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Igor Tudor’s position has been thrown back into doubt as recent signs of a revival have disintegrated - Alex Pantling/Getty Images
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Tottenham Hotspur are facing a crunch decision on the future of Igor Tudor as the club’s season lurched deeper into crisis with a humiliating defeat by Nottingham Forest.
Relegation appears a genuine possibility for Spurs after 13 Premier League matches without a win and Tudor’s position as head coach has been plunged back into doubt after recent signs of promise disintegrated.
Tudor did not undertake media duties following this latest defeat after being informed of a family bereavement. His assistant, Bruno Salter, insisted they feel the full support of the board.
Tottenham have already made contingency plans in the event of the Croatian’s departure, with former Monaco manager Adi Hutter understood to be a serious contender.
Hutter is out of work and available, with Tottenham now facing a major decision with seven games remaining. They are yet to win in the league in 2026 and head into the international break perched just one place above the dreaded dotted line.
All eyes will now be on chief executive Vinai Venkatesham, whose appointment of Tudor has proved such a bitter disappointment.
Tudor also made the bewildering decision to name £51m signing Xavi Simons among the substitutes, despite his impressive performance in Wednesday’s 3-2 victory against Atletico Madrid, the first win of his reign despite their aggregate loss. Simons was even named in the Champions League team of the week.
Tottenham do not return to league action for almost three weeks, with a trip to Sunderland on April 12.
Salter said: “We need to carry on because we care, we care for Spurs, we are family and want to get out of this situation.
“I am 100 per cent sure we can get through this situation. We all have the same goal: fight until the end of the season and stay in the Premier League.
“Of course, we feel the support of everybody at the club.”
Forest’s victory hoisted them above Tottenham in the table, with goals from Igor Jesus, Morgan Gibbs-White and Taiwo Awoniyi.
Forest will be boosted by the return of last season’s leading scorer Chris Wood after the international break. Wood has missed much of this season with a knee injury.
Only one of these teams looks like surviving and it is not Spurs
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Tottenham’s team bus arrived at the stadium before kick-off amid a buoyant atmosphere, with the mood resembling that of returning heroes after a famous cup win.
By the end of this latest humiliation, thousands of those supporters had departed for the streets. Make no mistake, Tottenham are in serious trouble and dropping into the Championship is a very real prospect.
Igor Tudor’s position as head coach appears increasingly precarious after just seven matches in charge and the warning lights are flashing in bright neon.
This had all the hallmarks of a team sliding into the Championship. In the first-half they were the better team but never capitalised on their moments, before collapsing as Forest punctured their weaknesses with ruthless efficiency.
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Tottenham’s players were dejected as they lost to Forest, despite being cheered into the stadium on their arrival (below) - riptionTottenham Hotspur's Richarlison appears dejected after their side concede a second goal during the Premier League match at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London. Picture date: Sunday March 22, 2026. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Bradley Collyer/PA Wire. RESTRICTIONS: EDITORIAL USE ONLY No use with unauthorised audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications.CreditBradley Collyer/PA
The wait before Tottenham’s next game, and a potential first league win of the calendar year, at Sunderland on April 12 promises to be excruciating.
Forest, in contrast, displayed all the necessary fight and spirit required to retain their place in the Premier League for next season.
While the Tottenham hierarchy weigh up making another managerial change, Forest will feel confident that the decision to appoint Vitor Pereira will ultimately pay off.
Forest have made three changes in the dug-out this season and though it has drawn much criticism, this was a huge win for Pereira who this week also secured a place in the Europa League quarter-finals.
Such technical area turbulence will be regarded as irrelevant if his club survives again.
They had the match’s outstanding performers, with giant Serbian centre-back Nikola Milenkovic producing a commanding display.
After such a chaotic season, Tottenham’s supporters will probably have expected Morgan Gibbs-White to not only play impressively but score one of the three goals.
The attacking midfielder was close to joining Tottenham last summer after they triggered his £60m release clause, before a mini-saga ended with him signing a new contract.
This was a perfect response from Gibbs-White to his exclusion from Thomas Tuchel’s latest England squad, with the World Cup looming this summer.
Pereira said: ‘He deserves the national team but it’s not my decision. I respect it but he has the quality and the character to be there.
“He is a fantastic player. He is a little bit sad and disappointed in this moment but these are the moments in our lives when we need to be stronger and come back to the fight.”
Forest have been in this situation before, experiencing three scraps against the drop in four seasons since their promotion in 2022.
Last season’s stirring campaign under Nuno Espirito Santo, with the team eventually finishing seventh, has been the outlier from the norm.
Could their previous dances with danger prove the difference in this year’s relegation scrap?
This is certainly a new experience for Tottenham. Despite their difficult season there was a clear sense of unity and it was not until the end that the atmosphere threatened to become remotely toxic.
There was also a pre-match video on the screens which included a rousing message from captain Cristian Romero who said “we’ll fight for everything, all together.”
Tottenham must now consider whether keeping Tudor in charge damages their chances of scrambling to safety.
After signs of encouragement against Liverpool and Atletico Madrid, they were the better team here in a scrappy first-half.
Mathys Tel was a frequent menace on the left and Tottenham were almost gifted a 16th minute lead when Forest’s forward Igor Jesus headed a huge Kevin Danso throw against his own post.
Yet it was Jesus who provided the pivotal moment on the stroke of half-time, forcing a save from Guglielmo Vicario with a hooked shot on the turn.
From the corner, the £16.5m signing from Botafogo was unmarked in the middle of a busy penalty area to nod Neco Williams’ delivery into the opposite corner.
