides Elanga into the left channel from the free-kick on halfway. He cuts back onto his right foot and delivers a sensational ball into the box.
Vicario comes out to punch clear but gets nowhere near it as Wood rises highest to flick a header home into the bottom right corner of Spurs’ vacant goal.
08:17 PM BST
16 mins: Tottenham Hotspur 0 Nottingham Forest 1
With Forest breaking, Anderson takes the ball on the half turn and Romero takes the opportunity to clear the midfielder out, getting nowhere the ball. He somehow avoids the booking.
08:16 PM BST
15 mins: Tottenham Hotspur 0 Nottingham Forest 1
Tottenham win the corner down their right as Porro’s strike is blocked behind but Tel’s half-volley at the back post is also blocked following the set-piece.
As Porro was taking aim in the first move, Richarlison went down under the attention of Milenkovic. Nothing was given but as mentioned earlier, it’s definitely a duel to keep an eye on.
08:14 PM BST
Disallowed goal! Wood denied by VAR
Tottenham Hotspur 0 Nottingham Forest 1 Forest think they have doubled their lead as Anderson delivers a sublime inswinging cross into the box, behind the Spurs back line, and Wood is able to guide a volley into the bottom right corner.
However, there is a VAR check with hints of offside and replays show the striker was leaning slightly beyond the Spurs defensive line. It wasn’t by much!
08:10 PM BST
9 mins: Tottenham Hotspur 0 Nottingham Forest 1
That early goal suits Forest’s game plan to a tee. They can now sit in as Spurs look to hit back, ready to spring on the counter.
Elanga picks the ball up in the left of the box and looks he might bundle his way through a number of Spurs challenges but he eventually has it pinched.
08:08 PM BST
GOAL! Anderson opens scoring with deflected strike
Tottenham Hotspur 0 Nottingham Forest 1 (Anderson) Elanga’s corner from the right is headed clear by Porro at the near post but it runs through to Anderson on the edge of the box and his low volleyed effort takes a hefty deflection off Vicario and pings up off the turf, over the diving Vicario.
For the 24th time this season, Forest have taken the lead. Only Newcastle have overturned a deficit against Nuno’s men this campaign.
08:06 PM BST
4 mins: Tottenham Hotspur 0 Nottingham Forest 0
A ball is pinged into the feet of Gibbs-White and he takes a sublime first-touch before taking aim from the edge of the box but his low drive is parried behind for a corner by Vicario.
08:05 PM BST
3 mins: Tottenham Hotspur 0 Nottingham Forest 0
Milenkovic and Richarlison are already getting physical in their early duels. That could be a match-up to keep an eye on.
It’s looking like Forest are deploying a 4-2-2-2 shape with Elanga joining Woods up front.
08:04 PM BST
2 mins: Tottenham Hotspur 0 Nottingham Forest 0
The hosts start brightly, winning it back before breaking down their left. Tel cuts inside and despite losing out initially, he wins it back and looks to take aim but his curled effort is blocked.
Sarr retrieves the loose ball and curls a ball into the area but Milenkovic is there to head clear.
08:01 PM BST
1 min: Tottenham Hotspur 0 Nottingham Forest 0
After a last-minute change of boots from Romero, we are underway at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium with Forest and Dominguez kicking things off going from left to right.
07:57 PM BST
Kick-off approaching
We are less than five minutes away from kick-off at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium as the players emerge from the tunnel.
Will Forest climb back to third or will Spurs take the chance to rise from 16th to 13th? The action begins shortly.
07:54 PM BST
Spurs ‘the most entertaining team to watch’, says Carragher
Speaking on Sky Sports, Jamie Carragher said: “I feel like when you watch Tottenham under Ange Postecoglou, it’s high risk, high reward. That is the aim of it.
“That is why they are the most entertaining team to watch.”
07:52 PM BST
‘We earned the right to be in this fight’, says Nuno
Nottingham Forest boss Nuno Espirito Santo speaking to Sky Sports: “The time on the training ground has been good. It has allowed us to recover properly and prepare the players well for this game.
“We need to play better [than against Everton]. We know it is going to be tough but we need to be more solid and play better football. We have to give credit to our previous opponent, it is true we did not find the flow of the game. I hope that today we can do it, I am positive.
