Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou described his side’s 2-1 home loss to Nottingham Forest as “unacceptable,” expressing deep frustration after Spurs slumped to their 18th Premier League defeat of the season—a campaign that is now threatening to become their worst since 1997-98 in terms of points accrued.
Nottingham Forest stunned the home crowd by racing to a 2-0 lead inside 16 minutes, with Elliot Anderson opening the scoring after five minutes and Chris Wood heading in a second shortly after.
Spurs dominated possession and chances, registering 22 shots to Forest’s four, but struggled to break through until Richarlison’s late header from Pedro Porro’s cross in the 87th minute gave them hope. Despite a late rally, Tottenham could not find an equalizer, and Forest held on for a victory that boosted their Champions League qualification hopes.
Postecoglou was visibly disappointed post-match, stating: “It’s frustration, disappointment, it’s another game we should never lose. I’m disappointed in the manner in which we conceded the goals, gave ourselves a mountain to climb, but I’m frustrated because our football was outstanding. Even with the goals we conceded I felt we still deserved to win the game, but it’s happened too often this year where we’ve been our own worst enemy in certain aspects, and it’s another loss”.
He emphasized that the team’s recurring issues stem from lapses in concentration and giving away poor goals, despite often dominating games: “It’s another game we have lost where we shouldn’t lose and it’s been a big part of our season in that we are just making things really difficult for ourselves in key moments… It’s a shame because our football was outstanding and we totally dominated the game. Even with the two goals we conceded I still feel like we deserved to win the game. At the same time, it’s another loss and another unacceptable loss”.
Tottenham now sit 16th in the table with 37 points, only two places above the relegation zone, and only the bottom three clubs have lost more games this season. The home crowd voiced their displeasure with boos at halftime, though the mood softened after a spirited finish. Postecoglou accepted responsibility, acknowledging the fans’ disappointment and reiterating that the club has fallen short of its standards.
Despite the domestic struggles, Spurs’ recent Europa League semifinal qualification offers a glimmer of hope, with Postecoglou still aiming to deliver on his record of winning a trophy in his second season at a club. However, with a daunting fixture list ahead—including a trip to title-chasing Liverpool—the pressure continues to mount on the Australian manager and his squad.