Forest had more chances to increase their lead before Gibbs-White converted from close range in the 62nd minute.
Tottenham never looked capable of scoring, with Xavi Simons surprisingly benched by Tudor. It seemed a bizarre decision after his two goals in midweek against Atletico in the Champions League.
The £51m signing was finally introduced with 23 minutes left to play, but by then the game was beyond his team.
Taiwo Awoniyi, a substitute, added the third goal from another Williams cross to initiate the exits of home fans.
Pereira will take huge confidence from two wins in four days, and Forest’s season is proving an unpredictable rollercoaster.
There could be more good news on the horizon, with last season’s leading scorer Chris Wood close to returning from a long-term knee injury.
Wood was at Tottenham’s stadium in a show of support for his team-mates, after scoring in a under-21s match against Newcastle on Friday night.
The New Zealand international is expected to return for the Europa League quarter-final against Porto.
Pereira said: “We are alive, we are committed and we are ready to fight.
“It is good for the moment and good for the belief because we need to believe in ourselves. It is not about Tottenham, it is not about West Ham, it is not about Leeds it is about us. It is about what we want for next season.”
“It is not just about this game, it is about the next seven games and we need to have this personality.”
05:02pm
Thanks for joining us
That brings our coverage of Nottingham Forest’s crucial 3-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur to an end, with Vitor Pereria’s men leapfrogging the north London side, who are just one point and one place above the relegation zone.
You can follow our coverage of the League Cup final between Arsenal and Manchester City here, with things nicely poised at 0-0 after the opening half an hour at Wembley. Thanks for joining us!
05:00pm
‘Forest played with personality and organisation’, says Pereira
Nottingham Forest boss Vitor Pereira, speaking to BBC Match of the Day: “We started with a good level. But after 15-20 minutes, we started to lose a lot of possession, second balls and duels. We conceded a lot of set-pieces. We suffered until half-time.
“In the second half, I asked them to be themselves and play at our level. I asked them to play the same way we started the game and told them something will happen. And I am happy that they played with personality and organisation. It was an important win.
“I have a team that have the quality to play with the ball. But it’s difficult to play in our way if you lose the ball often. Tottenham were very aggressive in the duels. It was not our intention to defend but they pushed us. We had some luck till half-time.
“But it was a good time to score the opener. We studied our opponents during the set-pieces and we scored. Set-pieces and even throw-ins are very important at the moment as in football, in every situation, we can get a goal.
“After the [Europa League game] in Denmark, it was important to rest. I tried to balance the energy. The players who played against Midtjylland and today showed that they have the quality to face the next games.
“For me, it’s just three points. We got it. Next game, we have the chance to do it again. And we need to go there to get those points again. This will go on until the end of the season.”
04:58pm
Spurs now have ‘seven finals’ after ‘painful day’, says Romero
Tottenham captain Cristian Romero, speaking to Sky Sports: “The season is tough, especially in this moment. Another very bad [result] for us, another lose the game at home. The first thing is for the fans is thank you for today and every day as they stay with us.
“The situation is tough but most important thing is play like a final now. It is a bad season, obviously the first responsibility is with me.
“For me the first thing is when we play here with Atletico Madrid and fantastic game. The first half we were good but the second half we lost the confidence and lose the ball.
“It is painful, it is a sad day but the most important thing is go national team then come back here for the final seven finals.”
04:55pm
Watch: Gibbs-White lands blow against summer suitors
04:53pm
Forest dominance over Spurs
Spurs have been beaten 3-0 by Forest in both of their Premier League meetings this season, with Forest now extending their winning run over the north London outfit to four games.
04:51pm
‘It is painful, really painful’, says Spurs assistant Saltor
Tottenham coach Bruno Saltor, speaking to Sky Sports about why he has stepped in for Igor Tudor: “Personal matters, family matters and I am stepping in as it is not right time for him to speak.”
On the game, Saltor said: “Every mistake right now is going against us, every detail is going against us and it affects the players as well.
“You can see how much they are fighting. We are in a difficult situation, everyone knows. In the first half we were the better team and need to be consistent with that.
“We were 1-0 down and wanted to be a little more aggressive with players coming back from injuries. It didn’t work as planned but it was our intention.
“It hurts us, it is painful, really painful, but the fans were outstanding today - from before the game until the end of the game.
“We need to carry on because we care, we care for Spurs, we are family and want to get out of this situation.
“I am 100% sure we can get through this situation.”
04:48pm
Forest ‘alive, committed and ready to fight’, says Pereria
Pereira continued to Sky Sports: “Sometimes we create a lot of chances but don’t score. We have quality to score goals. We cannot create a monster in our minds because sometimes we create one chance and score a goal.
“It is good for the moment and good for the belief because we need to believe in ourselves. It is not about Tottenham, it is not about West Ham, it is not about Leeds it is about us. It is about what we want for next season.
“We are alive, we are committed and we are ready to fight.”
04:45pm
Pereira: We deserved to win
Nottingham Forest boss Vitor Pereira, speaking to Sky Sports:“It means the spirit of the team, the character and the personality. It was not easy.
“We started the game in a good way, after 15-20 minutes we started to lose some long balls - the first ball, the second ball. They cross a lot and they play aggressive on the duels.
“The first half was difficult but at half time I asked the team to play the way they started the game as that was our game.
“They showed their personality, character and quality and we deserved to win.
“They have the spirit to face this kind of game. It is not just about this game, it is about the next seven games and we need to have this personality.
“In the end I am very happy with the team and the supporters because they deserve it. They provided the energy we needed to get the three points.”
