Dejan Kulusevski scored one goal and created another as 10-man Tottenham Hotspur earned a 2-0 win at Nottingham Forest to move within a point of fourth-place Manchester City.
The Swede delivered a delicious cross that enabled Richarlison to score for the third time in two matches, and Kulusevski then doubled the lead with a powerful strike.
But Spurs were dealt blows when Brennan Johnson went off injured and Yves Bissouma was sent off in the second half.
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How the match unfolded
Both sides were unchanged, which meant former Forest forward Johnson started upon his return to the City Ground following his summer move to Spurs.
Ange Postecoglou’s side could have taken the lead with only three minutes played, but Son Heung-min’s strike was well saved by goalkeeper Matt Turner.
Spurs continued to control the early proceedings and had two chances in quick succession with Johnson and then Ben Davies failing to find the target.
| Position Pos | Club | Played Pl | GD | Points Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Arsenal
ARS
|
37 | +61 | 86 |
| 2 |
Man City
MCI
|
36 | +58 | 85 |
| 3 |
Liverpool
LIV
|
37 | +43 | 79 |
| 4 |
Aston Villa
AVL
|
37 | +20 | 68 |
| 5 |
Spurs
TOT
|
36 | +12 | 63 |
Spurs, who have been beset with injuries this season, were forced to make a concussion substitution on the half-hour when Johnson was replaced by Oliver Skipp.
With half-time approaching, Spurs went in front in the second minute of stoppage time as Richarlison headed in a cross from Kulusevski for his third goal in two matches following his brace against Newcastle United last week.
It is the first time the Brazilian has scored in consecutive matches for Spurs, who have now struck the opener in 11 consecutive fixtures.
Forest started the second half purposefully and four minutes after the break, Willy Boly was left unmarked in the area, but the defender fired his effort high over the bar.
There was another huge scare for Spurs though as Anthony Elanga thought he had scored an equaliser on the hour, but his goal was ruled out for offside.
Five minutes later, a poor pass from Turner, under pressure from Son, fell straight to Kulusevski, wearing a mask to protect his broken nose, and he tricked his way beyond Moussa Niakhate before lashing a strike through the ‘keeper’s hands.
Spurs were then reduced to 10 men when Bissouma was sent off by referee Jarred Gillett for a reckless high challenge on Ryan Yates following a VAR review.
It is the second time Bissouma has been dismissed in 2023/24, having been sent off against Luton Town in October. It was also a league-high fourth red card for Spurs this season.
Harry Toffolo's header from a corner was superbly cleared off the line by Spurs 'keeper Guglielmo Vicario and Neco Williams also hit the post as Forest failed to make the most of their numerical advantage.
A second successive victory means fifth-placed Spurs move onto 33 points, a point and a position away from Man City.
For Forest, it is a fifth defeat in their last six matches and they stay 16th on 14 points, five clear of the bottom three.
Next five Premier League fixtures
Key facts
- Kulusevski is the fourth Spurs player to both score and assist in consecutive away Premier League matches, after Dimitar Berbatov, Son Heung-min and Harry Kane.
- Spurs have scored in 15 consecutive away league matches for the first time since a 16-game run between November 1984 and August 1985.
- Forest have won one of their last 13 Premier League matches (D5 L7), while they have lost five of their last six (D1).
- Bissouma is the seventh Spurs player to be sent off twice in a single Premier League campaign, and first since Kyle Naughton in 2014/15.
