Nottingham Forest, the club of Super Eagles stars Ola Aina and Taiwo Awoniyi, took a step closer to a place in next season’s UEFA Champions League on Monday night, leaving head coach Nuno Espirito Santo dreaming of what would have been considered impossible at the start of the English Premier League season.
Forest returned to third spot in the Premier League table on Monday night following a tense 2-1 victory at Tottenham Hotspur as five clubs jostle for three Champions League tickets, with Liverpool and Arsenal having all but secured the top two.
Nuno said his Forest side were embracing being in the race for Champions League football and in an FA Cup semi-final after the crucial away victory.
“We are in a fight that nobody expected, us included,” Espirito Santo said in his post-match interview.
“We are in the mix against big teams and that only can make us proud. And we embrace the challenge.”
Forest took a two-goal lead within the first 16 minutes with goals from Elliot Anderson and Chris Wood and then soaked up Tottenham’s pressure.
They cracked in the 87th minute when Richarlison headed home, but held on to emerge victorious.
Forest’s fine season could become even better at the weekend when they face Manchester City in an FA Cup semi-final.
“We are ahead of a big week for us. We’re going to Wembley to compete against a big team and there are a lot of games ahead of us,” Nuno added.
“As long as we keep this approach, competing well, you never know.”
Tottenham had the bulk of possession and 22 shots to Forest’s four but Nuno has built his team on counter-attacks and intensity.
He praised defender Harry Toffolo, who enjoyed a rare appearance in the side and made a spectacular clearance off the line, and Chris Wood, who bagged his 19th league goal of the season.
“Even though a player doesn’t start (regularly), I still believe that he’s going to play a part,” he said. “And Harry did it.”
While Aina was out of the squad on Monday due to an injury, Awoniyi was a late substitute, replacing goalscorer Wood 14 minutes from time.
Forest are third on 60 points, six behind second-placed Arsenal. Newcastle are fourth with 59 points, one better off than fifth-placed Manchester City, who have one more than Chelsea and Aston Villa in sixth and seventh respectively.
Five teams from the Premier League will feature in the Champions League next season.