“If you just look at the team sheet and squad of Tottenham there is talent all over the place. We have to focus on ourselves and compete.
“The mindset is responsibility. We earned the right to be in this fight [for Europe] and now we have to be responsible and give everything and try until the last.”
07:49 PM BST
‘Europa League doesn’t mean we dismiss our league form’
Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou speaking to Sky Sports: “The Europa League is a great opportunity for us. There is no hiding from that. It is an opportunity to win a trophy at a club that hasn’t won one for quite a while. It is a major trophy and the best preparation for that is to make sure that we maintain our form.
“It doesn’t mean that we have to dismiss our league form. We still have an opportunity to address that to a certain extent. We have had some challenges this year but we still have five or six games to go and we want to perform at a level.
“We have the squad now. We want to try to maintain some consistency in performances but we can make changes, that can sometimes be disruptive.”
07:46 PM BST
Spurs’ struggle against top teams
Tottenham have lost 16 of their last 20 Premier League matches against teams starting the day in the top half of the table.
07:44 PM BST
Forest suffer dip but things are getting easier
Forest are looking to avoid losing three matches on the spin for just the second time under Nuno.
However, their only remaining league fixture against a current top-half side is against Chelsea on the final day of the season.
07:39 PM BST
Spurs’ disappointing campaign
Tottenham have endured a torrid campaign in the Premier League this season, sitting 16th in the division coming into tonight.
Their tally of 17 league defeats is only lower than the three promoted sides and is their highest since losing 19 in 2003-04.
Ange Postecoglou is one of just three Spurs managers to lose at least 17 league games in a campaign.
07:36 PM BST
Final preparations
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Tottenham’s players warming up - PA/John Walton
07:34 PM BST
Head-to-head
Nottingham Forest’s 1-0 victory in the reverse fixture in December ended a six-game losing run against Spurs in the Premier League.
They are looking to do the league double over them for the first time since the 1996-97 campaign.
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Nottingham Forest’s Anthony Elanga scores against Tottenham - Reuters/Andrew Boyers
07:31 PM BST
Leeds and Burnley promoted
Leeds United and Burnley have been promoted to the Premier League following Burnley’s 2-1 victory over Sheffield United.
After Leeds’ 6-0 thrashing of Stoke City earlier today, the result at Turfmoor ensures the pair can’t be caught while Sheffield United will have to navigate the play-offs.
07:28 PM BST
As things stand in race for top five
Following the rest of this weekend’s Premier League action, Nottingham Forest find themselves down in sixth heading into tonight.
They are two points behind Newcastle in third, a point behind Manchester City and level on points with Chelsea and Aston Villa, sat between the pair on goal difference.
07:24 PM BST
Nuno on recent defeats and race for top five
With Nottingham Forest losing their last two games while the teams around them having picked up wins, manager Nuno Espirito Santo said: “The blow is we were not able to perform as well as we wish, especially in the last game. That was the blow.
“In regards to the other teams, nothing has changed since the last weeks. It is in our hands and we cannot control them. Now it is about reacting and improving.”
On embracing expectations, he said: “The expectation around us started the moment we were able to perform and get results. We are delighted, we embrace the challenge. We’re not stepping back, we’re stepping in. We want to try to get it.
“It’s going to be very hard but, believe me, we are putting everything in this final stage of the season.”
07:20 PM BST
Forest slip up against Everton
After three league wins on the spin, Nottingham Forest have now lost their last two, with a disappointing 1-0 defeat at home to Everton last time out.
Nuno’s men struggled to create throughout and with the game heading for a goalless draw, Murillo’s mistake allowed Everton to break and score a 94th-minute winner through Abdoulaye Doucoure.
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Everton’s Abdoulaye Doucoure scores the winning goal against Nottingham Forest - Getty Images /Andrew Kearns
07:16 PM BST
Spurs in the building
07:14 PM BST
Postecoglou on Frankfurt win and rotation
Discussing Thursday’s Europa League win, Spurs manager Ange Postecoglou said: “Fair bit of joy in the dressing room after.
“Obviously we had to pack up and get going pretty quickly. It’s important you enjoy those moments when they come along.”
