PLAYER RATINGS: Micky van de Ven scored a superb first Spurs goal at home as half-time subs make an impact after one star was hooked for lacking urgency
Tottenham produced an emphatic performance to beat Nottingham Forest 3-1 on Sunday and leapfrog Aston Villa into fourth place in the Premier League standings.
It was a dominant display for Ange Postecoglou‘s side who led after just 15 minutes against a relegation-threatened Forest side.
Murillo’s own goal opened the floodgates for the hosts as follow-up rockets from Micky van de Ven and Pedro Porro heaped more misery on Nuno Espirito Santo‘s side.
Chris Wood scored Forest’s only goal on what was a disappointing afternoon for the visitor’s who remain above the drop zone on goal difference.
Mail Sport’s Ivan Speck gives his player ratings from the Tottenham Hotspur stadium.
Tottenham produced an emphatic performance to beat Nottingham Forest 3-1 on Sunday
Defeat for Nottingham Forest leaves them hanging above the relegation zone on goal difference
Tottenham Hotspur (4-2-3-1)
Guglielmo Vicario 6 – Couldn’t be faulted for the Forest goal, but didn’t always look like he wanted to claim the ball in the air.
Pedro Porro 7.5 – Kept Hudson-Odoi’s impact to a minimum, then stepped forward to make striking a bouncing ball look effortless.
Pedro Porro scored Tottenham’s third goal with a thumping half-volley from inside the box
Cristian Romero 6 – Had a battle royal with Wood, especially in the air. Just about came out level in the end.
Micky van de Ven 8 – Even when he is caught out of position, he eats up the ground to recover. Superb first Spurs goal at home.
Micky van de Ven starred as he scored his first home goal for Tottenham on Sunday
Destiny Udogie 5.5 – Struggled to contain the dual threat of Elanga and Williams on the Forest right in the first half.
Pape Matar Sarr 4.5 – Lacking in urgency and created next to nothing in a disappointing display. Substituted at half-time.
Yves Bissouma 6.5 – Had two early shots from distance, flashing one just wide and was ulucky to be taken off at half-time.
Brennan Johnson 5.5 – Maybe he still feels awkward playing against the club he supports, but was too passive at times.
Brennan Johnson was too passive at times against his former club after wasting chances in front of goal
James Maddison 6.5 – Quiet in the first half, influential in the second. Lucky to escape at least a caution after rabbit-punching Yates.
Timo Werner 7 – Prepared to inject pace when others weren’t in the first and served up the cross which led to the Forest own goal.
Son Heung-min 6 – Contributed his usual running and enthusiasm, but couldn’t quite force himself onto the game.
Son Heung-min contributed his usual running and enthusiasm, but couldn’t quite force himself onto the game
Substitutes
Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg 7.5 (on for Bissouma H/T) – Had an immediate impact with a rasping shot and raised Tottenham’s tempo with his all-action style.
Rodrigo Bentancur 7.5 (on for Sarr H/T) – Did he mean the glancing header to set up the third goal? Even if not, he brought necessary energy to the pitch.
Giovani Lo Celso 6 (on for Werner 76) – The game was largely settled when he came on, so didn’t bring his influence.
Dejan Kulusevski 6 (on for Maddison 76) – Only on the pitch for a short period, but was asked to play two different roles.
Dejan Kulusevski starred in the reverse fixture at the City Ground but had to play his part from the bench
Dane Scarlett 6 (on for Johnson 89) – Little chance for the youngster to have an impact on the game.
Substitutes not used: Austin, Dragusin, Royal, Davies
Nottingham Forest (4-2-3-1)
Matz Sels 8 – Made three fabulous saves, a flying stop from Hojbjerg and twice from Son, especially when he spread his body superbly.
Neco Williams 6 – He struggled to subdue Werner on the Tottenham left, but did play a role in the Forest equaliser.
Neco Williams struggled to subdue Timo Werner on the Tottenham left, but did play a role in the Forest equaliser
Andrew Omobamidele 6.5 – Has a quiet efficiency about his play. Doesn’t look flustered and his stature is growing.
Murillo 7 – Outrageous daring attempt to score from his own half, but then sliced into his own net for Tottenham’s opener.
Murillo opened the game’s scoring after turning the ball into his own net in the 15th minute
Ola Aina 6 – Solid in defence against Hudson-Odoi without adding much of note to Forest going forward.
Ryan Yates 6.5 – Typified the Forest spirit that may yet see them survive. Had a running battle with Maddison whom he largely man-marked.
Danilo 6.5 – More comfortable in the first half when Spurs passed it around ponderously. Chased shadows in the second.
Anthony Elanga 7.5 – Enjoyed exploiting the space that Tottenham left him, notably when he set up Wood’s goal.
Anthony Elanga enjoyed exploiting the space that Tottenham left him, notably when he set up Chris Wood’s goal
Morgan Gibbs-White 6 – Never stopped trying his tricks and flicks, but too often on a different wavelength to his teammates.
Callum Hudson-Odoi 5.5 – Largely ineffectual. There is a good player in there but he has to influence games more.
Chris Wood 7 – Loving life in the scoring lane, Now has nine goals in his last ten Premier League games, but he also struck the post with a sitter.
Chris Wood continued his stunning goalscoring form but was also wasteful in front of goal
Substitutes
Divock Origi 5 (on for Wood 68) – Failed to press his claim for a starting place when he replaced Wood.
Divock Origi failed to press his claim for a starting place when he came off the bench
Nicolas Dominguez 5.5 (on for Gibbs-White 68) – A playmaker who needs the ball. Sadly for Forest, he didn’t see much of it.
Giovanni Reyna 6 (on for Danilo 81) – Brought on late and couldn’t sort out his feet when a chance fell to him.
Ibrahim Sangare 6 (on for Yates 81) – The game was gone by the time he was introduced with ten minutes to go.
Gonzalo Montiel 6 (on for Williams 87) – A late substitute appearance for a relegation-threatened team for a player who won the World Cup.
