Nottm Forest 3-0 Tottenham (Full Time)
- Scorers: Callum Hudson-Odoi (42′, 50′), Morgan Gibbs-White (78′)
- Venue: The City Ground, Nottingham
- Date: Sunday, December 14, 2025
Nottingham Forest produced a sensational performance to dismantle Tottenham Hotspur 3-0 at the City Ground today, ending the visitors’ three-match winning streak in emphatic fashion. In a game billed as a test of Spurs’ resurgence, it was Nuno Espírito Santo’s men—buoyed by their midweek European triumph over Utrecht—who looked the fresher and hungrier side. The result in this Nottm Forest vs Tottenham clash sees Forest climb away from the relegation zone, while Ange Postecoglou’s side remains stuck in mid-table obscurity, sitting 11th in the Premier League standings.
The atmosphere in Nottingham was electric from the first whistle, and the home side fed off the energy, punishing a disjointed Spurs performance characterized by defensive errors and a lack of cutting edge from their expensively assembled attack.
Match Report: Hudson-Odoi Runs Riot
The turning point in this Nottm Forest vs Tottenham encounter came late in the first half. After a tentative opening 40 minutes where both sides struggled for rhythm, a moment of madness from young Spurs midfielder Archie Gray gifted Forest the lead.
- 42nd Minute (1-0): Gray, attempting to play out from the back, was dispossessed by Elliot Anderson. The ball fell kindly to Callum Hudson-Odoi, who curled a delightful finish past Guglielmo Vicario to break the deadlock just before the interval.
- 50th Minute (2-0): Forest doubled their lead immediately after the restart. Hudson-Odoi was again the tormentor, receiving a cross from Neco Williams and firing low into the corner. The goal left Spurs shell-shocked and exposed the fragility of their high defensive line.
- 78th Minute (3-0): With Tottenham pushing men forward in a desperate attempt to salvage the game, Forest struck on the counter. Morgan Gibbs-White combined with substitute Jota Silva to slide the ball home, sending the City Ground into raptures and sealing the three points in this Nottm Forest vs Tottenham fixture.
Nottm Forest vs Tottenham Lineups & Tactical Analysis
Both managers named strong lineups, but the tactical battle was decisively won by the home side.
Nottingham Forest Confirmed XI (4-2-3-1)
- GK: Matz Sels
- DEF: Nicolo Savona, Nikola Milenkovic, Murillo, Neco Williams
- MID: Ibrahim Sangaré, Elliot Anderson
- AM: Omari Hutchinson, Morgan Gibbs-White (C), Callum Hudson-Odoi
- FWD: Igor Jesus
- Substitutes: Gunn, Morato, Zinchenko, Danilo, Jota Silva
Tottenham Hotspur Confirmed XI (4-3-3)
- GK: Guglielmo Vicario
- DEF: Pedro Porro, Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven, Djed Spence
- MID: Rodrigo Bentancur, Archie Gray, Xavi Simons
- FWD: Mohammed Kudus, Randal Kolo Muani, Richarlison
- Substitutes: Austin, Dragusin, Sarr, Bergvall, Moore
Postecoglou’s decision to start Archie Gray in a deep midfield role backfired, as the youngster struggled with the physicality of Ibrahim Sangaré. Meanwhile, Spurs’ star attacking trio of Kudus, Simons, and Kolo Muani failed to register a single shot on target, highlighting the lack of cohesion in the final third that has plagued their season.
Team News & Injury Updates
The build-up to Nottm Forest vs Tottenham was dominated by injury concerns for the visitors.
- Tottenham: Captain Son Heung-min missed out entirely due to a hamstring strain sustained in training, a loss that was keenly felt. James Maddison and Destiny Udogie were also absent, forcing Djed Spence into an unfamiliar left-back role where he was frequently targeted by Hudson-Odoi.
- Nottingham Forest: The hosts welcomed back Morgan Gibbs-White from a suspension, and his return was pivotal. Striker Taiwo Awoniyi remained sidelined, but Igor Jesus led the line admirably, occupying the Spurs center-backs and creating space for the wingers.
Match Impact & League Implications
The implications of today’s Nottm Forest vs Tottenham result are significant for both clubs.
- Nottingham Forest: This win moves Forest to 18 points, providing vital breathing room above the relegation zone. It validates their aggressive transfer strategy and suggests they can compete with the league’s top sides at home.
- Tottenham: For Spurs, this is a damaging defeat. Sitting 11th with 22 points, they are now drifting further away from the Champions League places. The inconsistency that has defined their campaign—winning against Brentford and Slavia Prague before collapsing here—will heap pressure on Postecoglou ahead of the busy festive schedule.
Context: A Fortress at the City Ground
This result continues a worrying trend for Tottenham at the City Ground. Historically, Nottm Forest vs Tottenham fixtures in Nottingham have been tricky for the North Londoners, but the manner of today’s defeat—outfought and outthought—will be particularly alarming. Forest’s confidence is sky-high following their recent European exploits, and they used that momentum to overwhelm a fragile Spurs side.
Player Performance: Hudson-Odoi Steals the Show
Callum Hudson-Odoi delivered a masterclass in attacking excellence today, terrorizing the Spurs defense with his pace, precision, and intelligent positioning. His opening goal came as a result of clinical finishing after Archie Gray’s loss of possession, while his second showcased his ability to time his runs and convert from close range. The winger’s performance in this Nottm Forest vs Tottenham encounter was a reminder of the talent that has made him such a valuable asset for the East Midlands club.
On the other side, Guglielmo Vicario was left exposed on multiple occasions by his struggling defense, though there was little he could do about any of the three goals. For Tottenham, the lack of presence from their attacking players was concerning, with Mohammed Kudus and Richarlison both failing to make their customary impact on proceedings.
Tactical Breakdown
Forest’s 4-2-3-1 shape proved perfectly suited to neutralize Spurs’ attacking ambitions while providing the platform for their own aggressive transitions. Ibrahim Sangaré was immense in midfield, breaking up play and launching counter-attacks with impressive efficiency. Meanwhile, Tottenham’s high defensive line, which had worked effectively in recent weeks, was repeatedly exploited by Neco Williams down the left flank, whose crosses found Hudson-Odoi in dangerous spaces repeatedly.
The absence of Son Heung-min was keenly felt by Spurs, as it forced them to rely heavily on Richarlison, who simply does not have the same creative outlet to drive attacks from the left wing. This tactical imbalance was expertly identified and exploited by Nuno’s side.
Conclusion
It was a day to forget for Tottenham Hotspur but a glorious one for Nottingham Forest. The 3-0 scoreline in this Nottm Forest vs Tottenham match fairly reflected the dominance of the home side, with Callum Hudson-Odoi producing a man-of-the-match display. Postecoglou has serious work to do if he is to turn Spurs’ season around, while Forest can look forward to the rest of December with renewed optimism.
The festive period is notoriously demanding in the Premier League, and both clubs will return to action midweek as they navigate the congested fixture list. For Forest, this victory has provided a psychological boost that could prove vital in their battle for survival. For Tottenham, this result serves as a stark reminder of the work required to challenge the elite teams in the division.
What did you make of the performance? Can Spurs recover from this setback? Let us know your thoughts on Nottm Forest vs Tottenham in the comments below!
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