Tottenham headed into the game looking to continue their unbeaten start to the season, following wins over Southampton and Wolves and a draw with Chelsea.
Forest, though, are a defensively sound unit and were expected to prove a stern test for Spurs. The newly-promoted outfit had conceded just three league goals before Sunday.
And, when all was said and done at the City Ground, Tottenham were able to come away with a 2-0 win.
Forest started well but it was Spurs who took the lead after just five minutes. Dejan Kulusevski broke and found Harry Kane who slotted home from the edge of the box.
It’s a milestone goal for Harry Kane as Tottenham take the lead!
✨ 200 league goals ✨ pic.twitter.com/CKQtfigrlz
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) August 28, 2022
Following the goal, Nottingham Forest went back to dominating the rest of the first 45 but were unable to carve out a big chance. Spurs, meanwhile, struggled to get going, much like they have done in several first halves already this season.
However, for all Forest’s dominance, Tottenham nearly took a 2-0 lead early in the second half. Perisic floated the ball into the box towards Kane and Steve Cook opted to clear the ball with his hand. But Kane then missed from 12 yards.
𝗣𝗘𝗡𝗔𝗟𝗧𝗬 𝗦𝗔𝗩𝗘𝗗! Dean Henderson with an amazing save to deny Harry Kane 👐 pic.twitter.com/1qGjGjK7HM
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) August 28, 2022
𝐊𝐚𝐧𝐞 𝐱 𝐑𝐢𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐧!
What an assist 🔥 pic.twitter.com/G6bBvuoP4R
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) August 28, 2022
📰 Table Of Contents
Nottingham Forest player ratings
Dean Henderson (6) – Struggled to see Kane’s shot before he scored but he then saved a penalty 55 minutes in.
Joe Worall (7) – Hardly put a foot wrong for Forest, making three tackles, two interceptions, one clearance off the line and one last man tackle.
Steve Cook (2.5) – Was out of position for the Kane opener. He then gave away a penalty with a bizarre handball. An afternoon to forget for Cook.
Scott Mckenna (6.5) – A very solid showing from the defender. He won all of his ground duels and had a high passing accuracy throughout the 90.
Neco Williams (5) – Offered little going forward and was average defensively.
Ryan Yates (5.5) – His runs from deep caused Tottenham some issues and his passing was good.
Lewis O’Brien (6) – Should have done better in the 50/50 with Kulusveski in the build-up to the opener. Outside of that, though, his passing was excellent and he helped Forest control the midfield in the first half.
Harry Toffolo (4.5) – Was poor in attack for the most part.
Morgan Gibbs-White (6) – Caused issues for Spurs with his pace and quick feet.
Jesse Lingard (5) – Made a number of key passes but was not much of a goal threat himself. Off after 70 minutes.
Brennan Johnson (5) – Pressed Tottenham well but his shooting was not great.
Substitutes
Emmanuel Dennis (3) – Had one shot and it was off target.
Taiwo Awoniyi (3) – Offered very little attacking threat.
Remo Freuler (3) – Struggled to have any real impact on the match.
Cheikhou Kouyate (4) – Made a couple of good tackles but nothing to write home about.
Tottenham player ratings
Hugo Lloris (6) – Did not have too much to do but pulled off a few good saves.
Davinson Sanchez (6) – Looked fairly comfortable covering for Romero once again, made a number of good tackles and was solid in the air.
Eric Dier (4.5) – Was Spurs’ weakest centre-back vs Forest, winning no ground duels, making no tackles and no interceptions.
Ben Davies (6.5) – Another very solid display from Davies at left-centre-back.
Emerson Royal (4.5) – Looked shaky defensively and did little at the other end.
Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg (6.5) – Was one of Tottenham’s better players in the first half. He won all of his ground duels, his passing was good and he made some crucial interceptions.
Rodrigo Bentancur (4.5) – Pretty quiet display from the South American. He won two of four aerial duels, one of three ground duels and lost possession nine times.
Ivan Perisic (5.5) – Good cross to Kane that won Spurs a penalty. Continues to struggle as games go on though.
Dejan Kulusevski (5.5) – Clever pass to find Kane for his opening goal.
Heung-min Son (4.5) – Once again struggled to get involved in the attacking play for much of the match.
Harry Kane (7) – Decent finish for his opening goal but he then missed a penalty. Eventually got his second goal 81 minutes in.
Substitutes
Richarlison (6) – Caused Forest all sorts of issues when he came on and provided the assist for Kane’s second.
Ryan Sessegnon (3) – Did little of note when he came on.
Yves Bissouma (N/A)
Djed Spence (N/A)
Sam Surridge (N/A)
Fan reaction
Even the dog is bored of Tottenham 😂🐶 pic.twitter.com/97ZvWEzMmQ
— Matty (@matty19910) August 28, 2022
God spurs and Watford are the two worst teams to watch, such negative football.
— Lonz🔴⚪️ (@LonzAFC) August 28, 2022
Tottenham are not a good side, they’re just lucky.
— WelBeast (@WelBeast) August 28, 2022
Expert view
Harry Kane scores his 200th career league goal, and moves onto 186 in the Premier League.
Only 1 more to draw level with Andy Cole. 🐓 pic.twitter.com/TWe59ZdtTf
— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) August 28, 2022
Only three players in the competition’s history have reached 10 assists in fewer games than Dejan Kulusevski. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/CEaSNK1mlK
— Squawka (@Squawka) August 28, 2022
Forest losing at half-time but cheered off the pitch. Tells you how it went. Spurs got the early goal, missed more chances but then were second best for large parts. Son off it again and most loose with the ball. #THFC
— Jonathan Veal (@jonathandveal83) August 28, 2022
This Tottenham side are actually horrible to watch 😂
— Ben Browning (@BenBrowning3) August 28, 2022
Son looked disappointed (maybe with himself) but he can have no complaints. #THFC
— Michael Bridge (@MichaelBridge_) August 28, 2022
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