04:42pm
Unprecedented lows for Spurs
Tottenham have won just 30 points from 31 Premier League games this season, marking their joint-lowest return after 31 games of a league campaign, along with 1914-15, according to Opta.
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Tottenham have suffered yet another defeat in the league - Carlos Jasso/Getty Images
04:39pm
Anderson says win provides ‘huge boost of confidence’
Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson speaking to Sky Sports: “Away from home, it’s always tough playing in front of their fans. It was all about the fight and determination today. And to a man, everyone was amazing.
“Everyone worked hard and we scored three good goals. It’s just a huge boost of confidence for us. Going into the international break and with a little bit of rest to freshen things up and be ready for the next stretch.”
04:36pm
Gibbs-White says goal against Spurs ‘not written in stars’ despite summer interest
Morgan Gibbs-White on his goal: “I can’t say it was written in the stars. I am just doing my best to help this team. I have shown that since the first day of coming here.
“It’s not been clean sailing. But we all stick together - the manager, the owner, the fans and the players.
“I am delighted to be on the scoresheet but more importantly, it’s the three points won. Taking three points here and having a bit of time off now to get relaxed and get ready for the fixtures that is to come. I can’t wait for a few days off now.”
04:33pm
‘We defended with our lives’ – Gibbs-White on ‘huge result’
Nottingham Forest goalscorer Morgan Gibbs-White speaking to Sky Sports:“It’s absolutely a huge result. There was a lot of worry going into this game and about the outcome. But the boys were incredible.
“We defended with our lives today. We knew we needed to bring that fire, energy and commitment and the boys showed that in abundance today.
“I was delighted we got the three points because it creates some gap now. But we can’t just focus on that. We need to keep looking forward and keep focussing on the next game.”
04:28pm
What’s next?
Spurs now have to wait until 12 April to put things right, with their next game coming away at Sunderland after the international break.
Forest, meanwhile, will return to action with a trip to Porto in the Europa League quarter-finals on 9 April, before their battle for Premier League survival continues with a home game against Aston Villa three days later.
04:25pm
Tudor’s terrible tenure
Spurs have taken just one point from Igor Tudor’s five league games in charge. Could there be another change in the dugout in north London?
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Tottenham Hotspur interim manager Igor Tudor - Jaimi Joy/Reuters
04:22pm
Spurs’ torrid 2026 continues
Spurs’ wait for a Premier League win in 2026 continues, with the north London side failing to claim three points in any of their 13 top flight games since the turn of the year:
January
- Brentford 0-0 Spurs
- Spurs 1-1 Sunderland
- Bournemouth 3-2 Spurs
- Spurs 1-2 West Ham
- Burnley 2-2 Spurs
February
- Spurs 2-2 Man City
- Man Utd 2-0 Spurs
- Spurs 1-2 Newcastle
- Spurs 1-4 Arsenal
March
- Fulham 2-1 Spurs
- Spurs 1-3 Palace
- Liverpool 1-1 Spurs
- Spurs 0-3 Nottingham Forest
04:19pm
Watch: Awoniyi seals victory
04:17pm
Spurs drop to 17th
Victory for Forest has taken them two points above Spurs and into 16th place in the Premier League.
The north London side remain in an incredibly perilous position, just one point above the drop-zone.
04:15pm
Villa beat West Ham
Aston Villa’s 2-0 victory over West Ham this afternoon is good news for both teams in north London.
It is less good news for Manchester United, Liverpool and Chelsea who have all failed to win this weekend in the race for Champions League football.
04:13pm
Full time: Tottenham Hotspur 0 Nottingham Forest 3
The full-time whistle is blown, and not for the first time at Spurs this season, it is met with boos from the home support.
It’s a huge victory for Forest over one of their relegation rivals.
04:11pm
90+5 mins: Tottenham Hotspur 0 Nottingham Forest 3
Forest are seeing out the remaining minutes of this contest really well, with Spurs perhaps resigned to the fact they are extending their winless run in the league to 13 games.
04:09pm
90+2 mins: Tottenham Hotspur 0 Nottingham Forest 3
As five minutes of stoppage-time are announced, Forest make their final couple of changes, with McAtee and Dominguez coming on for Gibbs-White and Anderson.
04:07pm
90 mins: Tottenham Hotspur 0 Nottingham Forest 3
Spurs nearly get one back, with Solanke finding the target with his header from a corner, but Sels makes a smart stop and Kolo Muani fails to find the target on the rebound.
04:06pm
GOAL! Awoniyi tucks home to seal victory for Forest
Tottenham Hotspur 0 Nottingham Forest 3 (Awoniyi) It’s three for Forest and it’s a fabulous goal to secure the three points.
Williams is found on the visitors’ left and he cuts back onto his right foot before delivering an excellent ball towards the back post, where Awoniyi tucks home on the volley.
Boos ring around the stadium for the first time this afternoon as the home supporters head for the exit.
04:03pm
86 mins: Tottenham Hotspur 0 Nottingham Forest 2
The ball drops to Williams at least 30 yards out and he tries his luck with a speculative effort but it’s easy for Vicario. That would have taken something special from there.
Gibbs-White wins a foul in front of the Forest fans and he takes his time getting back to his feet, soaking in the adulation of the travelling support as Yates whips them up even more.
04:01pm
84 mins: Tottenham Hotspur 0 Nottingham Forest 2
Porro is found in behind the Forest defence and he forces a stop from Sels at the near post but the ball had just run out of play.
The final change from Tudor now, with Gallagher coming on for the closing stages in place of Gray.
03:59pm
83 mins: Tottenham Hotspur 0 Nottingham Forest 2
Udogie catches Ndoye and becomes the latest player to go into the book. Forest will take their time over this free-kick.
