Three more crucial points
It was far from pretty at times at the City Ground on Sunday afternoon but Tottenham once again managed to secure three points with a 2-0 win against Nottingham Forest. Tipped to leave Nottingham victorious against Steve Cooper's newly-promoted side, it wasn't straightforward at all for the Lilywhites and the hosts caused them major issues throughout.
Forest dominated for long periods and had more possession than Spurs, with the front three of Morgan Gibbs-White, Brennan Johnson and Jesse Lingard extremely lively. Despite having attack after attack, Cooper's men couldn't convert their possession into meaningful chances and Spurs had plenty of opportunities on the counter that they really should have finished off.
Leading 1-0 thanks to Harry Kane's opener in the fifth minute, the vital second came in the final ten minutes with the striker, not long after missing a penalty, heading home from point-blank range from Richarlison's sublime cross. Not at their best in the opening four games of the season, Tottenham, like all good sides do, are winning when playing badly and now sit in third with ten points from a possible 12.
READ MORE: Tottenham player ratings vs Nottingham Forest: Kane the hero, Richarlison impact and Son poor
However, what Conte needs from his players sooner rather than later is to be winning games when playing at the top of their game. Everything clicking into place for Tottenham is a mouth-watering prospect and one that should concern the rest of the Premier League.
Three points is all that matters, though. The issue would be if Spurs weren't playing well and not collecting the points as a result, but that is not the case at present.
"Yeah, I think we deserved to win. It was a difficult game against Nottingham Forest. It was the first time (playing them) and I was really surprised to listen to a lot of noise around the stadium and the pitch, and the Nottingham Forest fans pushed the team a lot. But at the same time, I think we were good to overcome the moments that we suffered. We suffered, and to stay behind," said Conte in his post-match press conference.
"I think in the second half we improved a lot because in the first half we didn't use a lot our midfielders, and we wanted to go in one side, another side, it was easier for Forest to put pressure and to make us feel a bit insecure.
"The second half we improved a lot and we had the chances to score the second goal. We could have scored the third goal with the penalty, but honestly, I don't think he missed it. I think it was a really good save. The keeper was incredible, the save he made. But in the end, three points, I repeat not easy to come here and get three points against Nottingham Forest.
Richarlison impact
Conte is going to find it extremely hard to ignore Richarlison on Wednesday evening at West Ham after another excellent showing against Nottingham Forest. Reduced to a bit-part role off the bench so far since his £60m transfer from Everton, the Brazilian has had a major impact on proceedings when he has been given pitch time.
That was very much the case at the City Ground as he was introduced for the final 17 minutes and provided an assist for Kane to wrap up the game. The Brazilian deserves so much praise for his incredible assist as his cross with the outside of his boot to pick out his teammate was quite simply sublime.
It was no surprise to see Kane running over to celebrate with the new signing as it was that good, leaving him with the simplest of tasks to head home from point-blank range. Not long after, Richarlison angered the home side with some showboating in the corner of the pitch.
Juggling the ball to waste some time, Johnson didn't take too kindly to it and duly swiped at the player and received a booking for his challenge. It did go down extremely well with the Tottenham fans behind the goal, however.
Perhaps a bit of a marmite figure with football fans due to his antics on the pitch at times, what cannot be ignored is his hard work and his will and desire to win at all costs. Everton fans adored the Brazilian, with Tottenham fans now seeing exactly why he was worshipped at Goodison Park.
Conte is going to have to rotate his Tottenham team over the coming weeks, potentially starting on Wednesday against West Ham. While Son Heung-min could be one of the players to drop down to the bench due to his form, Richarlison, who is looking more and more like a transfer no-brainer with every game he plays, should be in there on merit at present and not because of the failings of another player.
Son's struggles
Things are just not going to plan at all for Son. Finishing the last campaign in top form as he won the Premier League Golden Boot, the South Korean just cannot buy a goal at present.
Sunday proved to be another frustrating afternoon for the 30-year-old, thus seeing him hooked for Richarlison for the final 17 minutes. Going close early on with a curling effort that just flashed over the crossbar, his attempt when one-on-one with Dean Henderson not long after only highlighted his current Tottenham woes.
Although the flag was raised for offside seconds later, Son couldn't beat the Forest shot-stopper with his attempted chip easily smothered by the England international. Later seeing a shot saved by Henderson in the second half, he just didn't have an impact on proceedings again and looks a shadow of the player who was at the top of his game in the final few months of 2021/22.
Son has been through these patches of form before but has still managed to score goals and contributed massively to the team. This, however, is something new for the player as he isn't scoring or assisting.
Conte does have plenty of confidence in him, though, and made that perfectly clear in his post-match press conference by stating he will always be a key "nut" in his team.
"I understood Sonny is a really sensible player. He's really sensible and a top man, a really good guy," said the Italian. "If I am to make an example, I have to find a husband for my daughter I'd like to be a person like him. You understand? Sometimes is good but at same time I think so much sensible.
"In this moment maybe he's suffering a lot that he's not scoring. But he has to continue in this way and trust himself because in every game he has the opportunity, the chance to score and then he has to be calm. We trust him and his teammates.
"You know very well the importance of this player with Harry Kane and for sure he's a bit disappointed that he's not scoring but no problem. For me, Sonny will always be a nut in my team, in my ambition of football."
Desperately needing a goal to kickstart his season, Son needs it now more than ever with Richarlison applying some intense pressure after another starring role.
What happened to Spence at the City Ground
Djed Spence was back in the Tottenham squad for the first time since the opening day as he returned to his former loan club Nottingham Forest. Outstanding during his year on loan at the City Ground, his form came to the attention of Fabio Paratici and the Spurs managing director of football made his move this summer.
Missing out on some valuable time with the Tottenham squad after joining following their summer tour of South Korea, the England U21 international has been trying to get up to speed with Conte's ways since then. Speaking to the media on Friday, the Italian admitted that he is seeing "a lot of desire and a lot of will" from Spence on the training pitch at Hotspur Way,
Benefitting from Lucas Moura and Bryan Gil's absence for Sunday's match at the City Ground, Spence and Pape Matar Sarr both came into the matchday 20 to take on Steve Cooper's men. Ahead of the game, the right wing-back was greeted by Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis as they shared a touching moment on the pitch a good hour before kick-off.
After coming out to warm up with the rest of the Spurs squad, the 22-year-old was given a standing ovation by the Forest fans in the main stand as he warmed up in the technical area with the other substitutes. That wasn't all for him as he again received an ovation when going back inside minutes before kick-off, before receiving another on his return moments before kick-off.
This time Forest manager Cooper and his assistant Alan Tate gave the player a warm embrace as he made his way past them. Receiving another ovation when entering the pitch for his Spurs bow in the closing minutes, he may well have been booed by the home faithful had he converted in the box after the ball fell kindly to him following Richarlison's effort on goal.
A big chance for the player to make it a dream Tottenham debut, seconds later Conte could be seen on the touchline giving him a simple instruction as he shouted and gestured for him to get back into position. It may have been the dying minutes of the game but the boss wanted his player in position with Forest pushing on in hope of pulling one back.
It was a good day for Spence and there are plenty more of those to come for him at Tottenham.
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