Tottenham back to their bad old ways in handing Forest all the points

Tottenham, after their surprise progress to the Europa League last four, returned to slipshod type in gifting Nottingham Forest a 2-1 win in North London and a simple step closer to next season’s Champions League.

Spurs’ 18th league defeat was their 18th this season after they conceded two simple goals in the opening 16 minutes. A late consolation from Richarlison was not enough to ward off fears of Tottenham’s worst season terms of points gained since they managed only 44 in 1997-98.

Only the bottom three clubs have lost more games.

Tottenham’s 1-0 win against Eintracht Frankfurt which put them in the Europa League semi-finals kept their season alive and manager Ange Postecoglou could yet deliver on his claim that he always wins a trophy in his second season at a club.

But another damaging league defeat, their eighth at home in the league this season, increases the pressure on the 59-year-old former Celtic manager.

He said: “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.

“Giving away poor goals. 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.

“For us it’s just been a season where at times, even with the challenges we have had, it’s really frustrating because our football was so good. We have lost another game.”

Tottenham were booed at halftime, but the mood was a little more forgiving at the end after a stirring climax to the game in which the hosts pinned Champions League chasers Forest back.