The visitors take the chance to load the box but Anderson goes short to Ndoye and it eventually comes to nothing.
03:58pm
81 mins: Tottenham Hotspur 0 Nottingham Forest 2
Another change from Pereira as Ndoye replaces Hutchinson, and Forest are doing well now just to slow things down.
The game has become very scrappy in the last few moments, which will suit the visitors just fine.
03:55pm
78 mins: Tottenham Hotspur 0 Nottingham Forest 2
That could have gone anywhere! The corner from the right finds Sarr on the edge of the area and his first-time volley takes a nick, wrong-footing Sels, but it goes just wide of the left post.
03:53pm
77 mins: Tottenham Hotspur 0 Nottingham Forest 2
Udogie whips a low ball into the area from Spurs’ left and Bergvall is arriving late but he is stretching slightly and his effort skews wide.
Moments later, and Gray skips past Williams, forcing Anderson to come across, and it goes behind for another Spurs corner.
03:52pm
74 mins: Tottenham Hotspur 0 Nottingham Forest 2
Spurs have Forest really deep in their own half but Anderson collects the ball on the half-turn and shows sublime technique to release Awoniyi into the left channel, forcing Vicario to sweep up and clearing for a throw-in.
It was just wonderful technique from the Englishman and has taken his side 60 yards up the pitch.
03:49pm
73 mins: Tottenham Hotspur 0 Nottingham Forest 2
Simons’ cross is a really poor one, sailing over everyone towards the Forest fans, who are really starting to enjoy themselves now.
In stark contrast, Spurs supporters look in disbelief, with some already making their way to the exits.
03:48pm
71 mins: Tottenham Hotspur 0 Nottingham Forest 2
Simons makes an immediate impact, driving towards the edge of the area and winning a free-kick for his side, but the set-piece comes to nothing, with Danso failing to keep it in play.
The first changes now for the visitors, with Hudson-Odoi and Jesus making way for Yates and Awoniyi. Yates’ introduction has seen Gibbs-White shift out towards the left.
03:46pm
69 mins: Tottenham Hotspur 0 Nottingham Forest 2
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Forest’s travelling fans reminding the home supporters over the failed move for Morgan Gibbs-White from last summer.
Tottenham triggered the £60m release clause for the England international to spark a legal row, which ended in Gibbs-White signing a new contract with Forest.
03:45pm
68 mins: Tottenham Hotspur 0 Nottingham Forest 2
The Spurs corner comes to nothing, but in better news for the north London side, Aston Villa have doubled their lead over West Ham.
It’s turning into the perfect afternoon for Forest.
03:44pm
67 mins: Tottenham Hotspur 0 Nottingham Forest 2
Porro sends a ball into the area as Spurs look to get back in this game but Milenkovic is there again to turn it behind for a corner.
Before the set-piece can be taken, Tel is requiring some treatment. The Frenchman does eventually make way, with Richarlison also withdrawn, and Simons and Kolo Muani come on.
03:40pm
GOAL! Gibbs-White doubles Forest’s lead
Tottenham Hotspur 0 Nottingham Forest 2 (Gibbs-White) It’s a huge goal in this season’s relegation battle!
Hudson-Odoi collects the ball down the visitors’ left and he bursts pass Porro to reach the byline before cutting the ball back.
The winger picks out Gibbs-White in space and his side-footed finish squirms past Vicario, who will feel he should have done better.
The home support are stunned.
03:38pm
60 mins: Tottenham Hotspur 0 Nottingham Forest 1
Romero makes a tackle in midfield and looks to take matters into his own hands, bundling past players down Spurs’ right, but he is eventually crowded and looks aghast when he doesn’t get a free-kick.
03:35pm
58 mins: Tottenham Hotspur 0 Nottingham Forest 1
Spurs deal with a Forest set piece into the area but the ball drops to Williams on the visitors’ left.
The full-back chops inside and delivers a wonderful inswinging cross to the back post but it is just out of reach of his team-mates.
03:34pm
57 mins: Tottenham Hotspur 0 Nottingham Forest 1
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Nikola Milenkovic has been outstanding for Forest so far today.
A commanding performance from the Serbian centre-back. He would probably like to be less busy, though.
03:33pm
56 mins: Tottenham Hotspur 0 Nottingham Forest 1
Bergvall is found high up down Spurs’ right and he flashes a dangerous ball across the face of goal but there is no one in a white shirt attacking it.
Moments later, Gray is found in space on the edge of the area but he takes a little too long getting his shot away and his curling effort is charged down.
03:31pm
54 mins: Tottenham Hotspur 0 Nottingham Forest 1
Spurs win a corner down their left but they give away a foul as the ball comes into the area and that kind of thing will only add to the sense of frustration inside the stadium.
Moments later, Sangare drags Romero back and he goes into the book, perhaps not helped by his three or four fouls in the opening period.
Porro’s set-piece delivery finds Romero but he is a fairly long way out and his header doesn’t cause Forest any problems.
03:28pm
50 mins: Tottenham Hotspur 0 Nottingham Forest 1
It’s been a fairly flat start to this second half, with Spurs knocking the ball around their defence and Forest happy to sit in.
Williams makes an interception, though, and he can spark a counter. The ball is worked to Anderson and he swings a sensational ball to the back post, picking out Williams who had carried on his run into the area, but his downward header is saved well by Vicario.
A big chance for the Welshman!
03:23pm
47 mins: Tottenham Hotspur 0 Nottingham Forest 1
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It has to be remembered that Nottingham Forest have been here before.
