AliousToffolo Steals the Show as Forest Edge Spurs and Eye Champions League Spot
Nottingham Forest reignited their charge for Champions League qualification with a 2-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur on Monday night — a result that propelled them to third in the Premier League table and three points clear of Chelsea. While attacking stars like Anthony Elanga and Chris Wood drew praise for their roles in the victory, it was the unlikely hero Harry Toffolo who turned heads with a standout performance that may have revived his Forest career.
Elanga, who set up Wood’s goal with a pinpoint cross in the first half, had a mixed outing overall. His assist showcased his ability to deliver quality from wide areas, but he struggled elsewhere — failing with both his dribble attempts and winning just one of six duels before being substituted at halftime. Fellow playmaker Morgan Gibbs-White fared even worse, offering little attacking threat and failing to register a single key pass or significant contribution during his time on the pitch.
But while Forest’s usual creative threats floundered, Toffolo — making his first Premier League start of the season — delivered a performance that could hardly be ignored. The 28-year-old, who had only made three top-flight appearances as a substitute before Monday, took full advantage of his opportunity. His most memorable moment came with a remarkable goalline clearance to deny Dejan Kulusevski, an effort that co-commentator Alan Smith described as having “defied physics.”
The timing of that clearance was crucial. At the time, Forest held a 2-0 lead, and Toffolo’s intervention kept Spurs at bay with just under half an hour left on the clock. Had the goal gone in, Tottenham might have mounted a serious comeback. Instead, Richarlison’s late goal in the 87th minute came too late to alter the outcome.
Toffolo’s overall contribution was immense: two blocks, a combined four tackles and interceptions, and four clearances over the 90 minutes, including his heroic effort on the line. Statistically and tactically, he outshone Elanga — whose influence faded after his assist — and Gibbs-White, who failed to leave a mark on the match.
With Forest now firmly in the hunt for a top-four finish and Champions League football next season, Toffolo may have picked the perfect moment to force his way back into Nuno Espírito Santo’s plans. After spending much of the campaign watching from the sidelines, the left-back’s resurgence could be one of the surprise storylines of Forest’s season run-in.
Alious
