Kulusevski tears down Forest as Spurs claim back-to-back wins - 5 talking points
Tottenham secured back-to-back victories for the first time since October as they beat Nottingham Forest 2-0 on Friday night
Fresh off the back of last weekend's 4-1 win over Newcastle, Tottenham started the brighter of the two sides and almost took the lead within three minutes. Dejan Kulusevski found a pocket of space on the edge of the area and he played the ball through to Son Heung-min, but his effort was saved by Matt Turner.
Tottenham dominated possession during the first-half, but didn't find the breakthrough until just before the break, as Richarlison headed home Kulusevski's delightful cross. Despite a slow start to the second period, Ange Postecoglou's side doubled their advantage in the 65th minute, as Kulusevski pounced on an error to fire home his fifth goal of the campaign.
Spurs were forced to play the final 20 minutes plus stoppage-time with 10 players, however, when Yves Bissouma was sent off for the second time this season. But, despite the man advantage, Forest were unable to get back into the game as Tottenham held out to move level on points with fourth-place Manchester City. Here are five talking points from The City Ground.
1. Richarlison scores again
After a frustrating start to his Tottenham career, Richarlison is finally starting to find his form in a Spurs shirt. The Brazilian scored twice on his return to the starting XI in their victory over Newcastle last Sunday and he found the net once again for Postecoglou's men, this time against Forest.
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Richarlison struggled to get into the game during the opening stages but came alive on the stroke of half-time as he headed home Kulusevski's corner to send the travelling Spurs faithful into delight.
Richarlison celebrates after scoring for Tottenham against Nottingham Forest (Getty Images)2. Johnson's return cut short
A Nottingham Forest player for 14 of his 22 years on the Earth, Brennan Johnson made his first return to The City Ground following his £47.5million move to Tottenham in the summer. Johnson scored 29 times in 109 senior appearances for The Reds and helped fire the club back to the top flight for the first time in 23 years.
Johnson would get a mixed reception from the home faithful. Whenever he got the ball, there were a smattering of boos across Trentside as Forest welcomed back their most expensive ever sale.
However, Johnson's evening was cut short in the 32nd minute after he was forced off following a clash of heads with Willy Boly. The Wales international was pictured with a cut on his forehead as Forest fans sang "Brennan Johnson, he's one of our own" as he walked around the pitch.
Brennan Johnson's return to Nottingham Forest was cut short (Ryan Browne/REX/Shutterstock)3. Turner's howler
Having earned his place back in the Forest XI in place of Odysseas Vlachodimos, Turner was given another chance to impress Steve Cooper after last weekend's 1-1 draw at Wolves. The American, who joined Forest from Arsenal in the summer, made a couple of excellent first-half stops to deny both Son Heung-min and Johnson.
But after questions were raised about his role in Tottenham's opener, there was no doubt who was to blame for Spurs' second. Turner gave the ball away as his lofted pass was intercepted by Kulusevski, who drove into the box and lashed an effort beyond Turner into the back of the net. However, replays showed that Turner could, and probably should, have done much better with the shot going threw his palms.
4. Bissouma sees red
Just minutes after going 2-0 ahead, Tottenham were reduced down to 10 men. It came after Bissouma left a nasty-looking challenge on Ryan Yates, with the Spurs midfielder catching his opponent with his studs high on the shin.
Referee Jarred Gillett initially gave Bissouma a yellow card, but was advised by VAR to go over to his pitch-side monitor to have another look. Gillett inevitably changed his mind and decided to send Bissouma off, leaving Tottenham to play the final 20 minutes plus stoppage-time a man down.
Bissouma will now be banned for four matches, with this being his second red card of the season.
Yves Bissouma saw red following a challenge on Ryan Yates (Getty Images)5. Where it leaves both teams
After five matches without a win, Tottenham have now secured back-to-back victories for the first time since October. Spurs dug deep in the second period to hang on with 10 men and they showed a different side to their game under Postecoglou. The result moves Tottenham level on points with Manchester City in fourth, though Spurs have an inferior goal difference.
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As for Forest, the pressure is mounting on Steve Cooper after failing to win for a sixth successive game. The Reds remain 16th on 14 points, but they could drop down a place if Everton claim a point in their trip to Burnley on Saturday. Meanwhile, 18th place Luton will go to within two points of Forest should they beat an in-form Bournemouth side.
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