While they were the surprise package last season, that stirring campaign under Nuno Espirito Santo was an outlier with three of their four seasons back in the Premier League proving to be fights against relegation.
Could that experience of scrapping for points at the bottom prove an advantage over other teams such as Tottenham and West Ham who are perhaps not accustomed to it?
03:22pm
46 mins: Tottenham Hotspur 0 Nottingham Forest 1
We are back underway in north London, with Forest kicking the second half off, going from left to right as they look to defend their lead.
And Tudor is not hanging around, with the Croatian making a double-change at the break. Bergvall and Udogie have come on in place of Spence and Van de Ven.
Udogie for Van de Ven will be like-for-like at left-back, while Porro is likely to drop to right-back with Bergvall perhaps adding an extra body in central midfield.
03:18pm
Even half in terms of numbers
The stats paint an even picture, with Spurs having 52% of the ball and five shots, with one on target, while Forest have hit the target with all three of their efforts.
Despite this, and the visitors starting and finishing strongly, it felt as if it was Tudor’s side in the ascendancy for much of the opening period, particularly with the number of attacking set-pieces they had.
03:14pm
Watch: Jesus heads Forest in front
03:08pm
Big second half coming for Spurs
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Massive moment in the relegation battle, with Forest taking the lead at a crucial time.
Igor Jesus has struggled in recent weeks but that was a well-taken header to spark a mass exodus of Tottenham fans to the concourses.
Tottenham have responded with Mathys Tel striking the crossbar but a big second half is coming up for the home team.
Forest have been under pressure yet have defended fairly well.
03:07pm
Half-time: Tottenham Hotspur 0 Nottingham Forest 1
The VAR check is virtually the final action of the half and it’s the visitors who have the advantage at the break.
03:06pm
45+2 mins: Tottenham Hotspur 0 Nottingham Forest 1
Wow! It’s nearly the perfect response from Spurs and their best player in this opening period.
Tel collects the ball on the edge of the area and looks to curl one into the top right corner but Sels stretches out to tip the effort onto the bar.
The rebound looks to be dropping to Romero and there are big penalty appeals as Spurs claim that Williams pushed the defender in the back.
There is a VAR check but the onfield decision of no penalty stands.
03:03pm
GOAL! Jesus heads Forest ahead after Spurs pressure
Tottenham Hotspur 0 Nottingham Forest 1 (Jesus) It’s a sucker punch from Forest on the brink of half-time.
Williams swings the corner from the left to the back post, picking out Jesus and the striker nods home into the bottom left corner.
Spurs have been on top for much of the opening period but it looks like it will be the visitors leading at the break.
03:02pm
45 mins: Tottenham Hotspur 0 Nottingham Forest 0
Gibbs-White wins a corner down Forest’s left and the visitors are just managing to apply some late pressure in this opening period.
The set-piece is initially cleared but it’s nodded back into the area to Jesus, who goes for the acrobatic overhead kick and it requires Vicario to touch it over.
02:59pm
42 mins: Tottenham Hotspur 0 Nottingham Forest 0
Gibbs-White does well to drag his team up the pitch, driving through midfield and drawing the foul from Spence, just inside Spurs’ half.
Forest take the chance to load the box, but after initially working it short, Van de Ven heads clear from Anderson’s ball into the area.
02:57pm
41 mins: Tottenham Hotspur 0 Nottingham Forest 0
Spurs have really grown into this opening period, now the dominant team, and there just seems to be a confidence from the players that has been absent for so much of this season.
02:55pm
38 mins: Tottenham Hotspur 0 Nottingham Forest 0
Tel pulls off a fabulous flick to find Van de Ven and the home fans really enjoyed that one. The winger is full of confidence.
Spurs work the ball out to their right and it’s a good ball into the box from Porro but Milenkovic just gets there ahead of Richarlison, with the striker lining up a volley.
02:53pm
36 mins: Tottenham Hotspur 0 Nottingham Forest 0
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Tottenham now in the ascendancy and pressurising the Forest defence.
There is a buzz whenever Mathys Tel gets on the ball and Forest are conceding a lot of corners.
It was looking very cagey earlier on but now a football match is threatening to break out.
02:52pm
35 mins: Tottenham Hotspur 0 Nottingham Forest 0
Jesus awkwardly heads the corner behind for another one at the near post, but Forest clear the subsequent set-piece.
Just moments later, though, and the hosts win a corner down their right this time. This one is also headed away by a red shirt.
Spurs are piling on the pressure, though!
02:51pm
34 mins: Tottenham Hotspur 0 Nottingham Forest 0
Tel carries the ball down Spurs’ left before chopping back onto his right foot and swinging a teasing ball into the area but it’s just out of reach at Richarlison at the back stick.
The winger collects the ball once again moments later and he bursts pass Milenkovic to reach the byline, before showing some quick feet to win the corner from Aina. The Frenchman has had a really bright start to this game.
02:48pm
32 mins: Tottenham Hotspur 0 Nottingham Forest 0
Gray drives through midfield before feeding Porro to his right and the Spaniard wins a corner, with his cross blocked by Williams, using a sensitive part of his body by the looks of it.
Tel once again drills the set-piece to the back post and it finds Richarlison, who wins another corner as his ball back across goal is blocked. Forest deal with the second corner more comfortably.
02:46pm
29 mins: Tottenham Hotspur 0 Nottingham Forest 0
It’s another good opening for Spurs! Spence wins the ball back and drives inside before sliding Richarlison into the right of the area.
The striker flashes a low ball across the face of goal but Solanke can’t get on the end of it and the flag goes up anyway.
