Tottenham vs Nottingham Forest LIVE!
Nottingham Forest got the job done early at Hotspur Stadium as they ran out victors over Tottenham.
Elliot Anderson’s long-range effort and Chris Wood’s header had them two to the good with just 16 minutes played, and, despite their best efforts, Spurs could not respond as they were cruelly denied in the second half by Harry Toffolo’s acrobatic goalline clearance and a stunning Matz Sels save.
Richarlison would pull one back late on for the hosts, but it would only halve the deficit. Five minutes of added time came and went as Spurs ran out of steam, resigned to an eighteenth defeat of the season.
For Forest, it is back to third place in the Premier League as they earn a huge three points in the race for Champions League qualification.
Tottenham vs Nottingham Forest latest news
- Kick-off: 8pm BST | Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
- GOAL! Forest lead early through Anderson
- GOAL! Wood onside as he scores again
- GOALLINE CLEARANCE! Toffolo denies Kulusevski
- GOAL! Richarlison pulls one back
FULL TIME: Tottenham 1-2 Nottm Forest
21:58 , Arthur FerridgeThat does it at Hotspur Stadium - five minutes of added time comes to nothing as Spurs lose again and Forest return to 3rd in the Premier League.
Dan Kilpatrick at Hotspur Stadium
21:50 , Arthur FerridgeIt's been coming for Richarlison, who twice put headers wide in the first half and had twice tested Sels since the interval. The Brazilian has been rusty and a little wasteful but he usually makes an impact and it's now back-to-back goals in the Premier League.
GOAL! Tottenham 1-2 Nottm Forest
21:48 , Arthur Ferridge87mins: Richarlison finally scores a header! Sixth time the charm.
It is Romero’s cross, and Richarlison gets both power and placement behind it as he directs it beyond Sels.
Spurs within one with three minutes to play. Anyone’s game!
Tottenham 0-2 Nottm Forest
21:45 , Arthur Ferridge84mins: Spurs are asking most of the right questions, but that was not one of them from Djed Spence. He badly miss-hits an effort and shanks it behind for a goal kick.
Tottenham 0-2 Nottm Forest
21:44 , Arthur Ferridge83mins: You would be shocked if Spurs didn’t manage to nick one here. They more than deserve it, but just haven’t quite been able to get it over the line.
They will be asking themselves: What more can we do?
Tottenham 0-2 Nottm Forest
21:42 , Arthur Ferridge80mins: Matz Sels, the player that you are.
Richarlison is supplied another mouth-watering cross, but Sels gets down to his header remarkably quickly, batting it away from the corner at the last second.
He wants that Golden Glove.
Tottenham 0-2 Nottm Forest
21:39 , Arthur FerridgeThe Toffolo clearance, for those interested.
"It defied physics" 👨🔬
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) April 21, 2025
Harry Toffolo with an UNBELIEVABLE clearance off the line! 🫨 pic.twitter.com/HVHNKwRhKd
Tottenham 0-2 Nottm Forest
21:37 , Arthur Ferridge75mins: Richarlison has really struggled today. He Tel whips another cross in to him and, while it was not the easiest for him to deal with, he fails to outmuscle Murillo and Milenkovic.
Tottenham 0-2 Nottm Forest
21:3371mins: Tel’s corner falls right to Richarlison’s feet, but the Brazilian can’t quite react in time to do anything with it.
Later, Danso takes a speculative shot from range which fizzes just wide.
Dan Kilpatrick at Hotspur Stadium
21:31 , Arthur FerridgeSpurs now playing more of a 4-4-2 set up after the introduction of Solanke. It's a real surprise to see Richarlison continuing on his first start since early February but perhaps Postecoglou wants to get minutes in his legs before another start at Anfield next weekend, when the Australian will presumably ring the changes ahead of their Europa League semi-final first leg.
Tottenham 0-2 Nottm Forest
21:28 , Arthur Ferridge67mins: Spurs really can’t buy a goal.
A defensive calamity for Forest sees an attempted clearance awkwardly deflected into the area for Richarlison to run onto, but his shot is smothered by Sels.
Johnson and Solanke replace Odobert and Kulusevski.
