Just as Tottenham Hotspur appeared to be generating some momentum, a limp display and an embarrassing defeat at Nottingham Forest. Ibrahim Sangaré leathered in a sensational first-time strike to cap the 3-0 victory and a deeply satisfying week for Sean Dyche, whose side have established daylight between them and the relegation zone, moving five points clear of West Ham.
An unedifying defeat for Spurs was underpinned by another erratic performance by their goalkeeper, Guglielmo Vicario, who was at fault for Forest’s first two goals, both scored by Callum Hudson-Odoi; Vicario’s hospital pass led to Forest’s opener and his positioning was exposed for a freakish second. By the end, the oles were out in force on a truly miserable afternoon for Thomas Frank.
Spurs hoped to build on Tuesday’s victory over Slavia Prague and win three games in a row for the first time since October last season. Frank made two changes from midweek, Rodrigo Bentancur and Randal Kolo Muani promoted to the starting lineup but were flat from the first whistle and fortunate that after arriving to the penalty spot unmarked Sangaré’s fourth-minute header from Nicolò Savona’s hanging cross crashed against the base of a post. The ball cannoned to Igor Jesus, whose effort was blocked by Bentancur, and then Vicario was called into action, springing to his left to keep out a thudded Neco Williams effort.