02:44pm
27 mins: Tottenham Hotspur 0 Nottingham Forest 0
Spurs are appealing for another penalty, with Aina once again at the heart of it.
Van de Ven looks to drive past the full-back and goes down as he cuts the ball back across goal, but again, nothing is given and it’s the correct call.
02:40pm
24 mins: Tottenham Hotspur 0 Nottingham Forest 0
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That was a very nervy moment for Ola Aina there.
The challenge on Pape Matar Sarr in the penalty area felt risky and unnecessary, but referee Michael Oliver was in a good position and very quick to dismiss claims for a penalty.
Still feels like a big escape for the Forest defender there.
02:40pm
23 mins: Tottenham Hotspur 0 Nottingham Forest 0
Gray stays out after that challenge on Sangare, which will be a worry to those of a Spurs persuasion, but is eventually back on his feet and okay to carry on.
02:39pm
22 mins: Tottenham Hotspur 0 Nottingham Forest 0
There are huge penalty appeals from Spurs against Aina! Sarr latches onto a loose ball in the left of the area and goes down as the Forest full-back sticks his toe on.
But the midfielder quickly gets back to his feet and the referee is clear in his decision of no penalty. It looks like the right call, with contract minimal at most.
The game comes to a pause as Gray collides with Sangare and boos whistle around the stadium, with the home fans feeling they deserved a spot-kick.
02:36pm
20 mins: Tottenham Hotspur 0 Nottingham Forest 0
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Archie Gray has been one of the rare positives in a difficult season for Tottenham.
The young midfielder sprayed an outstanding pass from the centre of the pitch to Mathys Tel on the left.
A huge talent.
02:35pm
19 mins: Tottenham Hotspur 0 Nottingham Forest 0
Forest respond well to the Spurs pressure with a break down their right and Hutchinson manages to cut inside before taking aim but his strike as straight down the throat of Vicario.
02:35pm
18 mins: Tottenham Hotspur 0 Nottingham Forest 0
It’s close again for Spurs! Danso launches a cross into the box from the right and Jesus can only flick a header back towards his own goal.
It looks to be landing on the head of Richarlison at the back post but it drops onto the woodwork, where the left post meets the bar, and Forest can clear.
02:33pm
16 mins: Tottenham Hotspur 0 Nottingham Forest 0
Spurs’ corner from the left is glanced away by a Forest head and out for another corner down their right.
Tel sends his delivery deep to the back post, picking out Richarlison, but the striker’s header, aimed back towards the right side of the goal, goes just wide of the target.
Elsewhere, Villa have gone ahead against West Ham, which will be good news for these two teams.
02:30pm
14 mins: Tottenham Hotspur 0 Nottingham Forest 0
Forest counter well after clearing Spurs’ corner but Hudson-Odoi’s final cross is slightly over-hit, sailing over Gibbs-White at the back post.
Spurs then carve out their first real opening of the game. Gray pings a wonderful pass out to Tel on the left flank and the winger manages to drive into the area, chopping past Aina, but his low shot on goal deflects wide for a corner.
02:27pm
11 mins: Tottenham Hotspur 0 Nottingham Forest 0
Spence pings a cross into the box from just inside the Forest half and Aina is forced to nod it behind for a corner, with Tel arriving behind him.
It’s a decent delivery from Tel, whipped with pace towards the near post, but Jesus rises highest to head clear.
02:25pm
9 mins: Tottenham Hotspur 0 Nottingham Forest 0
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Forest have started with purpose here, with midfielder Elliot Anderson at the heart of their best moments.
The first goal feels absolutely crucial for either team when you consider the amount of defeats both have suffered this season.
02:24pm
7 mins: Tottenham Hotspur 0 Nottingham Forest 0
Replays show Pereira during that previous Forest attack and it was a big case of the manager trying to head the cross home from the touchline.
It’s another good move from Forest, with Hudson-Odoi poking a ball through to Anderson in the left of the area. The midfielder goes down under the challenge of a couple of Spurs defenders as he looks to dribble towards goal but nothing is given, correctly.
02:21pm
4 mins: Tottenham Hotspur 0 Nottingham Forest 0
Forest dominate the ball for the opening couple of minutes but Gray intercepts a sloppy pass and can drive at the visitors’ back line.
The midfielder gets crowded out, though, and Forest break with pace down the other end. Gibbs-White swings a fabulous cross into the area and a superb header from Danso is required to stop it reaching Jesus.
02:18pm
2 mins: Tottenham Hotspur 0 Nottingham Forest 0
It’s looking like a 4-4-2 for Spurs, with Van de Ven at left-back, Spence on the right side of defence and Porro deployed at right midfield.
Richarlison and Solanke lead the line, with Tel operating on the left flank.
02:17pm
1 min: Tottenham Hotspur 0 Nottingham Forest 0
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Impossible to overstate how much of a positive, party atmosphere it is at Tottenham’s stadium today.
Remember, they haven’t won in the Premier League so far this year.
02:17pm
1 min: Tottenham Hotspur 0 Nottingham Forest 0
We are underway at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium with Spurs kicking things off, going from left to right in this opening period.
02:12pm
Kick-off approaching
We are less than five minutes away from kick-off in north London, with the players now gathering in the tunnel.
02:06pm
Spurs’ saviour?
Richarlison’s late winner against Liverpool last weekend was his ninth goal in the Premier League this season.
Despite starting less than half of their league games this season, he has scored more than twice as many goals as any other Spurs player.
02:02pm
Forest’s struggles in front of goal
Forest have failed to score in 14 Premier League games this season, while they have scored just 28 goals across the campaign.
