Nottingham Forest achieved an important victory when visiting Tottenham Hotspur’s headquarters. They won 2-1 in the 33rd week of the 2024/2025 Premier League, Monday (21/4/2025).
This victory brought Forest back to third place in the Premier League standings. This also extended their unbeaten record in Easter Monday matches to 17 matches (14 wins, 3 draws).
Tottenham came with enthusiasm after qualifying for the Europa League semifinals. However, the hopes of the home fans immediately fell apart early in the match.
Forest appeared dominant from the first minute. They took an early lead and controlled the match until the end.
Forest opened the scoring in the 5th minute through Elliot Anderson’s shot which changed direction due to a deflection. The ball ed Guglielmo Vicario who had made a wrong move.
Not long after that, Anderson created another dangerous moment. His was successfully completed by Chris Wood even though his initial goal was disallowed for offside.
However, Wood finally scored a legitimate goal a few minutes later. He headed home Anthony Elanga’s cross to put Forest two goals up.
Tottenham tried to come back into the game before the break, but efforts from Richarlison and Mathys Tel were fruitless. Their front line was less effective than Forest’s.
The Spurs manager made two changes at the back at the break. However, the changes did not have an immediate impact on the game.
Richarlison managed to reduce the deficit towards the end of the match. Unfortunately, the goal came too late and Forest still came out on top.
Last 2023/2024 season, Nottingham was a team competing to escape the relegation zone. However, in the 2024/2025 season, until week 33, Nottingham was ranked 3rd in the Premier League standings with 60 points.
Nottingham is now competing for a Champions League ticket. They have achieved many important results, including against Liverpool. This cannot be separated from the playing ideas used by the manager, Nuso Espirito Santo.
Nottingham won 2-1 at Tottenham’s headquarters in week 33 of the Premier League, Monday (21/4). Chris Wood and his colleagues won with a record of only controlling 30 percent of ball possession, very small!
For Nottingham, ball possession is not a measure of success. The match against Tottenham is a reflection of Nottingham’s performance throughout the season. For them, ball possession is not a key factor.
Quoted from Opta, Nottingham’s average ball possession until week 33 was 39.3 percent. The lowest of the 19 Premier League clubs. Their ball possession is even lower than the relegated team, Southampton.
“We have a clear way of playing and that’s when we find ourselves. We have been able to compete well this season and fight for every ball,” said Nottingham Forest manager Nuno Espirito, quoted from BBC Sport.
The football that Nottingham plays may not be fun to watch for some fans. However, in of results, Nottingham can be said to be a great success. From a bottom team to now competing in the Champions League zone is an important achievement.
Without ball possession, Nottingham play quite deep and emphasize the strength in the back line. Nottingham are the team with the third fewest goals conceded in the Premier League. They have only conceded 39 goals.
When in possession, Nottingham play vertically. They will send the ball forward, relying on the strength of Chris Wood, the speed of Anthony Elanga and Callum Hudson-Odoi. Both have performed very consistently in the 2024/2025 season.
