Sangaré and Hudson-Odoi Shine as Forest Punish Spurs in 3-0 Rout
Nottingham Forest continued their resurgence under Sean Dyche with a convincing 3-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur at the City Ground, marking their fourth win in six Premier League outings. Inspired performances from Ibrahim Sangaré and Callum Hudson-Odoi ensured Forest pulled four points clear of the relegation zone, while Spurs’ struggles deepened with just one win in their last seven league fixtures.
Tottenham, seeking back-to-back league wins for the first time since August, made a nervy start and were fortunate not to fall behind inside five minutes. Sangaré’s header struck the post before Neco Williams forced Guglielmo Vicario into a sharp save amid a frantic opening. Forest’s pressure eventually told in the 28th minute when Sangaré’s relentless pressing dispossessed Archie Gray, allowing Hudson-Odoi to tap home from close range.
Gray nearly redeemed himself with a volley that was held by stand-in goalkeeper John Victor, but Forest remained the more threatening side. Morgan Gibbs-White almost doubled the lead before half-time, stretching to meet a cross at the back post but narrowly missing the target.
Spurs’ away record had only been blemished by Arsenal this season, yet hopes of a comeback evaporated five minutes into the second half. Hudson-Odoi’s attempted cross looped over Vicario and into the net for his second of the afternoon, leaving the visitors stunned. Thomas Frank responded with a triple substitution around the hour mark, but the changes failed to shift momentum.
Forest sealed the points 11 minutes from time when Hudson-Odoi turned provider, laying off Sangaré, who rifled a powerful strike in off the post. The goal capped a dominant display and served as a fitting farewell for Sangaré before his departure to the Africa Cup of Nations.
Dyche’s men have now recorded seven wins and six clean sheets in their last 12 matches across all competitions, a run that has transformed their season. For Spurs, however, the defeat leaves them languishing in the bottom half, with mounting pressure on Frank to arrest their slide.
Forest’s emphatic win not only showcased their growing confidence but also underlined the impact of Sangaré and Hudson-Odoi, whose partnership proved too much for a lacklustre Tottenham side.