Tottenham 0-2 Nottm Forest
21:27 , Arthur Ferridge66mins: Postecoglou is prepping Brennan Johnson and Dominic Solanke to come on.
Tottenham 0-2 Nottm Forest
21:2665mins: With 25 minutes remaining, we are getting dangerously close to ‘can’t buy a goal’ territory.
Spurs have been asking all the right questions, but still not demanding particularly challenging answers from Forest, Toffolo’s wonder clearance aside.
Tottenham 0-2 Nottm Forest
21:25 , Arthur Ferridge64mins: Unbelievable goalline clearance from Toffolo! That is spectacular.
Kulusevski heads across goal from a tight angle and it looks nailed on to have halved the deficit for Spurs, but Toffolo keeps it out at full stretch.
Stunner.
Tottenham 0-2 Nottm Forest
21:22 , Arthur Ferridge60mins: After a flurry of activity early in the half, the air seems to have come out of this match somewhat.
Forest’s addition of Hudson-Odoi suggests they’d like another goal, but their play does not mirror that sentiment.
Tottenham 0-2 Nottm Forest
21:1957mins: Forest roll the dice. Hudson-Odoi and Yates replace Dominguez and Danilo.
Tottenham 0-2 Nottm Forest
21:16 , Arthur Ferridge55mins: That could have been the game! A blistering counter from Forest as Chris Wood plays in Morgan Gibbs-White, but his shot is just wide.
That was Forest’s first shot since Wood’s second goal, remarkably.
Tottenham 0-2 Nottm Forest
21:14 , Arthur Ferridge53mins: Spurs have been attacking near constantly for the opening exchanges of this half, but haven’t quite been able to threaten Sels.
The momentum is very much in the host’s favour at the minute.
Tottenham 0-2 Nottm Forest
21:13 , Arthur Ferridge52mins: VAR is now back in action.
Dan Kilpatrick at Hotspur Stadium
21:11It's a surprise to see both Spurs centre-halves withdrawn at the break. Van de Ven may have been pre-planned given the way Postecoglou has carefully managed the Dutchman since he returned from injury but Romero may have forced his manager's hand with a reckless first half display. The Argentine had been booked and you would not have bet against him picking up a second yellow card.
Tottenham 0-2 Nottm Forest
21:08 , Arthur Ferridge47mins: A threatening run from Tel is cut short about as soon as he gets within tackling range of a defender.
Tottenham 0-2 Nottm Forest
21:07 , Arthur Ferridge45mins: VAR is not currently active as a fire alarm has been pulled at Stockley Park.
#TOTNFO
— Premier League Match Centre (@PLMatchCentre) April 21, 2025
The match will be operating without VAR until further notice due to a fire alarm at the VAR Hub at Stockley Park.
Tottenham 0-2 Nottm Forest
21:06 , Arthur FerridgeWe are back underway for the second half at Hotspur Stadium.
Spurs are still chasing the game - can Forest hold on?
Dan Kilpatrick at Hotspur Stadium
20:55 , Arthur FerridgeSome boos at the whistle. Spurs were embarrassingly lax in the opening 16 minutes (again) but have shown enough since to suggest the game isn't over. Odobert & Tel have been very bright, advancing their cases to start vs Bodo. Richarlison and Kulusevski rusty, Romero seemingly having a red mist day.
HALFTIME: Tottenham 0-2 Nottm Forest
20:50 , Arthur FerridgeThe first half ends, and it is one defined by missed chances for Spurs, who are booed off by a section of the home support.
Tottenham 0-2 Nottm Forest
20:48 , Arthur Ferridge45mins: Forest will hope the three minutes of added time pass quickly. They seem more in need of a halftime pep talk than their hosts.
Dan Kilpatrick at Hotspur Stadium
20:47Spurs have shown enough since Forest's second goal to suggest the game is not over yet, with Odobert and Tel very lively. They could do with a goal before half-time, though, and you wonder if they will rue two missed headers from Richarlison in the last few minutes.
Tottenham 0-2 Nottm Forest
20:4644mins: Tel’s cross is headed wide by Richarlison (again).
