Tottenham solidify top-four place as Harry Kane scores twice in win over Nottingham Forest
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Updated 11/03/2023 at 20:32 GMT
Tottenham Hotspur suffered a painful defeat to AC Milan in midweek in the Champions League that called into question Antonio Conte's future at the club. While those questions remain, the pressure was somewhat lessened after Spurs won 3-1 over Nottingham Forest at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday afternoon in the Premier League, with Harry Kane scoring twice.
'The coach is not so stupid' - Conte reacts to criticism over use of Richarlison
Tottenham Hotspur are now six points clear in fourth place after Harry Kane’s brace gave them a 3-1 win over Nottingham Forest in the Premier League.
Kane has now scored 20 Premier League goals in six different seasons, a feat only Sergio Aguero (six) and Alan Shearer (seven) have achieved in previous years.
Tottenham thought they had the lead in the second minute after Richarlison smashed the ball into the roof of the net, but a lengthy VAR check showed the Brazilian to be offside.
Kane scored the first goal in the 19th minute, heading home a cross from Pedro Porro, before scoring a penalty 16 minutes later after Joe Worrall brought down Richarlison in the box.
Despite some improvement from Forest in the second half, Spurs were still dominant, and managed a third in the 62nd minute. Richarlison’s first cross to Son Heung-min was intercepted by Worrall, but the second found the feet of the winger, who made space for himself past Serge Aurier, and slotted it into the bottom corner.
Forest managed to score their sole goal in the 81st minute, with Felipe and Worrall capitalising on a Fraser Forster mistake for their consolation.
The visitors were also awarded a late penalty due to a handball from Dejan Kulusevski, but Forster saved Andre Ayew's shot from the spot.
Up next, Tottenham will head to bottom of the table Southampton, while Nottingham Forest will host Newcastle.
TALKING POINT: BACK TO WINNING WAYS FOR SPURS
Before this game, Tottenham had not won a match since their 2-0 victory against Chelsea in the Premier League on February 26. They followed the derby victory with a loss to Sheffield United in the FA Cup, a loss to Wolves in the league, and a loss to AC Milan in the Champions League on aggregate.
With Liverpool continuing their inconsistency in the league, and Newcastle tailing off, Antonio Conte and his side should be in pole position to finish in a Champions League spot, which is all that they’re playing for at the minute.
Should they not finish in the top four, it is likely that not only Conte leaves, but their talisman, Kane, starts to think of moving to the kind pastures that offer him the chance of silverware.
PLAYER OF THE MATCH: HARRY KANE
It’s been cemented for a long-time that Kane is a Spurs legend, and against Forest he showed what he’s capable of even when he’s not at his best. It wasn’t a vintage performance by any means, but he took his goals well, and looked to create space for his fellow forwards. Reaching the milestone of 20 goals for a sixth season in the Premier League is no small feat, and fans will hope that he adds a few more to secure a spot in the top four.
PLAYER RATINGS
SPURS: Fraser Forster 7, Eric Dier 6, Clement Lenglet 7, Cristian Romero 7, Ben Davies 7, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg 7, Oliver Skipp 7, Pedro Porro 7, Son Heung-Min 8, Richarlison 8, Harry Kane 8.
SUBS: Lucas Moura 6, Dejan Kulusevski 5, Pape Matar Sarr N/A
FOREST: Keylor Navas 6, Renan Lodi 6, Felipe 7, Joe Worrall 6, Serge Aurier 6, Orel Mangala 6, Jonjo Shelvey 6, Remo Freuler 6, Morgan Gibbs-White 6, Jesse Lingard 6, Brennan Johnson 6.
SUBS: Andre Ayew 6, Emmanuel Dennis 7, Ryan Yates 6, Neco Williams 6, Chris Wood N/A
MATCH HIGHLIGHTS
3' - GOAL! TOTTENHAM 1-0 NOTTINGHAM FOREST: WHAT A START FOR SPURS! RICHARLISON SCORES IN THE OPENING MINUTES. It's a fantastic pass from over the top, and the Brazilian lets the ball bounce in front of him before lashing it into the net. What a statement after his comments earlier in the week!
6' - THE GOAL IS CHALKED OFF AFTER A LONG VAR CHECK! No goal! Richarlison was offside, and it will not count!
19' - GOAL! TOTTENHAM 1-0 NOTTINGHAM FOREST: KANE SCORES THE OPENER FOR SPURS! A short cross comes in from Porro and the striker rises against Forest's two centre-backs to head it past Navas. Fantastic from Davies to keep possession after a misplaced pass.
34' - PENALTY FOR SPURS: Richarlison gets the ball in the box, and Worrall brings him down with a sliding tackle. The ref doesn't hesitate to point to the spot.
35' - GOAL! TOTTENHAM 2-0 NOTTINGHAM FOREST: KANE SCORED HIS SECOND FROM THE SPOT! It's a high, well-taken penalty that's right down the middle to double Spurs' lead.
62' - GOAL! TOTTENHAM 3-0 NOTTINGHAM FOREST: SON GETS IN ON THE ACTION, AND IT'S THREE FOR SPURS! The ball breaks for Richarlison who tries to cross it to Son, but the ball gets intercepted. The Brazilian gets to try again, and this time, Son is able to receive the ball, take a touch and make space for himself, and shoot low into the bottom corner.
81' - GOAL! TOTTENHAM 3-1 NOTTINGHAM FOREST: FOREST GET ONE BACK! Worrall gets on the scoresheet after a mistake from Forster. The 'keeper tried to punch the ball away, but Felipe gets there, crosses it to Worrall, who finishes off at the far post.
90+4' - VAR NOW CHECKING A PEN FROM EARLIER... Dennis may have won a late handball for Forest here with Kulusevski handling the ball... The referee gives it after checking the screen!
90+7' - PENALTY SAVE! FORSTER DENIES AYEW FROM THE SPOT! IT'S STILL 3-1!
KEY STATS
- Fraser Forster has saved four of the last eight penalties he's faced in the Premier League, with this save from Andre Ayew the first he's faced with Tottenham.
- Joe Worrall scored his first league goal in 85 games for Nottingham Forest, since netting against Brentford in the Championship in December 2020.
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