Bottom of the Premier League Nottingham Forest beat Spurs 2-0 in what was an extremely comfortable tie for the home side.
Embed from Getty ImagesThe first half of the game was signs of what was to come, with Forest hitting the post and Spurs debutant Fraser Forster having to pull off some good saves to keep the score at 0-0 at half time.
Forest then took the lead in the 50th minute when Yves Bissouma lost the ball in the midfield, and the ball eventually got to Renan Lodi, who cut inside and curled one into the far corner on his weak foot. They then doubled the lead in the 57th minute as Jesse Lingard scored his first goal for the club. Richarlison would then have two goals disallowed, one for a foul in the build up to the goal and another for offside. Forest progress to the last 16 and Tottenham will be wondering what to do next.
Here are my Tottenham player ratings for last nights game.
Fraser Forster – 8 – One of the few positives of last nights game. A strong performance in goal and proving that we have a good enough back up goalkeeper to play if Hugo Lloris gets injured, or possibly if his form continues to get worse.
Embed from Getty ImagesDavinson Sanchez – 3 – Let Lodi cut in too easily for the opener and in general and awful performance. He is lucky to be getting a three and once again proves why he does not play important games.
Eric Dier – 6 – An ok performance back in the middle of the back three. When Spurs went behind he was one of the only players able to take the ball and the team forward, trying to create chances for the attackers.
Clement Lenglet – 5 – Not a memorable game for Lenglet. Poor in possession at times and not great defensively.
Matt Doherty – 4 – Ineffective down the right, had a volley which was struck with some force that Wayne Hennessy saved well. Was substituted before the hour for good reason.
Oliver Skipp – 4 – A nothing game for Skipp, you could have completely forgot he was on the pitch before being taken off after 59 minutes.
Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg – 6 – Only played 45 minutes which felt like it may have been planned before to give him a bit of a rest. Played well in the first half and carried the ball forward, which nobody else could do in the first 45. Also kept a clean sheet whilst he was on the pitch
Yves Bissouma – 3 – Awful. Personally believe he was at fault for the first goal by beating a man then not giving it off to the players ahead, but trying to beat another instead and losing it. Seems to not be understanding the role he is playing, a shame after back to back good performances.
Ryan Sessegnon – 3 – Simply not good enough for this level again. Looks tired and weak down the let hand side and can’t create a chance. In desperate need of a break out of the team.
Harry Kane – 4 – Barely got a touch of the ball. Was subbed off at 2-0 down. Conte came out and said that it was only decided in the morning that Kane could start
Embed from Getty ImagesIvan Perisic – 5 – Again in the striker role. Took a few dangerous corners in the first half.
Subs:
Rodrigo Bentancur (on 46th minute) – 6 – A level above the likes of Bissouma and Skipp on the ball. Can keep control of it so easily wasn’t his best game when coming on.
Dejan Kulusevski (on 59th minute) – 6 – Looked a threat at right wing. Looked far more dangerous with him on the pitch.
Bryan Gil (on 59th minute) – 4 – Got bullied out there by Forest players, but will alway struggle to shine when he plays a maximum of 30 minutes if he is lucky.
Richarlison (on 59th minute) – 7 – Had two goals disallowed, one through no fault of his own. Created trouble for a Forest defence who had it easy most of the night.
Djed Spence (on 65th minute) – 6 – Spurs fans finally got to see more than 10 minutes of Spence. Almost immediately got the ball on the edge of his own box and then ran forward up to halfway in the opposition half and one a free kick, something Emerson Royal has never come close to for Spurs.
Embed from Getty ImagesManager:
Antonio Conte – 3 – Eight games in a row where his side haven’t scored in the first half and five domestic games in a row his side have gone 2-0 down. It is not looking good for Conte and Tottenham. The teams he puts out are extremely negative and the performances can back that up. Some fans have already had enough and comparing it to the end of Jose Mourinho’s time at Spurs. Spurs fans will be happy there is a months break from the club in a few days.
