After losing to Nottingham Forest, Tottenham Hotspur suffered their second consecutive defeat, marking the first time in 27 years they have lost to Forest in the league.
This match was the 100th meeting between the two teams. In the previous 99 encounters, Spurs had won 50, drawn 20, and lost 29, and they had won the last 6 league encounters against Forest.
Nottingham Forest 1-0 Tottenham
However, the teams’ form this season has been dramatically different.
After 17 rounds, Tottenham is in 11th place, while Forest is in 4th place.
This is also the first time since 2008 that Spurs have found themselves in the lower half of the table at Christmas.
Tottenham’s recent performance has been disappointing
Following their 3-6 loss to Liverpool, Spurs have managed only 1 win, 1 draw, and 3 losses in their last 5 Premier League games, conceding 4 goals to Chelsea and 6 goals to Liverpool.
Meanwhile, Nottingham Forest has won three consecutive games, with their last defeat coming against Manchester City.
Spurs’ poor form has led to mounting criticism of manager Ange Postecoglou, with his dismissal odds now the highest among all Premier League teams.
Postecoglou faces growing speculation about his future following Tottenham’s recent struggles
However, Postecoglou has stated he will not change his tactics.
Once again, Spurs struggled to break down their opponents and were punished by a counterattack.
In the 28th minute, White played a through ball to Elanga, who ran into the box and calmly slotted the ball home with his left foot.
Elanga scored the only goal of the match
After the loss to Nottingham Forest, Spurs now face a four-game losing streak and are in 11th place in the Premier League.
At the same time, they have seen several of their records broken.
Firstly, Spurs’ 16-match unbeaten Boxing Day Premier League record was snapped.
Tottenham suffered their first league defeat to Forest
Secondly, their six-match winning streak against Forest in the Premier League was also broken, marking their first league defeat to Forest since March 1993.
Thirdly, Spurs’ three-match winning streak against Forest came to an end, with this being their first defeat to Forest since a 0-2 loss in the League Cup on November 9, 2022.
Fourthly, Postecoglou’s perfect record against Nottingham Forest and Nuno has also been shattered.
Tottenham’s 3 match winning streak against Forest has come to an end
Finally, since their 3-2 comeback victory over Bournemouth in 2022, Spurs have failed to win any of their 16 Premier League away matches in which they trailed at halftime.
Can Tottenham Recover from Their Worst Run Under Postecoglou?
With Tottenham’s struggles continuing, their defeat to Nottingham Forest further exposed defensive weaknesses and tactical vulnerabilities. The team’s inability to adapt against compact, counter-attacking sides has led to mounting frustration among fans and increased pressure on Postecoglou. While the manager remains committed to his attacking philosophy, Spurs must find a way to regain consistency or risk slipping further down the table. The next few fixtures could be crucial in determining whether they can salvage their season or face an even deeper crisis.
