Tottenham Hotspur (H) 26/12/24

 

Nottingham Forest 1-0 Tottenham Hotspur 

Elanga 28'

               

It’s the most wonderful time of the year. The Festive season. The visit of Santa, opening presents, playing games and stuffing yourself with pigs in blankets was over but you know what that means… Boxing Day football! I got everything I wanted so far but there was just one present left I was hoping to get: 3 points of course.

Our opponents were Spurs, the only team we’re yet to take points off since our return to the Premier League. All of our previous 4 league games against the Lilywhites had ended in defeat. However, 2 seasons ago we knocked them out of the Carabao Cup third round thanks to goals from Renan Lodi and Jesse Lingard. Form coming into the fixture was more on the side of Forest. After being the first side to win at the Gtech Community Stadium last weekend, Forest were looking to win 4 games in a row for the first time since 1995. Spurs’ recent form was a mixture of results, however, last game week they lost 6-3 to league leaders Liverpool.

In the opening minutes of the game, the Spurs attacks were looking dangerous. The Reds’ defence stood strong, as they have done for the season so far, waving away any early Tottenham goals. Forest did have the opening chance of the game through Callum Hudson-Odoi. Spurs gave the ball away in the Forest half but with their counter attack, the Reds quickly drove up the other end through Elanga before he played into Gibbs-White. Forest’s number 10 played a lovely ball to Hudson-Odoi who cut inside onto his right foot to shoot narrowly over the bar. Spurs played some nice football to get themselves into the Forest half. The pass into the box was blocked by Neco Williams but Tottenham recycled the ball. It finally found Brennan Johnson on the right of the box who shot low from a tight angle and the in form Sels was down to stop him. I have to admit it was a bit odd to see Johnson and Spence down the right together playing for a different team. From the clearance from Johnson’s shot, Forest were counter attacking again. Gibbs-White did well before switching the ball to Hudson-Odoi. He and Chris Wood linked before Elanga got on the ball and fired just over the crossbar.

However, with his next shot, Elanga found the net to give Forest the lead. Once again, Forest won the ball back deep in their own half. Neco Williams put in the tackle before Ryan Yates found Gibbs-White. His eyes must have lit up as he had so much space to run into and no Spurs man came out to meet him. He saw Elanga running in behind and played a perfectly weighted pass between Archie Gray and Destiny Udogie to find the Swede. Udogie didn’t track the run and Elanga curled it round Forster and into the bottom left corner. Forest have only lost 1 in 6 when scoring the opening goal at home this season however, Spurs haven’t won a match when conceding first away from home this season. Forest seemed happy to let the visitors have possession, but they created a brilliant chance with it. Dejan Kulusevski drove forward to the byline down the right but was greeted by 2 men in red. He noticed Johnson running into the box and played the ball between the Forest players to find him. In a similar position to his other shot, the former Forest man took his shot but went high this time. Yet again, Sels was there to deny him.

If the visitors couldn’t find a way back into the game, their 16-game unbeaten streak on Boxing Day would come to an end. Forest looked to double their advantage but were denied by a brilliant save from Forster. Elanga drove forward down the right before looping a cross into the box either trying to shoot or looking for Chris Wood. Forster blocked out the cross but tipped it straight to Gibbs-White who looked destined to score. Forster made himself big to deny his first time finish. Elanga recycled the ball but the hosts couldn’t do anything with it and Spurs cleared. Once again, it was Johnson who looked to try and get his side back into the game. He won a corner which Kulusevski whipped in. The ball was punched away by Sels but only to Pape Sarr on the edge of the box. His shot was blocked but Spence headed back into the danger area. Johnson controlled and placed it through the legs of Murillo as he turned brilliantly and looked certain to find the net but Sels rushed out and saved it with his legs.

Forest were playing with confidence as they looked to increase their lead but even without the ball, they frustrated Spurs and defended strongly. For the remaining minutes, the Reds had to stick together and persevere. Tottenham were pushing players forward and pinning Forest back as they looked to find an equaliser but as they had done all season, Nuno’s side weren’t letting them through. There was some drama in the dying moments as Jota Silva looked to break away and get his side out of the pressure. As he did, Spence stuck his leg out to stop him and receive his second yellow of the game for a cynical foul. His first was for smacking the ball into the ground out of frustration. How about that for your return to the City Ground?

All the boys were excellent. If I had to pick a man of the match it would be Neco but everyone played their part. The defence yet again were brilliant and Sels made some good saves to deny Johnson. Elliot is looking like a bargain as each game goes by too. Anthony is looking more like himself and now has 3 goals in his last 3 games.  We will be without Yatesy at Everton where the game would’ve suited him but I’d expect to see Dominguez back in the side who always puts a good shift in. It’s 8 wins in our last 11 games and we’ve already beaten last season’s points tally in less than half the games. I’d like to think were safe from relegation and we can focus on finishing as high up the table as we can. This team is very special but when is it time to get my passport ready?

 

Forest: Sels; Williams, Murillo, Milenkovic, Aina; Yates, Anderson (War-Prowse 82'); Elanga (Morato 74'), Gibbs-White (Jota Silva 82'), Hudson-Odoi (Sosa 87'); Wood (Awoniyi 87')

 

Tottenham Hotspur: Forster; Spence, Drugusin (Bissouma 87'), Grey, Udogie (Pedro Porro 81'); Bentancur (Bergvall 64'), Sarr (Maddison 64'); Johnson, Kulusevski, Son (Werner 81'); Solanke