Postecoglou has made five changes for tonight’s clash. Discussing potential changes on Saturday, he said: “It’s fair to say it’s been challenging, but I think part of that challenge is the rotation in the team.
“It’s going to be similar on Monday night. We’re going to have to make five or six changes to the team because we want to make sure everyone is in the right space.”
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Ange Postecoglou, Manager of Tottenham Hotspur, celebrates victory - Getty Images /Alex Grimm
07:09 PM BST
Tottenham through to Europa League semi-finals
Spurs have reached the Europa League semi-finals following an impressive 1-0 victory away at Frankfurt on Thursday, thanks to Dominic Solanke’s first-half penalty.
Postecoglou’s side won 2-1 on aggregate following a 1-1 draw in north London a week earlier.
They will now face Bodo/Glimt in the last four as they look to end a disappointing season on a high.
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Dominic Solanke scored the only goal of the game in Frankfurt - AP/Martin Meissner
07:05 PM BST
Injury news
Kevin Danso, Dejan Kulusevski and Richarlison have all returned to the Spurs squad after recent injuries and the latter two start while the defender makes the bench.
James Maddison was forced off with a knock in Frankfurt but does make the bench while Son Heung Min remains out with a foot issue.
Taiwo Awoniyi has been suffering with a hamstring injury of late but is fit enough for the Forest bench this evening.
Ola Aina, meanwhile, has been ruled out in recent weeks with a calf injury and doesn’t make the squad after being assessed.
07:00 PM BST
Those line-ups in full
Tottenham Hotspur: Vicario; Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Spence; Sarr, Bentancur, Kulusevski; Odobert, Richarlison, Tel.
Subs: Bissouma, Danso, Davies, Solanke, Gray, Kinsky, Maddison, Bergvall, Johnson.
Nottingham Forest: Sels; Williams, Milenkovic, Murillo, Toffolo; Dominguez, Danilo, Anderson; Elanga, Woods, Gibbs-White.
Subs: Abbott, Moreno, Miguel, Morato, Sangare, Sosa, Yates, Hudson-Odoi, Awoniyi.
06:55 PM BST
Nuno makes three changes
There are three changes to the Forest team that were beaten by Everton last weekend as Nuno brings in Toffolo, Danilo and Elanga for Moreno, Silva and Hudson-Odoi.
06:50 PM BST
Five changes for Spurs
Ange Postecoglou makes five changes to the Spurs side that started in the 1-0 win away at Frankfurt on Thursday as Spence, Sarr, Kulusevski, Odobert and Richarlison come in for Udogie, Bergvall, Maddison, Johnson and Solanke.
Monday night Spurs
@krakenfxpic.twitter.com/xJ1Q3vU7B9
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) April 21, 2025
06:45 PM BST
Preview: Forest target third as Ange plans to rotate
Good evening and welcome to live coverage of Tottenham Hotspur vs Nottingham Forest from the Premier League as Nuno Espirito Santo’s side look to respond in the incredibly tight race for Champions League football next season.
Following victories this weekend for Manchester City and Chelsea, Forest have slipped to sixth ahead of tonight’s clash, a place outside of the Champions League spots, while Aston Villa’s demolition of Newcastle United has seen them go level on points with Nuno’s men.
However, Newcastle’s slip-up at Villa Park means victory tonight for the visitors would see them climb up to third ahead of Eddie Howe’s side, with just five games to go.
Despite this, Forest will be disappointed to have let things become this congested, given they were in third and held a seven-point cushion over sixth place at the start of April before successive defeats against Villa and Everton allowed their rivals to reel them in.
As for Tottenham, their focus for the remainder of the season remains almost solely on Europa League success following their 2-1 aggregate victory over Frankfurt in the quarter-finals, with an impressive 1-0 win away from home on Thursday clinching the tie.
Despite having 10 days to wait for their semi-final first leg against Bodo/Glimt, Ange Postecoglou has already said he will make “five or six changes” to his team for this evening’s clash. With his side all the way down in 16th in the league but mathematically safe, it’s unsurprising to see the Australian prioritising European success.
Tottenham’s abysmal domestic campaign has been compounded in recent weeks by a particularly poor run of form in the league, picking up just one win in their last six games and that came against foot-of-the-table Southampton. Their tally of 17 league defeats this season is only surpassed by the bottom three sides.
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