Nottingham Forest were left to reflect on two key turning points in their 3-1 defeat to
Tottenham Hotspur. Chris Wood had given the Reds hope of getting a result in the capital when he cancelled out a Murillo own goal just before the half hour mark. The front man had a good chance to put the visitors ahead soon after his equaliser but hit the woodwork from close range. Had Forest gone 2-1 up at that point, it could have been a very different game. Likewise, if Spurs had been reduced to 10 men just before the break for what the visitors felt was a punch in the stomach by James Maddison on Ryan Yates. READ MORE: Nuno delivers 'surprised' verdict on Maddison incident READ MORE: How the Reds rated against Spurs As it was, VAR did not even instruct referee Simon Hooper to review the incident and Micky van de Ven and Pedro Porro went on to secure the three points for the hosts. Below is a look at what Forest head coach Nuno Espirito Santo had to say after the full-time whistle. On the game… “The first half was very good. The game we wanted to play, we achieved. We controlled Tottenham, had good spells, scored and had chances. “I’m disappointed with the way we started the second half and the way we conceded. We knew Tottenham would react. We should have been more aggressive, reduced the spaces and not allowed those moments. “The difference between the halves is what makes me disappointed. I wanted the second half to sustain and go again, but unfortunately we didn’t achieve it.” On Wood’s goal and missed chance… “The first goal is beautiful - the way he took his shot and the movement and progression on the right side, the combination was very well executed. And then he had a good chance (to score again). “Chris has been huge for us. He has been so important. What he does overcomes all of that (the missed chances). Let’s regroup and go again.” On the Maddison incident… “It doesn’t look like he punched him, he punched him. I saw the image. “I was surprised VAR didn’t tell Simon (referee Simon Hooper) to review it better. With all my respects, it is a punch in the stomach of Yates and should have been reviewed and a different decision. There’s two moments we have mentioned in the first half that could change the game. “I didn’t ask (the referee to explain). But I saw it, that’s why I have no problem telling you I didn’t see it the same way (as the officials). We do not agree, me and VAR.” On Morgan Gibbs-White applying an ice pack after being substituted… “We have to assess him - him and some players. We need all the players and we need the best of them, and Morgan is so important for us.” On finding a balance between defence and attack… “That is the most difficult part of
Football, especially in such a difficult stadium as this one, to keep the balance. In the first half we were able to do that; we controlled very well. We know how Tottenham play, and we were able to control that with our defensive shape. And with the ball we did really good. “Our biggest challenge is to try to reproduce those 45 minutes again, for all of the game. We have to improve for the next one at the City Ground . We have another chance to put points on the table, and this is all that matters for us.” On returning to his former club… “It’s another game. It was a pleasure to work here at Spurs. It was an honour. “Things didn’t work out and didn’t finish well. I keep going, Spurs keep on going. “It was special to come here. It is always special to come to a place where you worked, but that doesn’t take away the focus - and my focus is on Forest. We have to do much better next week because we are in a tough fight.” On the death of former Forest manager Joe Kinnear, which was made public during the game… “I didn’t know. I’m so sorry. My thoughts are with his family.”