From Tottenham Hotspur Stadium – Tottenham ended a three-game winless run with a comfortable victory over Nottingham Forest.
The pressure on Antonio Conte could be unbearable if his side fail to beat the Premier League’s worst team on the road, but Spurs bounced back from Champions League heartbreak on Wednesday to move six points clear of sixth-placed Liverpool. increased.
Forests throughout North London were poor and stood to avoid fighting against it.
Tottenham thought they had made the best possible start just two minutes into the game. Oliver Schipp played a perfectly weighted ball into the top of the defense between centre-back Felipe and left-back Renan Lodi, leaving the Brazilian with Richarlisson in the penalty area – his poor finishing from head coach Antonio Conte. The record was criticized. Weather – firing in the roof of the trap.
But with a VAR check that lasted almost as long as the game by that point, Richarlison’s shoulder was ruled offside and his first Premier League goal for Spurs was disallowed.
Spurs legitimately took the lead midway through the first half. Richarlison’s chipped ball from inside the box was saved by Ben Davies, who bent it back to cross for Pedro Porro, who delicately found Harry Kane to head in the opener.
Soon after, the hosts were awarded a penalty when Joe Worrall brought down Richarlison, and Kane headed straight down the middle from the spot to double the lead.
A deflected shot from Jonjo Shelvey was played well into stoppage time as a weakened Forest went into the break two goals down.
Steve Cooper threw on Andre Ayew and Emmanuel Denis at half-time to try and help stem the tide, but they almost conceded a third goal, with Son Heung-min slipping in Richarlison, only for Lodi to score. Blocked his shot from close range. Range
At the other end, Felipe headed over the top after meeting a high free-kick and Brennan Johnson pounced into the grateful grasp of Fraser Forster as Forest showed some slight signs of life.
But just as the visitors thought they were fighting back, Spurs added their third. Porro and Cristian Romero combined well on the counter to work the ball towards Richarlson, and at the second time of asking, heard a deep cross, who controlled well and slotted home with his weaker left foot.
Former Spurs defender Serge Aurier went close to a consolation, his powerful header well saved by Forster.
Dennis fired a low strike at the near post for Forrester who was level again soon after with the imposing goalkeeper, before a Ben Davies header was once again covered by Keylor Navas with Richarlison.
Worrall nodded one in under ten minutes, a cross from a corner deflected off his head and bounced in after Forster missed an early delivery.
Substitute Dejan Klosevski somehow failed to get his first goal since January when he shifted from the right and was denied by Navas’ leg, and the Swede conceded a penalty deep into stoppage time for a handball.
Yew took the ball but saw his effort saved by Forster as Spurs sealed the points.
What a trio / Kathryn Ivel / Getty Images
GK: Fraser Forster – 7/10 – Didn’t have much to do, but distributed the ball well when called upon and made saves.
CB: Cristian Romero – 8/10 – He was much calmer today than on Wednesday night. Spurs defend very confidently when they are in control.
CB: Eric Dier – 7/10 – Largely fine and organized the backline, although Lingard and Ayew made him look silly on a few occasions.
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CB: Clement Lenglet – 6/10 – At will in midfield and down the wing.
RM: Pedro Porro – 8/10 – Technically excellent and a constant threat in possession. He had a hand in all three goals.
CM: Oliver Skipp – 7/10 – Faced challenges and showed his presence in the midfield battle. Played some excellent crossfield passes.
CM: Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg – 6/10 – An almost identical game to his midfield partner but at a slightly lower standard.
LM: Ben Davies – 6/10 – Didn’t offer much on the ball but extended the play and had a big hand in the early goal.
RF: Richarlison – 9/10 – Conte wanted a response from his Brazilian number nine and he certainly got one. So cruelly denied a first Premier League goal but otherwise the protagonist of a joyous day for Tottenham.
LF: Son Heung-min – 8/10 – A massive off-ball presence, former team-mate Aurier trailed and eventually found Richterlison.
CF: Harry Kane – 9/10 – Two goals and bent Forest with ease when dropping into midfield to free up his forward co-stars.
Alternative
Dejan Kulusevski (84′ for Richardson) – N/A
Lucas Moura (84′ for son) – N/A
Pape Sarr (90′ for Skipp) – N/A
The manager
Antonio Conte – 8/10 – Much more active on the touchline than in recent months.
Navas does his best / James Williamson – AMA/GettyImages
GK: Keylor Navas – 6/10 – Couldn’t do much about any of the goals. Keep the score down.
RB: Serge Aurier – 5/10 – A bit jaded but not too carefree on the return to North London.
CB: Joe Worrall – 3/10 – Gave away a crazy penalty, but also scored a goal he knew little about. Swings and twirls?
CB: Felipe – 4/10 – Much fed up with Kane, who was constantly able to easily bend him.
LB: Renan Lodi – 2/10 – Eaten alive by Richarlison and Porro.
CM: Jonjo Shelvey – 5/10 – At least tried to unlock the Spurs with his excellent passing range.
CM: Aurel Mangala – 2/10 – Consistently failed to play simple passes and retain possession. Withdrawn at break.
CM: Remo Freuler – 4/10 – Neither did much at the end.
RW: Morgan Gibbs-White – 4/10 – Tried to cross the front line but failed to make an impact.
CF: Brennan Johnson – 3/10 – Dier and Romero were sent off.
LW: Jesse Lingard – 2/10 – Offered absolutely nothing and were rightly bowed at half-time.
Alternative
Andre Ayew (46 for Mangala) – 3/10
Emmanuel Denis (46′ for Lingard) – 5/10
Ryan Yates (68′ for Freelar) – 4/10
Chris Wood (68′ for Johnson) – N/A
Nico Williams (73′ for wood) – 4/10
The manager
Steve Cooper – 3/10 – Junglee played without urgency, intensity and aggression. They leave as deserved losers.
Man of the Match – Harry Kane (Tottenham)