Spurs will feel hard done by if they do not manage to score before halftime. They have been the much better team in the last quarter of an hour.
Tottenham 0-2 Nottm Forest
20:45 , Arthur Ferridge43mins: Spurs look to counter from Forest’s free kick, but Murillo says no.
He tackles Odobert calmly before dumping Kulusevski off the ball.
Tottenham 0-2 Nottm Forest
20:4441mins: A Spursy moment here. Odobert puts a great cross in the mixer which both Richarlison and Tel leap for, but it is the Brazilian who gets there first to nod wide.
Tel looked rather the more convincing option there but another chance goes begging for Spurs.
In a moment of apparent frustration, Romero is booked for a reckless tackle.
Tottenham 0-2 Nottm Forest
20:42 , Arthur Ferridge40mins: Tel misses a huge opportunity!
Williams makes an absolute hash of an attempted clearance, gifting a perfect chance for Tel to shoot from about 10 yards out, but he blazes his effort well wide and into the bleachers.
Tottenham 0-2 Nottm Forest
20:39 , Arthur Ferridge38mins: Richarlison’s high boot catches Dominguez to give Forest a free kick in their own box.
Spurs have improved since the dismal opening quarter of an hour, but Forest have been more than equal to them.
Tottenham 0-2 Nottm Forest
20:37 , Arthur Ferridge35mins: Romero hits a full-blooded tackle to halt Elanga’s latest foray forward.
Tottenham 0-2 Nottm Forest
20:32 , Arthur Ferridge30mins: Odobert looks really bright so far. He makes a smart dribble into the Forest box, beating a few men before he is dispossessed.
Moments later, he plays a very dangerous cross low across the six-yard box.
If you had to put your money on the next scorer (or assister), he wouldn’t be a bad bet.
Tottenham 0-2 Nottm Forest
20:26 , Arthur Ferridge25mins: Spence looks to dribble into the area but Neco Williams hits a precise sliding tackle to deny him the opportunity. Fantastic technique from the Wales international.
Kulusevski takes a speculative shot at goal, but it is easily stopped by Sels.
Tottenham 0-2 Nottm Forest
20:24 , Arthur Ferridge22mins: Spurs have woken up a little now, enjoying a spell of possession in the attacking third, but Forest are more than equal to all of their attempts thus far.
Tel heads over to end the attack.
Dan Kilpatrick at Hotspur Stadium
20:22 , Arthur FerridgeIt's all been ridiculously easy for Forest so far. Every time they get in a crossing position, there's no pressure on the ball whatsoever, and Wood is seemingly able to escape Romero and van de Ven at will.
Tottenham 0-2 Nottm Forest
20:21 , Arthur Ferridge20mins: Odobert’s shot forces a save from Sels, who gets down to the ball easily and could probably have held onto the shot, but his stop is routine nonetheless.
Resulting corner comes to nothing.
GOAL! Tottenham 0-2 Nottm Forest
20:19 , Arthur Ferridge16mins: Its Chris Wood again! And this one will surely count.
Its a deep Forest set piece, played out side to Elanga. Who else but Wood would be there to head it home? Vicario tries to claim but the big Kiwi beats him to it.
Dan Kilpatrick at Hotspur Stadium
20:14 , Arthur FerridgeSpurs need to switch on to avoid a mood-sapping drubbing here. Wood was fractionally offside but there was no pressure on the cross and it was so easy for the striker to ghost beyond the hosts' back line.
Tottenham 0-1 Nottm Forest
20:13 , Arthur Ferridge12mins: Chris Wood is offside by a margin so fine only VAR could spot it - his goal is disallowed. Major let off for the hosts.
GOAL! Tottenham 0-2 Nottm Forest
20:12 , Arthur Ferridge10mins: Another one! Forest double their lead as Wood taps Anderson’s cross home.
Dan Kilpatrick at Hotspur Stadium
20:09 , Arthur FerridgeI was about to say that Spurs had started crisply but five minutes in they find themselves in a familiar position, having conceded an early goal in the Premier League. Anderson's strike took a deflection but, just as at Wolves last weekend, Spurs fail to clear their lines at a set-piece or pick up a man on the edge of the box.
