Spurs frustrated as Forest stands firm

LONDON — Nottingham Forest beat struggling Tottenham 2-1 on Monday, bouncing back from two defeats to strengthen its push for a Champions League spot and heap more pressure on embattled Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou.

Forest came into the game at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in sixth spot in the table after losses to Aston Villa and Everton.

But, early goals from Elliot Anderson and top-scorer Chris Wood settled its nerves and it held on tenaciously, despite a late goal from Richarlison, to climb to third in the table.

Leader Liverpool has one hand on the Premier League title and Arsenal is likely to finish second.

But, behind them, the competition is fierce for the top five places that will guarantee qualification for the Champions League next season.

Just three points separate Forest from Aston Villa in seventh spot, with five games remaining.

Nuno Espirito Santo's side took the lead in the fifth minute following a corner, when Anderson's deflected shot beat Guglielmo Vicario.

Wood had the ball in the net five minutes later, but it was ruled out by VAR for offside.

But, the New Zealander doubled Forest's lead in the 16th minute, nodding a cross from Anthony Elanga past Vicario.

Spurs dominated possession and had more shots on goal, but delivered little return for its effort.

Forest had a chance to make it 3-0 10 minutes into the second half, when Wood cushioned the ball into the path of Morgan Gibbs-White, but the midfielder skewed his shot wide.

Forest defender Harry Toffolo produced a spectacular overhead goal-line clearance to keep out Dejan Kulusevski's header shortly after the hour mark.

Postecoglou brought on former Forest winger Brennan Johnson and forward Dominic Solanke with a quarter of the match to go.

Matz Sels produced a superb fingertip save low down to his right from a Richarlison header with about 10 minutes to go, as Tottenham ramped up the pressure.

The Brazilian did get on the scoresheet in the 87th minute, powering a header home from a Pedro Porro cross, but the visitor held on.

Nuno said his team had toughed it out against the home side, which he admitted had his men "against the ropes".