The Premier League clash between Tottenham vs Nottm Forest turned into one of the most talked-about fixtures of the season. For Spurs, it was another frustrating defeat that manager Ange Postecoglou admitted was “a game we should never lose.” For Forest, it was a massive victory that showcased resilience, discipline, and clinical finishing at the right moments.
The two teams went into the game with some different desires. Tottenham who had lost their previous two games due to results after the game against Watford and were aiming to reclaim their hopes in the Europeans friendly competition and the other team Nottingham Forest were in a relegation fight and needed to win against the oppressing team through a miracle at the ground. It was also a disappointing end to the game for the North London club whilst being a giant leap in their campaign by Forest.
Ange Postecoglou: “A Game We Should Never Lose”
Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou was visibly frustrated after the match. Speaking to Sky Sports, he highlighted how his team dominated possession and created chance after chance, only to gift away goals through poor defensive concentration.
“It’s disappointing. It’s a game we should never lose. One we have let slip. I’m really disappointed with the goals we conceded. The most frustrating thing is that our football was outstanding. We couldn’t have dominated any more than we did.”
It is an issue. Postecoglou highlighted that with Spurs this season, they play good, attacking football but do not do enough defensive work to pay a price. Spurs also made two poor goals and it placed them on the wrong foot, where they had to chase a goal to win yet they had many chances in the game but they failed to realize the goal.
Nuno Espírito Santo: “We Are Fighting for Something Nobody Expected”
On the other hand, Nottingham Forest manager Nuno Espírito Santo praised his team’s resilience and tactical discipline.
“Tottenham put us against the ropes so it was about defending and holding on to the result. We started the game well. We created danger with good combinations. Credit to Tottenham, they created so many chances, but we were fortunate to get away with the result.”
It turns out that the defensive change that Forest made at halftime by dropping an extra man back helped. Matz Sels in goal also made some remarkable saves, putting a smile on their attackers and causing nothing but frustrations for the Spurs players. Nuno pointed out that Forest are “playing for something that nobody would have imagined towards the start of the season,” and the fans remain an important means to the development of the team.
Key Match Stats: Tottenham vs Nottm Forest
Here’s a simple breakdown of how the game unfolded statistically:
| Metric | Tottenham Hotspur | Nottingham Forest |
| Possession | 68% | 32% |
| Shots (On Target) | 21 (7) | 8 (4) |
| Goals | 0 | 2 |
| Big Chances Created | 5 | 2 |
| Saves by Goalkeeper | 2 | 7 |
| Pass Accuracy | 87% | 72% |
| Fouls Committed | 8 | 13 |
This table shows just how much Spurs dominated the ball and chances, yet Forest were ruthless with their limited opportunities.
More Premier League Misery for Spurs
This defeat adds to Tottenham’s struggles under Ange Postecoglou. They have now lost 18 Premier League games in the 2024/25 season, with only Osvaldo Ardiles (19 in 1993/94) having lost more in a single campaign as Spurs manager.
Former Liverpool defender and Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher expressed concern over Spurs’ repeated issues:
“When you listen to Ange Postecoglou you feel like you get the same interview because they have the same problems, but it is his job to fix them. Football is about with the ball and without the ball. Tottenham are only really good in one category.”
Carragher’s words highlight the growing frustration among pundits and fans who see Spurs play attractive football but continue to lose games.
Nottingham Forest’s Historic Win
For Forest, this was not just another three points. It marked the first time since the 1996/97 season that they completed a league double over Tottenham.
- Forest have now recorded their eighth Premier League victory against Spurs, with only Southampton being a more frequent victim.
- This season, Forest have won 53% of their Premier League away games, their best win percentage in a single campaign.
- Only Liverpool have won more away games in the league this season.
This result reinforces Forest’s transformation under Nuno Espírito Santo, turning them into one of the hardest teams to beat away from home.
Player Highlights
- Matz Sels (Nottingham Forest GK): A wall in goal, pulling off crucial saves to deny Spurs. His post-match comments reflected his pride in the team’s effort and the importance of bouncing back after two defeats.
- Elliot Anderson (Forest Midfielder): Called the win “massive” and praised the team’s defensive effort, especially after switching to a back five in the second half.
- Tottenham’s Attack: Despite dominating possession, Spurs’ forwards lacked finishing quality. Richarlison and Son had chances but could not find the net.
Conclusion: Two Different Stories
The match between Tottenham vs Nottm Forest perfectly illustrated the contrasting fortunes of both sides. Tottenham once again played attractive football but were let down by poor defending and a lack of finishing. Ange Postecoglou’s frustration is growing as Spurs continue to lose games they should be winning. Nottingham Forest, on the other side, however, was able to get a historic victory considering the confidence it gave them in running down to the final weeks of the season. They were resilient, tactically disciplined and punished their errors—which Spurs did not on the night.
This contest was such a hard reminder to Tottenham that having possession is nothing without a well-organized defense and ends up in the absence of the conversion of goals. To Forest, this was a declaration win, which demonstrates there is no one in the Premier League they can not match.
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