Chris Wood Fires Nottingham Forest to Victory as Matz Sels Shines in Statement Win Over Spurs
Nottingham Forest delivered one of their most impressive performances of the season last night as they stunned Tottenham Hotspur with a 2-1 win in North London. In a match many had predicted would add to Forest’s recent struggles, Nuno Espírito Santo’s side flipped the script entirely, combining attacking efficiency with resolute defending to secure a massive three points on the road.
After suffering back-to-back defeats, questions had begun to surface about Forest’s form and their ability to pull away from the relegation scrap. But from the opening whistle at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, it was clear the players had come with a plan—and a point to prove.
Forest set up with a compact, organised shape that frustrated Tottenham from the outset. While the home side dominated possession, it was Forest who struck the decisive early blows, exploiting Spurs’ high line with swift counter-attacks and punishing defensive lapses.
Chris Wood, who had come under fire in recent weeks, reminded everyone of his quality with a vintage centre-forward’s display. Having failed to score in his last five appearances and recently returning from injury, pressure was mounting on the 33-year-old New Zealand international to deliver. And deliver he did.
In the first half, Wood found himself perfectly placed in the box to meet Anthony Elanga’s inch-perfect curling cross. Timing his jump expertly, Wood powered a header beyond Spurs goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario to double Forest’s lead and spark scenes of jubilation among the away fans. It was his 19th Premier League goal of the season, and perhaps his most important yet.
The goal was a testament not only to Wood’s aerial prowess but also to his mental resilience. After Nuno openly criticised his display against Everton, saying the striker “wasn’t good enough,” Wood responded in the best way possible—on the pitch, with a performance that spoke volumes.
After the game, his teammate Morgan Gibbs-White took to Instagram to post a five-word message under Wood’s celebratory post: “Doing what you do best.” It was a simple yet meaningful message, expressing the team’s faith in the striker and celebrating his return to form. Gibbs-White, one of Forest’s most creative forces, has developed a strong connection with Wood both on and off the pitch. The camaraderie was further reinforced as Elliot Anderson, another of Forest’s energetic midfielders, showed his support by dropping fire emojis in the comments.
Wood’s resurgence has been one of the season’s more unexpected narratives. When he joined Forest from Newcastle United in January 2023, the move was met with muted reactions. His initial deal ran until the summer of 2025, and many viewed the transfer as a stopgap—an experienced body to provide short-term depth. But since then, Wood has turned doubters into believers. He has already earned a two-year contract extension, keeping him at the club until 2027, and has become the club’s all-time top Premier League scorer in the process.
His goal last night brought his career Premier League tally to 88 goals, moving him ever closer to the elite 100-goal club—a milestone that would place him among some of the most prolific strikers in the competition’s history. At his current rate, reaching that landmark next season feels entirely achievable.
While Wood will rightly take headlines for his goalscoring exploits, much of the credit for Forest’s win must also go to goalkeeper Matz Sels, who produced a masterclass between the sticks. The Belgian international made a string of crucial saves to keep Tottenham at bay, including standout stops to deny Son Heung-min and Dejan Kulusevski. His reflexes, positioning, and calm distribution under pressure gave the Forest defence confidence to sit deep and absorb wave after wave of Spurs attacks.
Kulusevski, speaking after the match, was effusive in his praise for Sels, calling him “one of the best goalkeepers I’ve faced this season.” That sentiment is quickly becoming the consensus among fans and pundits alike. When Sels arrived from Strasbourg in a £5 million deal, he was considered a solid but unspectacular signing. Since then, he has exceeded all expectations and is now being talked about as one of the Premier League’s top-performing goalkeepers.
Sels’ form has provided Forest with the kind of dependable presence they had been lacking between the posts. He commands his area well, is vocal and organised, and most importantly, has the ability to produce big saves in big moments. His presence gives Forest belief that they can weather pressure and grind out results, especially away from home.
Tactically, Nuno got his setup spot-on. He instructed his players to stay compact, limit space in central areas, and break with purpose when opportunities arose. Forest’s midfield trio of Gibbs-White, Anderson, and Orel Mangala worked tirelessly to win second balls and spring counter-attacks, while Elanga and Callum Hudson-Odoi provided width and pace in transition.
Even though Tottenham pulled a goal back in the final stages, the defensive commitment shown by Forest was admirable. Centre-backs Murillo and Willy Boly made key interventions throughout the match, and the team’s shape never wavered under pressure.
The victory lifts Forest further clear of the relegation zone and injects much-needed momentum into their final run of fixtures. With just a few matches remaining, every point is vital—and beating a top-six side like Spurs away from home is not just a boost to their league position, but to their belief.
Forest have had a turbulent season, but performances like this show that they are a team with character, talent, and potential. With Wood firing again, Sels standing tall in goal, and the midfield beginning to click, there is a growing sense that Forest can finish the season strongly—and maybe even carry that form into the next campaign.
What started as a night of uncertainty ended in celebration. And for Chris Wood, it might just be the moment that reignites his journey to Premier League greatness.
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