Nottingham Forest fell to their first home defeat of the season as they were beaten 2-0 by Tottenham Hotspur, despite putting in an excellent performance.
The Reds were the better side in the first half. But they found themselves a goal down at the break, having given Harry Kane too much time and space, and not been able to make the most of some decent opportunities of their own.
It had looked like being a long afternoon for the hosts when Kane found the bottom corner from the edge of the area with five minutes gone. However, Forest responded and played some terrific football in the following 40 minutes.
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Heung-Min Son and Kane went close for the visitors before the 20-minute mark. But the scoreline could have looked very different at the break, had the Reds been more ruthless.
Ryan Yates had a couple of shots blocked, Lewis O’Brien forced a strong save from Hugo Lloris with a fierce strike from range and Brennan Johnson headed wide a Scott McKenna cross. Then, just before the interval, Morgan Gibbs-White fired narrowly over the bar as the hosts went in at half-time very much still in the game.
It took a magnificent save from Dean Henderson to keep the score at 1-0 just before the hour, denying Kane from the penalty spot after a handball by Steve Cook.
Neco Williams immediately went close at the other end of the pitch. But Kane made sure of the points with less than 10 minutes to go.
Here’s how Reds reporter Sarah Clapson rated the Forest players at the City Ground.
Dean Henderson: Penalty heroics yet again from the Reds goalkeeper. Also made a superb save from Heung-Min Son. A real shame the hosts were twice undone by Harry Kane. Rating: 7.5/10
Joe Worrall: Perfect way to answer his critics. Shook off any flak which had come his way and put in a terrific performance - capped by a goal-saving tackle on Kane in the first half. Rating: 7/10
Steve Cook: Had his goalkeeper to thank for sparing his blushes after a rush of blood resulted in the penalty. Not sure he could argue with the decision, despite claiming he was pushed by Kane. Rating: 5/10
Scott McKenna: Some brilliant bits of defending against class opposition, even if the back line also had some sloppy moments. Played some lovely balls at the other end of the pitch. Rating: 6.5/10
Neco Williams: Really dangerous going forward. Had Tottenham on the back foot on plenty of occasions. Desperately close to bagging an equaliser, too. Rating: 7.5/10
Ryan Yates: A case of what might have been, had he not headed a golden chance wide soon after the re-start. Always looked to make something happen, seeing a couple of efforts blocked in the first half. Rating: 7/10
Lewis O’Brien: Drew a strong save from Hugo Lloris in the first half. Midfield worked tirelessly to give Forest’s attackers a platform to build on. Rating: 7/10
Harry Toffolo: The work he does can sometimes go under the radar, given Williams’ output on the opposite flank. Made some positive runs in a fine term performance, despite the result. Rating: 6/10
Jesse Lingard: Involved in some lovely link-up play, particularly in the first half when the hosts’ attack caused Spurs all sorts of problems. Just needed that killer ball. Rating: 6.5/10
Brennan Johnson: Twice in the first half he put in inviting balls across the face of goal which were crying out to be knocked in. Some really bright moments, putting the visitors under pressure. Rating: 7/10
Morgan Gibbs-White: Looked class at times, on his full debut for the Reds. Tottenham had a hard time keeping a lid on the hosts in the first half. End product was all that was missing. Rating: 7.5/10
Subs
Emmanual Dennis (for Lingard, 69mins): Almost made an immediate impact, with an effort which wasn’t too far away. Rating: 7/10
Remo Freuler (for O’Brien, 75mins): Difficult to make an impact, but good for the summer signing to make his league debut. Rating: 6/10
Taiwo Awoniyi (for Cook, 75mins): Was a useful outlet in the closing minutes, but by then the game was gone. Rating: 6/10
Cheikhou Kouyate (for Yates, 75mins): Tough to really get into the game. Rating: 6/10
Sam Surridge (for Johnson, 90mins): Will have been watching on, eager to get on the pitch with the chances Forest had been creating. Rating: 6/10
Subs not used: Hennessey, Biancone, Colback, Mighten.
Who was your man of the match against Spurs? Have your say in the comments below
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