Only Wolves are performing worse with both of these statistics this season.
Pereira’s side have failed to score in three of their last five league games, though the two they did score in were on the road.
01:58pm
Spurs’ winless start to the year
January
- Brentford 0-0 Spurs
- Spurs 1-1 Sunderland
- Bournemouth 3-2 Spurs
- Spurs 1-2 West Ham
- Burnley 2-2 Spurs
February
- Spurs 2-2 Man City
- Man Utd 2-0 Spurs
- Spurs 1-2 Newcastle
- Spurs 1-4 Arsenal
March
- Fulham 2-1 Spurs
- Spurs 1-3 Palace
- Liverpool 1-1 Spurs
01:54pm
Spurs’ torrid 2026
Tottenham Hotspur remain winless in 12 Premier League games (D5 L7). In their top-flight history, only from April to November 1912 (13) and from December 1934 to April 1935 (16) have they ever gone longer without winning.
Spurs are the only side without a Premier League win so far in 2026. Only three sides have had longer runs without a win from the start of a calendar year, all of whom were relegated (Sunderland, 17 in 2002-03; Derby, 18 in 2007-08; Middlesbrough, 14 in 2016-17).
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Tottenham players argue among themselves after conceding against Crystal Palace - Catherine Ivill /Getty Images
01:48pm
Have Spurs turned a corner?
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The big question is whether Tottenham Hotspur really have turned the corner.
After encouraging signs against Liverpool and Atletico Madrid, Spurs have eased the pressure on their manager Igor Tudor.
Can they follow those two performances with a win today? It would certainly give them a huge boost in the battle to avoid relegation.
01:45pm
‘It’s not Allan, it’s Arne’ - Tudor on Anfield mix-up
Igor Tudor has said it s “ridiculous” that people think he got a member of his coaching team mixed up with Arne Slot.
A clip of the Croatian addressing Spurs coach Allan Dixon on the Anfield touchline went viral last weekend, with many speculating that he thought it was the Liverpool boss.
The moment Igor Tudor confused Tottenham's bald-headed Player Liaison Officer, Allan Dixon, for Arne Slot on the touchline.pic.twitter.com/finiYRz0mghttps://t.co/PlAiGNsvAd
— Football Tweet (@Footballtweet) March 16, 2026
But Tudor said this week: “I don’t recognise the guy who I spend 10 hours with every day?! So I come out and don’t know he is? It was a little bit ridiculous.
“Now [on Wednesday] we did it on purpose to make a joke, because from now on I call him ‘Arne’. It’s not Allan, it’s Arne!”
He added: “What happened was my son, who is 20 years old, said in Croatia everyone is laughing with you because you did this mistake. I said, ‘what mistake?’ and I said to him, ‘you do know who the guy is?’.
“So I said, ‘it’s Allan Dixon, I’m spending all days together with him’, so I came out and he’s standing in front of my bench. So what other coach can be there in front of it? It’s my training zone.
“He was there, I came to him to make a joke. If you understand, I came from this side [Dixon’s right], I touched him and go to the other side.”
01:39pm
Spurs fans behind the team
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Tottenham’s players arrived to a loud reception from the home supporters outside the stadium.
Despite their issues this season, it feels that the fans are behind them for such a big game where the ramifications could be huge.
Igor Tudor has slightly dampened the mood by dropping Xavi Simons to the bench.
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A Tottenham Hotspur supporter sets off a flare as the team bus arrives - Alex Pantling/Getty Images
01:35pm
‘It’s going to be tough’ – Pereira on facing Spurs
Looking ahead to this afternoon’s game against Spurs, Forest boss Pereira said this week: “They’ve played the last two games with quality and spirit. It’s going to be a tough game for us and a tough game for them.”
The Portuguese wants his side to be “tactically intelligent, be compressed, defend well and when we have the ball, attack spaces and express individual qualities”.
He said that despite the game being away from home, the players “need” the fans “a lot”, because “in this moment, we need to be a family and fight as a family together”.
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Nottingham Forest’s head coach Vitor Pereira - Bo Amstrup/Shutterstock
01:29pm
Spurs say Marinakis is ‘very welcome’ at crunch clash despite legal threat
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Tottenham Hotspur will welcome Evangelos Marinakis into the club’s directors’ lounge if the Nottingham Forest owner attends Sunday’s Premier League relegation six-pointer.
Forest sent a threat of legal action to former Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy and considered a complaint to the Premier League after Spurs’ failed bid to sign Morgan Gibbs-White last summer.
Marinakis was enraged by an attempt to trigger a £60m release clause in Gibbs-White’s contract, with Forest convinced that Spurs breached certain levels of confidentiality.
Having seen off the bid, Forest convinced Gibbs-White to sign a new three-year contract and Marinakis announced that “at the end of the day, we always win”.
Despite the bitter fall-out over the Gibbs-White saga, a source close to the Spurs board told Telegraph Sport that Marinakis “would be very welcome” in the directors’ areas at Sunday’s game, adding there are “no issues whatsoever”.
01:26pm
Marinakis set for rare away appearance as Wood nears return
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It is understood that Evangelos Marinakis, the Forest owner, will be at Tottenham’s stadium today.
Marinakis rarely attends away games but his presence at this match against Tottenham highlights its importance.
Another piece of interesting news for Forest fans is the presence of Chris Wood, who is making his way back from a knee injury.
Wood was last season’s leading scorer and stepped up his recovery with an appearance for the B team against Newcastle on Friday night.
He is not in the squad today but has just been out on the pitch with his team-mates.