GOAL! Tottenham 0-1 Nottm Forest
20:07 , Arthur Ferridge4mins: Forest lead early! They couldn’t have asked for a much better start than that.
Its an early corner and Forest punish Spurs. It falls to Eliot Anderson on the edge of the box and his shot is deflected by Bentancur, bouncing awkwardly over Vicario.
Tottenham 0-0 Nottm Forest
20:04 , Arthur Ferridge2mins: Spurs start well, launching a couple shots at goal, but nothing comes of them.
Tel looks lively from the off.
KICKOFF
20:01 , Arthur FerridgeThe visitors get us underway at Hotspur Stadium.
Less than 20 minutes to kickoff
19:43 , Arthur FerridgeWe are not far away now from a crunch tie in the race for European qualification. Less than 20 to go!
Dan Kilpatrick at Hotspur Stadium
19:27 , Arthur FerridgeHear analysis from Dan Kilpatrick ahead of kickoff:
🎙️ Hear from @Dan_KP ahead of kickoff
— Standard Sport (@standardsport) April 21, 2025
LIVE: https://t.co/wJxyGiRcEf #TOTNFO | #PL pic.twitter.com/ACbsojxCLd
Look away, Spurs fans
19:16No two teams in the Premier League have more different points tallies this season relative to last season than Nottingham Forest and Tottenham.
Forest have gained 28 this year relative to last year’s tally.
Spurs have lost 23.
Ange speaks ahead of kickoff: Momentum crucial to Europa League run
19:08 , Arthur FerridgeAnge Postecoglou shares his views ahead of kickoff.
On tonight’s goal: “Coming off the other night we want a continuation of our performance. There is a real focus on discipline in our Europa League performance and we will need that again against a tough opponent today.”
On momentum: “I think its important, momentum, we know in the league what our position is and we have a massive opportunity in Europe. The best way to prepare for that is to keep our performances up.”
On focusing on Europe and disregarding league form: “That doesn’t mean we need to be dismissive of our league form. We have had some challenges this year, and we still have five or six games in the league. We have the squad now, so hopefully we can maintain some consistency. Europa League is a great opportunity for us, there’s no hiding from that, it is an opportunity to win a trophy for a club which hasn’t won one for quite a while.”
Hudson-Odoi dropped to the bench
18:59 , Arthur FerridgeThe former Chelsea man has four goal involvements (3G 1A) in his last 16 appearances, and it seems Nuno has lost patience.
He does not have a fantastic record against Spurs, too, with no goals and just one assist in nine career appearances against them.
His pace could be crucial against Spurs’ high line, though, and may pose a risk as a super sub.
Nottingham Forest confirmed XI: Wood starts
18:48 , Arthur FerridgeHere is how Nuno’s squad will shape up.
Confirmed Nottingham Forest XI: Sels, Murillo, Williams, Anderson, Gibbs-White, Toffolo, Dominguez, Elanga, Danilo, Milenkovic, Wood
Subs: Miguel, Morato, Sangare, Awoniyi, Hudson-Odoi, Moreno, Yates, Sosa, Abbott
Confirmed Tottenham team news: Maddison on the bench
18:47 , Arthur FerridgePostecoglou names his starting XI.
Spurs confirmed XI: Vicario; Porro, Romero, van de Ven, Spence; Sarr, Bentancur; Kulusevski, Odobert, Tel; Richarlison
Subs: Kinsky, Davies, Danso, Gray, Bissouma, Bergvall, Maddison, Johnson, Solanke
Team news up next
18:40 , Arthur FerridgeLienups should be with us in five minutes.
Will Richarlison feature for Spurs? Will James Maddison?
Can Chris Wood retain his starting spot after struggling against Everton?
All will be revealed...
What would a win mean for Tottenham?
18:34This season is effectively a write-off for Spurs, at least domestically.
A win would certainly make the situation a little easier on the eye, though, sending them from 16th to 13th.
It would also help them carry some much-needed momentum from last week’s win over Frankfurt into the Europa League semi-final, where they will meet north Swedish side Bodo/Glimt.
What has become of Forest of late?
