Spurs 1-2 Nottingham Forest: Nuno Espirito Santo admits relief after fast start earns visitors crucial Premier League win

Nottingham Forest head coach Nuno Espirito Santo has praised his side's character after they earned a 2-1 victory at Tottenham Hotspur on Monday night.

The East Midlands outfit made the trip to North London having dropped into sixth position in the Premier League table after witnessing all but one of their rivals for Champions League qualification win on Saturday or Sunday.

However, Forest are now back in third place after early goals from Elliot Anderson and Chris Wood helped secured a potentially-pivotal triumph at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Forest were outplayed for much of the night, though, with Richarlison's header three minutes from time one of 22 efforts that Spurs had on goal in comparison to four for the visitors.

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Nuno acknowledges Forest resolve

Speaking to Sky Sports after the game, Nuno felt that his team were "fortunate" to reach the final whistle with the three points intact.

Nevertheless, owing to potential physical and mental fatigue after a long season, the Portuguese praised the resolve of his squad as they moved closer to a place in Europe.

He said: "There is no other way. Tottenham put us against the ropes so it is about defending and holding on to the result.

"We started the game well. We created danger with good combinations. We wanted to go more offensive in the second half, try to be more dangerous and have more of the ball.

"When you have something it is about getting through it, especially in these moments of the season when there is fatigue, not only physical but mental, anxiety, all these things made the team go back a bit. Credit to Tottenham. They created so many chances against us and we were fortunate to get away with the result.

"We were controlling the game but Tottenham were having lots of crosses and space in the wide areas, so it [half time change] was about having an extra man and squeezing a bit more. You have one less man to press in midfield but you then have one more in the box."

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How close are Forest to European qualification?

With three points separating the teams between third and seventh, Forest find themselves in a vulnerable position when it comes to trying to remain in the top five.

Nevertheless, there is now an 11-point advantage over eighth position, essentially leaving Forest aware that two victories from their remaining five matches will guarantee at least a place in the Europa League or Conference League.

Forest also remain in the FA Cup, their semi-final showdown with Manchester City scheduled for Wembley on Sunday.