Tottenham Hotspur secured a crucial victory against Nottingham Forest, reclaiming their spot in the Premier League’s top four for the first time since February.
The hosts wasted no time asserting their dominance, opening the scoring within 15 minutes as Forest defender Murillo inadvertently deflected Timo Werner’s cross into his own net. However, Forest swiftly responded, with Chris Wood leveling the score 12 minutes later after finishing off Anthony Elanga’s cross.
Undeterred, Tottenham regained the lead in the 52nd minute through center-back Micky van de Ven, who unleashed a thunderous shot from the edge of the penalty area, finding the top corner of the net. Six minutes later, Pedro Porro extended Tottenham’s lead, hammering in James Maddison’s pass across goal.
The victory propelled Tottenham above Aston Villa in the league standings on goal difference, with one game in hand. Meanwhile, Nottingham Forest remained 17th in the table, narrowly avoiding the drop zone.
Tottenham’s resurgence in the second half was epitomized by the outstanding performance of Micky van de Ven, whose thunderous strike showcased his defensive prowess and contributed to Tottenham’s success. The 22-year-old defender has been instrumental in Tottenham’s Premier League campaign, with the team winning 13 out of 20 matches in which he has played.
Despite Forest’s spirited display, including near-misses from Murillo and Wood, they were unable to match Tottenham’s intensity. Forest’s manager Nuno Espirito Santo faced his former club for the first time but could not engineer a victory for his side.
As Tottenham continues their push for a top-four finish, they will face Newcastle United in their next fixture, aiming to maintain their momentum. Meanwhile, Nottingham Forest will reflect on missed opportunities as they prepare to host Wolverhampton Wanderers in their upcoming match.