Dejan Kulusevski did his best James Maddison impression, scoring one goal and assisting another, to help Tottenham beat Nottingham Forest 2-0 and inch closer to the Premier League’s top-four on Friday.
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The victory puts Tottenham level on points (33) with three-time defending champions Manchester City for 4th, now just four points off leaders Liverpool with the halfway point of the season quickly approaching. After taking just one point from five games immediately following long-term injuries to playmaker Maddison and center back Micky van de Ven, Ange Postecoglou’s side has rebounded with back-to-back wins over Newcastle and Forest in six days’ time.
Forest (14 points), meanwhile, remain 16th in the table, with Steve Cooper set for another week of speculation about his position as manager. The Tricky Trees are five points above the relegation zone after 17 games played.
Spurs and Forest traded counter-attacking chances for most of the first half, as each side looked to exploit the other with pace in the open field. Just when 0-0 looked a certainty at halftime, Richarlison rose highest to reach Kulusevski’s cross and head home the opening goal. For the first time in his Tottenham career, Richarlison has scored in back-to-back games after bagging a brace against Newcastle last weekend.
Willy Boly had Nottingham Forest’s best chance for an equalizer in the 49th minute, but the burly defender blasted his effort high into the night sky despite having loads of time and space to compose himself before the shot.
15 minutes later, disaster struck for Forest and USMNT no. 1 Matt Turner, and Spurs were 2-0 ahead. Turner tried a desperate, long-range pass out of his own six-yard box, but the ball flew directly to Kulusevski 25 yards from goal. The Swede beat one defender and smashed a right-footed effort off Turner’s hands and into the back of the net.
Add Yves Bissouma to the long-term injury/suspension list
Yves Bissouma was sent off after 70 minutes for a highly dangerous tackle on Ryan Yates. Bissouma put his studs into Yates’ knee as the two challenged for a 50-50 ball. After initially receiving a yellow card, Bissouma was shown red for the second time in eight appearances. The Mali international will be banned for four games, but likely won’t feature for Spurs again until late January or early February as he is eligible to return a day after the Africa Cup of Nations kicks off, on Jan. 13.
What’s next?
Spurs will head into Christmas and Boxing Day with a visit from Everton next Saturday (10 am ET), while Nottingham Forest host Bournemouth at the same time.
Player ratings - Nottingham Forest vs Tottenham
Nottingham Forest vs Tottenham Hotspur, final score: 0-2
Goalscorers: Richarlison (45'+1), Dejan Kulusevski (65')
45th minute +1 - GOAL - Richarlison heads home Dejan Kulusevski’s cross for 1-0
65th minute - GOAL - Matt Turner makes a mess of Dejan Kulusevski’s shot for 2-0
70th minute - RED CARD - Yves Bissouma sent off for dangerous tackle
How to watch Nottingham Forest vs Tottenham Hotspur live, stream link and start time
Kick off: 3pm ET Friday (Dec. 15)
TV Channel: USA Network
Online: Stream via NBCSports.com
Nottingham Forest starting lineup
Turner — Boly, Murillo, Niakhate — Williams, Yates, Mangala, Kouyate, Toffolo — Elanga, Gibbs-White
Tottenham starting lineup
Vicario — Porro, Romero, Davies, Udogie — Bissouma, Sarr — Johnson, Kulusevski, Son, Richarlison
Nottingham Forest injuries, team news
OUT: Taiwo Awoniyi (groin), Serge Aurier (calf) | QUESTIONABLE: Murillo (thigh)
Tottenham Hotspur injuries, team news
OUT: James Maddison (ankle - out until new year), Micky van de Ven (hamstring - out until new year), Rodrigo Bentancur (ankle), Ryan Sessegnon (thigh), Eric Dier (groin), Manor Solomon (knee), Ivan Perisic (knee), Alfie Whiteman (ankle).