Tottenham Hotspur 0-3 Nottingham Forest: Spurs fail to do anything in crushing six-pointer defeat

LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 22: Pape Matar Sarr of Tottenham Hotspur during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Nottingham Forest at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on March 22, 2026 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Izzy Poles - AMA/Getty Images) | Getty Images In what had turned out to be the biggest match of the season for Tottenham Hotspur as the side hosted Nottingham Forest in a crucial six-pointer, the Lilywhites failed to capitalize on a strong spell of play before falling to a 3-0 defeat on Sunday. With the club making note of the importance of the home match and the fans taking to the streets near Tottenham Hotspur Stadium to share their believe in getting over the line, the emotions were everything for the home supporters to back the side into getting a positive result.

Struggling through the first few minutes of the match as Forest did well to press Spurs and had Elliot Anderson truly being a star-studded player for a reeling side, Spurs flipped the switch thanks to Mathys Tel. Having the most dribbles, take-ons, and ambition in the side (barring Richarlison), Tel put flair out on the pitch to get something right for the side. Winning corner after corner for the club, Tel’s deliveries were promising as the best moment came in the 10th minute when Richarlison looked to connect on the perfect back-post header, but the header went wide of the post.

Flipping the field and putting pressure on Forest — with an own goal almost occurring off a Kevin Danso throw-in, Tel picking apart Ola Aina, and the team having eight corners in 30 minutes of the match — the biggest question came on a challenge from Ibrahim Sangaré. After winning the ball off Tel near the box (as Tel took a hard challenge from the midfielder), the Forest player had a one-on-one challenge with Archie Gray that saw the studs go up into the thigh of the Spurs midfielder. With calls going against the Spurs all year in that realm, a card was not only not shown for the Forest player, but a free kick was ruled for the away side.

Believing that Spurs were going to get the opening goal and dictate the game, Forest’s first corner in the final seconds of the shown 45 forced Guglielmo Vicario to make a flashy save by punching the shot over the net. The ensuing corner from Neco Williams found Igor Jesus (a player who did nothing all half) for a free header at the back post and into the back of the net for a 1-0 lead to Forest. Spurs tried to get one back in the final seconds of the added time as Tel fired a curling shot to the top right corner, but a tip save off the crossbar from Sells left the loose ball free for Cristian Romero to attempt a header.