Nottingham Forest has beaten Tottenham twice in the Premier League for the first time in 28 years, and manager Nuno Espírito Santo is thrilled. The 2-1 win puts Forest back in third place, securing a UEFA Champions League spot. “We can’t do it any other way,” Espírito Santo said after the match, praising his team’s defensive efforts. “Tottenham pushed us hard, so we had to defend and hold on to the result.”
A tough match
Forest started strong, creating chances with good passing combinations. “We wanted to be more offensive in the second half and be more dangerous with more possession,” Espírito Santo explained. However, the team struggled with fatigue, both physical and mental, and anxiety, which caused them to drop back. “It’s to Tottenham’s credit. They created many opportunities against us, and we were lucky to get the result.”
The match saw Tottenham having numerous crossing opportunities and space on the wings. To counter this, Espírito Santo made a tactical switch at halftime, bringing on an extra attacker to pressure Tottenham’s defense. “We had one less man to press in midfield, but we had one more in the box,” he said, highlighting the importance of this change.
Key players and next steps
Taiwo Awoniyi has been crucial for Forest throughout the season. “Matz has been very important for us. He kept us in the game, and we’re very happy,” Espírito Santo praised. With five games left in the league and an FA Cup semifinal against Manchester City upcoming, Forest is looking forward to a big week. “We have to prepare well and then go to Wembley and enjoy it. It’s not often we have these moments, especially in this league, when we’re fighting for something no one expected,” Espírito Santo said, thanking the fans for their support.
The fans have been fantastic, giving the team an extra boost. “Today, they gave us an extra run, not just here but also at City Ground. We can’t thank them enough,” Espírito Santo said, acknowledging their importance.
- Forest’s win puts them back in third place.
- The team faces five more league games.
- They are set to play in the FA Cup semifinal.