What a waste! Son Heung-min hits a side net, fantasy free kick Tottenham is behind the first goal of Elanga, who is struggling to defend Nottingham (the first half is over)

Dec 27, 2024

Tottenham's slump continues.

Tottenham Hotspur finished the first 18 rounds of the English Premier League (EPL) 0-1 against Nottingham Forest at the City Ground in Nottingham, England, at 0:00 a.m. on the 27th (Korea time).

Tottenham desperately needs to win. Tottenham suffered a 3-6 defeat by Liverpool in the previous match. Tottenham, which has been sluggish with two draws and three losses in five games, seemed to change its mood with a 4-3 Carabao Cup victory against Manchester United following a 5-0 victory over Southampton, but the flow was cut again after suffering a crushing defeat at home. Tottenham, whose winning streak ended, fell to 11th place in the league with 23 points. Rumors have emerged that coach Enze Postecoglou will be replaced.

Nottingham, on the other hand, is the best flow. He is in fourth place with 31 points. Coach Nunu Santo, who led Tottenham in the past, shows his stable and practical soccer shining. Coach Nunu coached Son Heung-min while taking the helm of Tottenham in the 2021-2022 season, but was dismissed in four months. After that, he moved to Saudi Arabia to lead the RT Hard and returned to the EPL in December last year when he took the helm of Nottingham.

Photo capture=Tottenham SNS

Son Heung-min will start again. Local media predicted that Son Heung-min would rest and Brennan Johnson would fill the spot. The reason was the poor performance against Liverpool and the arrangement of physical strength in preparation for the Boxing Day. Football London says 'Someone on the offensive has to get out for Johnson's legs who have rested. He said he could be an older Son Heung-min. Tottenham Hotspur News also reported, `Son Heung-min looked exhausted in the last game. Son Heung-min, 32, may want to take a break on Boxing Day. Especially when the game schedule is tight and heavy.

Postecoglou's choice was Son Heung-min. With Dominic Solanke at the center, Son Heung-min and Johnson cards were taken out on the left and right sides. Instead, there is a change. Instead of James Medicine, Dejan Kulusevski stepped up as a shadow striker. The midfield has also changed. Rodrigo Bentancourt, who returned from a seven-game suspension for racist punishment against Son Heung-min, played as a double bolanch with Papesar. Destiny Udogi-Archie Gray-Radou Dragusin-Jed Spence made the four-back. Frazier Foster wore goalkeeper gloves.

It is a game that needs a rebound from Son Heung-min's point of view. Son has five goals and six assists in the league this season. It's not a bad record numerically, but there are ups and downs every season. In particular, he failed to make a single effective shot in the last game and received the lowest evaluation among the strikers. As Tottenham's offense depends on whether Son Heung-min performs or not, Son Heung-min's play is also the subject of much attention in the region. It is necessary to prove its value once again, especially as issues related to recent renewal overlap, such as the aging curve being discussed.

photo capture=Nottingham SNS

Nottingham also fought back 4-2-3-1. Chris Wood was on the front line, while Callum Hudson-Odoi, Morgan Gibbs-White and Antony Elanga were on the second line. Elliot Anderson and Ryan Yates kept the midfield. Nico Williams-Murillo-Nicola Milenkovic-Ola Aina made a four-back, and Mats Selz defended the goal.

Tottenham met Nottingham twice last season and won all of them. In the 17th round away match held on December 15, Hishalisson and Kulusevski won 2-0 with consecutive goals, and in the home game on April 7 this year, they won 3-1 by combining the opponent's own goals, Mickey van der Penn and Pedro Porro.

In the beginning, Son Heung-min made a good scene. After a bold breakthrough in the fourth minute of the first half, he tried to shoot with his right foot in front of the arc. Unfortunately, I fell into the goalkeeper's arms. In the 10th minute, he induced a warning. I tripped and fell in the process of breaking through. Yates was warned.

Nottingham countered with his unique counterattack. In the 11th minute, Hudson-Odoi moved from left to center in a counterattack and fired a right-footed shot. It went up. In the 13th minute, Anderson arced and attempted a right footed shot. He came out after hitting the defense.

20 min Son Heung-min missed a disappointing chance. Johnson's pass deflected off the defense and headed to Son Heung-min in the box. Son Heung-min was blocked by Milenkovic in the process of catching and breaking through. Tottenham's forward offensive resources played well and led the attack, but it was a shame at the end.

25 min Tottenham went on an onslaught. With Bentancourt's pass, Johnson fired a right-footed shot from the right side of the box. He was blocked by the goalkeeper. Nottingham's counterattack immediately followed. Elanga's shot went slightly over the post.

28 min Nottingham scored the opening goal. After stealing Spencer's ball, Nottingham immediately made the switch. Before Tottenham's defense was overhauled, Gibbs-White stabbed Elanga through a quick breakthrough. Elanga scored with a calm finish. Elanga's third consecutive goal.

A panicked Tottenham went on the offensive. The 38th minute missed a crucial chance. Johnson, who received Kulusevski's pass, fired a powerful shot from the right side of the box. Stuck by Sells' super save. 45 min Solanke got a free kick from a good position. Son Heung-min, who played kicker, kicked strongly with a near post. The height was perfect, but unfortunately, I hit the side net.

vanbasten@sportschosun.com