18:25 , Arthur FerridgeForest have enjoyed a transformative campaign this season. After dodging relegation last year by just six points, they looked for long stretches of the new campaign to be favourites for Champions League qualification.
There have been some memorable results: last month’s win over Man City, a 7-0 thrashing of Brighton, a league double over Man United.
But as the top-five race grows increasingly competitive, a pair of losses to Everton and Aston Villa has seen Forest drop to sixth in the table.
That will be good enough only for next year’s Europa League, though a win would put the Reds back up to third, demoting Chelsea, Newcastle, and City.
This is a pivotal tie in the run-in, not just for Forest.
Can Richarlison replace Solanke in today's lineup?
18:03 , Arthur FerridgeAnge Postecoglou has hailed Tottenham's match-winner in Germany, Dominic Solanke, saying his selfless work rate is key to the side's chances of success.
Solanke scored the only goal from the penalty spot as Spurs beat Eintracht Frankfurt 1-0 in the Europa League to set up a semi-final against Bodo/Glimt next month.
It was the England international's first goal in 12 games but Postecoglou says there is more to Solanke's game than finishing.
Nuno Espirito Santo returns to Hotspur Stadium
17:59 , Arthur FerridgeThere is certainly no love lost between Nuno Espirito Santo and Tottenham. The Portuguese spent an all-too-brief spell in charge of Spurs in 2021, lasting less than four months as he was sacked with the Lilywhites ninth in the Premier League table.
He must be somewhat bemused by the club’s standing nearly four years down the line, where Ange Postecoglou has faced intense scrutiny from fans but gone seemingly uncriticised by club executives despite sitting 16th in the Premier League.
Who knows where the club might be if Nuno had been afforded the same patience as Postecoglou?
In any case, he will look to get his own back this evening. A Forest win would confirm the league double after they won 1-0 at the City Ground on Boxing Day.
Prediction: Resurgent Tottenham back on form?
17:55 , Arthur FerridgeThis week, all the talk has been around Tottenham’s against-the-odds win over Eintracht Frankfurt which saw them progress to the Europa League semi-final.
Spurs’ momentum is opposite that of Forest, who have lost consecutive matches to Aston Villa and Everton.
But Postecoglou’s men are far from predictable this season. Even when everything has seemed to be in their favour, they have found new and creative ways to fall short.
If ever there was an opportunity for Forest to put the shakes to bed and return to form, this is it.
Nottingham Forest win, 1-2
Nottingham Forest team news: Ola Aina to miss out
17:50 , Arthur FerridgeA nagging calf injury has sidelined Ola Aina, keeping the full back out since Forest’s win over Man United earlier this month. Taiwo Awoniyi is also set to miss out with a hamstring injury.
Forest received a boost last time out, though, as both Chris Wood and Anthony Elanga returned to the matchday squad for last weekend’s 0-1 home loss to Everton.
Wood started that match, while Elanga played half an hour off the bench in the second half.
Early Tottenham team news: Will Maddison feature?
17:45 , Arthur FerridgeThe question marks tonight surround James Maddison, who is a doubt for the match after suffering a knock in the first half of Tottenham’s Europa League win over Eintracht Frankfurt last Thursday.
Heung Min Son will miss out with a foot injury. He is joined in the physio’s room by Radu Dragusin, who is out for the season with an ACL injury.
Dejan Kulusevski and Kevin Danso returned from their respective injuries against Frankfurt, both making brief appearances off the bench.
How to watch Tottenham vs Nottingham Forest
17:40 , Arthur FerridgeTonight’s match will be broadcast live on Sky Sports and NOW TV.
Coverage will begin from 6:30pm ahead of an 8pm kickoff. Team news is expected at 7:45pm.
Lens manager Will Still will take on punditry duties, joining Jamie Carragher in the studio.
When is kick off?
17:35 , Arthur FerridgeTottenham vs Nottingham Forest will kick off at 8pm.
It will take place at Hotspur Stadium in North London.
Good evening
17:26 , Arthur FerridgeHello and welcome to The Standard’s LIVE coverage of Tottenham Hotspur vs Nottingham Forest in the Premier League.
Follow along for team news and live updates from Dan Kilpatrick at Hotspur Stadium.
