Nottingham Forest outclass relegation rivals Tottenham to steer clear of drop

A motivational shout from Cristian Romero before kick-off failed to inspire Spurs at the start of this crucial encounter, with Forest adapting faster to the action.

Soon enough the momentum shifted towards Tottenham who created the match's initial clear chance as Mathys Tel's corner found Richarlison whose effort sailed wide across the goalmouth.

The home side went perilously close shortly after with some luck involved when Igor Jesus nodded Kevin Danso's lengthy throw onto his own upright.

Tottenham maintained the assault through much of the opening period but in a fixture carrying more of a desperation to avoid defeat than outright victory opportunities remained scarce.

Those efforts unravelled right at the interval however as Forest delivered a devastating blow.

The opening goal by Jesus carried a straightforward quality as he rose above the crowd at the back post to direct Neco Williams's set-piece back into the net's far side leaving Tottenham manager Igor Tudor with much to reflect on during the break.

The assist maker nearly added his name to the scoresheet just ten minutes into the second half when Williams found himself unmarked at the far edge to connect with Elliot Anderson's pass but directed his attempt firmly at Guglielmo Vicario.

Tension was mounting within the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and it quickly became heartbreak as the team fell further behind.

Callum Hudson-Odoi played a key role in the sequence weaving to the line before pulling the pass across for former Tottenham interest Morgan Gibbs-White to finish from close range.

Tottenham rarely looked capable of mounting a comeback with Pape Matar Sarr's powerful strike which Ibrahim Sangare denied effectively representing their nearest effort at gaining any consolation.

Aston Villa's win over West Ham United at least prevented Tudor's squad from slipping into the relegation zone on this occasion but Nottingham Forest's late third via Taiwo Awoniyi who converted Williams's supply led to fans streaming out and jeers ringing out at the end underscoring the mounting pressure on Tudor's position after such a loss.