22/04/2025 11:30
Elliot Anderson got Nottingham Forest off to the perfect start as they continued their Champions League push against Tottenham.
Nuno Espirito Santo‘s side climbed back up to third in the Premier League table and left the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium with three points in a 2-1 win on Monday, to record their first victory in three attempts.
Anderson and Chris Wood’s goals – the New Zealander netting his 19th of the season – saw Forest take a 2-0 lead within 16 minutes in North London, before Richarlison’s header reduced the deficit late on.
The result resumes Forest’s charge towards the Champions League after back-to-back defeats had seen them fall out of the Premier League’s top five on goal difference, but they’re back in control of their fate.
Elliot Anderson sparks Nottingham Forest verdicts
Anderson couldn’t have taken his fifth-minute goal much better against Tottenham, drilling a half-volley beyond Guglielmo Vicario and into the bottom corner after Forest’s first corner of the game was cleared.
The England Under-21s international could have had an assist to his name just five minutes later too, but Wood was beyond the last man as he headed home Anderson’s cross and the goal was soon disallowed.
| Position | Club | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | GD | Points |
| 3 | Nottingham Forest | 33 | 18 | 6 | 9 | +14 | 60 |
| 4 | Newcastle United | 33 | 18 | 5 | 10 | +18 | 59 |
| 5 | Manchester City | 33 | 17 | 7 | 9 | +22 | 58 |
| 6 | Chelsea | 33 | 16 | 9 | 8 | +18 | 57 |
| 7 | Aston Villa | 33 | 16 | 9 | 8 | +6 | 57 |
Wood popped up again in the 16th minute to head in a similar delivery from Anthony Elanga and score Forest’s winner, and Anderson later took to Instagram (22 April) with the message: “Goal and a big +3 in London!”
Several Forest stars responded to their number eight’s message, with left-back Harry Toffolo saying; “c'est la vie”, and substitute Callum Hudson-Odoi calling Anderson a “playerrrrrr”.
Nottingham Forest ready to splash Champions League cash
Hudson-Odoi may have been reduced to a substitute appearance in North London, but ex-Man United chief scout Mick Brown told Football Insider that Forest want their number 14 to sign a new contract.
The likes of Hudson-Odoi, Wood, Elanga and Anderson could have plenty of competition for game-time next season if Forest do reach the Champions League, with Matheus Cunha top of their transfer shortlist.
Former Everton CEO Keith Wyness also told Football Insider that PSR rules won’t stop Forest bringing in at least two “star attractions” this summer, and if Champions League football is on the cards, expect their rise to only gather pace.
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