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Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis - Mike Egerton/PA
01:23pm
Strong Spurs support
01:21pm
‘Game will probably not decide anything’, says Tudor
Discussing the challenges Forest will pose this afternoon, Spurs boss Tudor said this week: “It’s a long game to play, a few games in the game. You need to be inside from the first to last second of the game, including five subs.
“So a big respect to them because they have players who can hurt us, but as well, going on our sides, going on with our things, with confidence, with courage, with humbleness, with all the stuff necessary to take the points.”
On the feeling of supporters ahead of such a big game, he said: “There’s a positivity but also an understanding the game will not be easy. It is an important game but will probably not decide anything. We need just to keep going with what we did last week.”
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Igor Tudor, interim manager of Tottenham Hotspur - Ryan Pierse/Getty Images
01:17pm
Mammoth encounter for both teams
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There is an argument for this being the biggest game of the Premier League season so far.
With Arsenal’s trip to Manchester City looming on April 19, this feels like a mammoth encounter that could prove pivotal for both clubs.
Chaos has underpinned the seasons of both Tottenham and Forest. Thomas Frank and Sean Dyche were the two managers for the meeting in December but have both since been sacked.
Vitor Pereira is Forest’s fourth manager this season, while Igor Tudor’s position at Tottenham is already in jeopardy.
Seven games will remain after today but this cannot possibly be downplayed.
01:12pm
Those line-ups in full
Tottenham Hotspur: Vicario; Porro, Danso, Romero, Van de Ven, Spence; Gray, Sarr; Richarlison, Solanke, Tel.
Subs: Kinsky, Simons, Gallagher, Bergvall, Dragusin, Palhinha, Kolo Muani, Souza, Udogie.
Nottingham Forest: Sels; Aina, Milenkovic, Murillo, Williams; Sangare, Anderson; Hutchinson, Gibbs-White, Hudson-Odoi; Jesus.
Subs: Ortega, Morato, Awoniyi, Ndoye, Dominguez, Yates, McAtee, Netz, Bakwa.
01:06pm
Nine changes for Forest – Hutchinson and Milenkovic keep places
Vitor Pereira makes nine changes to his Nottingham Forest team following their penalty-shootout win over Midtjylland on Thursday, with Hutchinson and Milenkovic the only players to keep their place.
The Portuguese reverts to a more familiar line-up with Gibbs-White and Anderson among those to return.
01:02pm
Tudor makes three changes – Solanke and Richarlison start
There are three changes to the Spurs side following their Champions League second leg against Atletico Madrid, with Tudor bringing in Danso, Solanke and Richarlison in place of Dragusin, Simons and Kolo Muani.
12:56pm
Four in a row for Forest?
Forest have won their last three Premier League meetings with Spurs by an aggregate scoreline of 6-1, having won the reverse fixture 3-0 in December.
Spurs’ last win over Forest came in April 2024, with a 3-1 victory on home soil.
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Nottingham Forest’s Ibrahim Sangare celebrates scoring against Spurs in December - Andrew Boyers/Reuters
12:52pm
Positive injury news for Spurs
Igor Tudor said this week that he thinks Dominic Solanke will be fit to face Forest: “Dom didn’t train [today] but probably tomorrow he will train with the team and I think he will be available. He had a hip problem but I think he will be OK.”
The Spurs boss added that James Maddison, who has missed the whole campaign with an ACL injury, could play this season. Tudor said: “Maddison is already doing some interesting things with the ball and sprinting, he is positive.”
Mohammed Kudus is progressing “very well” and could be back with the squad in “10 days”, while Rodrigo Bentancur is “edging closer” to a return.
Joao Palhinha returned to training following concussion protocols for his clash of heads with Cristian Romero in the first leg against Atletico Madrid.
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Dominic Solanke is expected to feature this afternoon - Justin Setterfield/Getty Images
12:45pm
Forest visit Spurs in relegation six-pointer
Good afternoon, and welcome to live coverage of Tottenham Hotspur vs Nottingham Forest in what is a huge clash in the battle for Premier League survival.
The north London side start the afternoon in 16th, just one place and one point above their opponents, who are level on points with West Ham United, the current occupants of the first spot in the relegation zone.
Led by former Forest boss Nuno Espirito Santo, West Ham make the trip to Aston Villa this afternoon, and with their match also kicking off at 14:15 GMT, Spurs and Forest know a defeat could leave them in the bottom three by full time.
Spiralling towards a previously unthinkable relegation, Spurs turned to Igor Tudor at the end of February. But the Croatian’s interim tenure could not have got off to a worse start, with four successive defeats in all competitions, which included Antonin Kinsky’s goalkeeping disaster in the Champions League last 16 first leg against Atletico Madrid.
However, Richarlison’s late goal salvaged a point at Anfield last weekend, and despite a 7-5 aggregate defeat, Spurs claimed an impressive 3-2 victory against Atletico in their second leg on Wednesday, bringing Tudor his first win since arriving in north London and a platform to build on for the season’s run-in.
Despite this, Spurs continue to wait for their first Premier League win of 2026, now without a victory in England’s top flight in 12 games since the turn of the year.
Forest, meanwhile, will also be looking to maintain some momentum from their European exploits in midweek, having beaten Midtjylland on penalties on Thursday following a 2-1 win on the night to reach the quarter-finals of the Europa League.
But, like Spurs, they are enduring a lengthy winless run in the league. Vitor Pereira’s side have not claimed three points in their last seven games, in a run dating back to the end of January.
With eight games left this season, victory for either side this afternoon will not only offer a marginal but welcome cushion above the bottom three, but a significant psychological upper hand ahead of a vital run-in.
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