Spurs brought back down to Earth as Forest spoil the good mood generated by win in Germany

Tottenham (0) 1 Richarlison 87

Nottingham Forest (2) 2 Anderson 5, Wood 17

Spurs' hopes of riding the wave of euphoria following their fine Europa win in Frankfurt were dashed as Champions League-chasing Forest bagged two early goals to puncture their opponents' ambitions.

A late goal from Richarlison was all Tottenham managed - though they fashioned lots of chances during a vastly improved second half - and Nuno Espirito Santo became the eighth Premier League boss to taste victory in the league at the TH Stadium this season.

Given the sorry time he had when he was in charge here, this will have felt particularly pleasing. The matchday programme did not acknowledge his time in North London either, which may not have gone unnoticed.

Forest were ahead after only five minutes when an outswinging corner from Anthony Elanga found its way out to the far edge of the area and there was Elliot Anderson to thump it back with interest - a deflection off Rodrigo Bentancur taking it past Guglielmo Vicario.

And there was very nearly another goal for the visitors in the opening 10 minutes when Chris Wood turned in a cross from the left - a VAR offside call sparing Ange Postecoglou's men.

The reprieve was short lived. A cross from Elanga was met by the towering figure of Wood to get the header that took it past Vicario. Van de Ven's famed lightning pace was of no use this time as he was outjumped by the marauding New Zealander.

Wilson Odobert nearly replied immediately but Matz Sels dived to his left to turn aside a powerful effort from the edge of the box and there were more chances. Mathys Tel shanked a wild shot after Neco Williams made a hash of a cross - and it was unlucky that neither Pape Matar Sarr or the lesser-spotted Richarlison could convert a hanging cross to the far post.

The game was perfect for Forest and their counter-attacking style, though, and the lead was almost extended after the break when Wood's deft touch gave Morgan Gibbs-White a sighter that he wasted.

Spurs thought they had pegged a goal back when Dejan Kulusevski's near-post header looped towards the far stick in an arc that looked destined to take it into the net, but somehow Harry Toffolo got back to hook the ball off the line.

The hosts will point to other near misses from sub Kevin Danso and from Richarlison - whose downward header was expertly saved by Sels - but Forest defended impressively and looked comfortable for the most part.

Tottenham ensured it would be a grandstand finish, however, when Richarlsion did send a firm header past Sels - courtesy of a fine cross in from the right by the ever-lively Pedro Porro.

With a Wembley semi-final to come and a place in the top five very much there for the taking, Forest's season continues to fire on all cylinders. For Spurs, the league campaign looks like remaining wretched to the end.

Spurs: (4-3-3) Vicario - Porro, Romero (Danso h/t), Van de Ven (Davies h/t), Spence - Kulusveski (Solanke 67), Bentacur, Sarr (Bergvall 81) - Odobert (Johnson 67), Richarlison, Tel

Forest:(4-2-1-3) Sels - Williams, Milenkovic, Murillo, Toffolo - Dominguez (Yates 58), Anderson - Elanga (Morata h/t), Gibbs-White (Sosa 93), Danilo (Hudson-Odoi 58) - Wood (Awoniyi 75)

Attendance: 59,314