Nottingham Forest created history with a 1-0 victory over Tottenham at City Ground as they won a fourth successive Premier League match. The win hoisted Forest to third, ahead of Arsenal, and further cemented the form of Nuno Espírito Santo's side. Tottenham, on the other hand, stay in 11th for Ange Postecoglou's men, who find it difficult to put consistent results together this campaign.
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Elanga: the game-changing figure again
Once again, Anthony Elanga stole the show. He scored in a third successive Premier League outing in the 28-minute mark. The Swedish forward finished a great pass from Morgan Gibbs-White with an ice-cold composure to seal the win for Forest. Elanga always proves himself as a player who would deliver at crucial moments, scoring from every chance he gets.
Forest's watertight defense
While Elanga shone in attack, Nottingham's rearguard was equally as important. Matz Sels was hardly tested despite Tottenham forcing three efforts on target. Even the returning Brennan Johnson, off the bench, couldn't unlock the Forest door as Nuno Espírito Santo's team displayed superb tactical discipline, snuffing out much of Tottenham's attacking threats. Despite having only 29.6% possession— their lowest at home this season — Forest showed that winning doesn’t always require dominating the ball.
Spurs lose their way on the field
On the other hand, Tottenham suffered yet another setback. Despite holding 70.4% possession, they struggled to turn that control into meaningful chances. The inability to create clear opportunities and finish effectively was glaring. An irked Ange Postecoglou captured the feeling of disappointment with these words: "It was a disappointing goal we conceded, but beyond that, the boys worked hard. We tried to create as many opportunities as possible, considering the context of the game and how Forest plays. We just couldn't get over the line." Matters were made worse as far as the team's defence was concerned with Djed Spence being sent off for a second yellow and Radu Dragusin leaving the game injured.
A historic milestone for Nottingham
The victory against Tottenham means much more than just three points for Nottingham Forest. That marked their fourth straight Premier League win, the first time they had done so since May 1995. It also ended a run of six successive defeats to Tottenham. Nuno Espírito Santo stressed that the achievement was important: "The belief is here, but belief doesn't hide reality. We haven't achieved anything yet. We have two days to recover, rest, and compete against Everton. We believe we can compete well. That should be enjoyed by the fans. Let's enjoy this together." Forest's recent performances reflect a mature team that understands its limitations but knows how to maximize its strengths.
Tottenham's Boxing Day streak comes to an end
A Boxing Day of surprises and intense soccer action in the Premier League turned out to be a nightmare for Tottenham. The defeat against Forest snapped a 16-game unbeaten run on Boxing Day, which had not occurred since 2003. Having dominated possession in many games this season, Tottenham's struggles underlined that the ball possession does not always guarantee the result. This was their fifth loss in seven matches where they had over 65% possession.
Looking ahead
The challenge now for Nottingham Forest is how to keep the momentum alive. The team faces Everton in the next round, with the chance to firm up a position among the league's top contenders. Confidence is high, and the team is keen to make the most of this phase. For Tottenham, the situation becomes increasingly worrying. The team urgently needs to regain its rhythm and address the weaknesses that continue to undermine their results. Ange Postecoglou faces a tough road ahead, especially with defensive issues piling up.