The first half of the game saw underfire goalkeeper Matt Turner make two major saves from Son Heung-min and Brennan Johnson in the first quarter of the game. However, the USMNT keeper was caught out of sorts just before half-time when Richarlison headed in a pinpoint cross from Kulusevski.

The second half saw Kulusevski double Tottenham’s lead after another mistake by Turner in Nottingham Forest’s goal. It also saw a sending off for Yves Bissouma after a silly challenge on Ryan Yates, giving him his second red card of the season. Ange Postecoglou’s men survived a late onslaught from Steve Cooper’s side and also called into action goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario, who had barely anything to contend with before that point.

DID YOU KNOW?

Yves Bissouma’s red card in the 70th minute was his second of the season, meaning that the defensive midfielder will miss the next four games. He became the seventh player in Spurs’ history to receive two red cards in a single season, and the first since Kyle Naughton in 2014-15 as per OptaJoe.

THE MVP

Kulusevski was involved in both the goals as he set up Richarlison for the first goal and thundered a shot past Turner. The Swede also made three key passes for Postecoglou’s side.

THE BIG LOSER

Turner had his chance for redemption in the eyes of Cooper after he had been dropped by the Nottingham Forest manager in favour of Odysseas Vlachodimos at the end of November. The American made a great start to the game with spectacular saves from Son and Johnson, however, his surprising misjudgment of Kulusevski’s cross for Spurs’ first goal and his misplaced pass and inability to save the Swede’s shot at his body meant that the former Arsenal man saw his reputation fall further.

Bissouma gets an honourable mention for the villain of the game as he took a silly red card for his knee-high stamp on Yates and compounded Postecoglou’s troubles for the next few games.

WHAT COMES NEXT?

Postecoglou’s men will now take on Sean Dyche’s Everton at home on December 23 as they look to continue their two-game winning streak. Meanwhile, Forest will host Bournemouth as Cooper looks to build a gap between his side and the relegation zone.

MATCH RATING (OUT OF FIVE): ⭐⭐⭐