We tested Sels for the first time three minutes later, Wilson Odobert’s low curler needing to be tipped around the post while Mathys Tel headed over at the back post and Dejan Kulusevski drilled straight at Sels as we applied a bit of pressure in search of a quick response. Possession-wise, we were well on top and should have reduced the deficit with two good chances just before the interval. First up, Neco Williams fluffed his clearance from Pedro Porro’s cross but Tel lashed the loose ball wide before another Porro centre found Richarlison at the far post however he sent his header past the upright.
A double switch at half-time saw both centre-halves replaced – Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero swapped for Ben Davies and Kevin Danso – and we continued to play on the front foot, seeing plenty of the ball. But Forest were always a threat on the counter and Gibbs-White flashed a shot just wide from a Wood flick 10 minutes into the second period. A stunning goal-line clearance prevented us from pulling a goal back in the 63rd minute when Kulusevski’s near-post flick from a corner beat Sels but not Harry Toffolo’s excellent intervention, while Richarlison couldn’t believe his eyes when a Forest clearance came to him with just Sels to beat, only for the keeper to rush out and smother his effort.
The visitors were very much content to sit back and let us have the ball in front of them, challenging us to find a way through and, despite so much of possession, we were finding a route to goal hard to come by. When we did create a great chance – Porro picking out Richarlison with another delivery into the box – Sels was there again, diving to his right to tip the Brazilian’s header away.
Finally though, we did find the target with three minutes of normal time remaining and it was that same combination, Porro – making his 100th Spurs appearance – sending a cross in from the right and this time, Richarlison’s glancing header was out of reach of Sels and bounced into the far corner. Five minutes of stoppage time gave us hope however Forest did what they could to stop the flow of the game and we were unable to apply any late pressure, slipping to an eighth home league defeat of the season.
