Nottingham Forest reignited their Champions League ambitions with a 2–1 win at Tottenham Hotspur, as Nuno Espírito Santo masterminded a victory over his former club in classic fashion. It was a night when Forest needed a spark to keep their top-five hopes alive, and Spurs, as they’ve done so often this season, played the obliging hosts.
Nuno, once the shortest-serving permanent manager in Tottenham’s history, returned to north London and left with three points that meant far more than he let on pre-match. Despite his claims that revenge wasn’t on the agenda, the passion in his celebrations told a different story. Elliot Anderson’s fifth-minute opener, followed by Chris Wood’s 19th Premier League goal of the campaign, gave Forest a dream start they never relinquished, despite a late rally from the hosts.
It was a classic Nuno display score early, sit deep, and defend with discipline. Forest executed the plan to perfection. Spurs, in contrast, looked disjointed, lacking urgency or belief for much of the contest. Their late goal from Richarlison, coming three minutes from time, only served to inject drama into a contest that had already swung heavily in Forest’s favour.
Tottenham have been the unwitting benefactors to struggling teams throughout the season. Crystal Palace ended a winless run at Spurs, and even relegated Leicester managed their sole win during a horror stretch at the same ground. Add Forest’s first double over Spurs since 1997 to that list, and a pattern emerges one that will undoubtedly leave fans questioning their team’s mentality in crucial moments.
It’s easy to wonder how things might have turned out had Nuno been given more time during his ill-fated stint at Spurs. His tenure ended after just 17 games, with the team in eighth and struggling for goals. Though he won the manager of the month in August 2021, his time always felt like a stopgap following a chaotic managerial search. Now, at Forest, he’s thriving. He’s bonded with his squad, tailored a gameplan to their strengths, and built a team capable of upsetting the odds.
Tottenham, meanwhile, are struggling to maintain the positive momentum they enjoyed in Ange Postecoglou’s first season. After finishing fifth last year, expectations were high, but a string of underwhelming displays has left them vulnerable. Their Europa League run is one source of hope, but domestic inconsistency remains a concern.
Postecoglou tried to adjust, opting for a combative midfield trio and benching James Maddison and Lucas Bergvall. Yet from the first whistle, it was Forest who brought the intensity. Morgan Gibbs-White’s early pirouette and shot set the tone. Anderson scored from the ensuing corner, and Wood doubled the lead shortly after, capitalizing on some dismal Spurs defending.
Nuno, accused during his Tottenham days of being distant and disengaged, now cuts the figure of a manager fully immersed in his team. His connection with the players and fans has been evident throughout the campaign, and with an FA Cup semi-final against Manchester City on the horizon, Forest’s season is reaching a pivotal moment.
Home fixtures against Brentford, Leicester, and Chelsea on the final day offer a route to the top five. Nuno will have a plan for each one. And if this performance is anything to go by, it’s a plan that could yet deliver European nights at the City Ground.
