Nuno Espirito Santo, who was reflecting on Nottingham Forest’s 3-1 loss to Tottenham Hotspur, identified two potentially pivotal moments in the first half.
With six games remaining, the Reds are still above the relegation zone on goal differential; nevertheless, things may have turned out differently in the capital. Before the half, Chris Wood equalized for the visitors by canceling out a goal by Murillo himself. Shortly after, he had a fantastic chance but struck the woodwork.
The game would have had a different tone if the New Zealander had put in more effort. The same would have happened if James Maddison had been dismissed at halftime for teasing Ryan Yates.
Nuno remarked, “It looks like he punched him, but he did.” “I saw the picture.
“I was shocked that Simon Hooper, the referee, wasn’t told to check it by VAR. Respectfully, I feel that it is a slap in the gut for Yates and that a review and alternative choice should have been made.
I didn’t inquire about it with the referee. However, I observed it, therefore I have no difficulty informing you that my perception differed from the officials’. Me and VAR do not agree.
For the fourth straight game, Wood had scored to give the visitors a chance to win. But after the break, Micky van de Ven and Pedro Porro ended the game since Forest was unable to build on a strong finish to the first half.
Nuno stated, “We have highlighted two moments in the first half that have the potential to change the game,” referring to the Maddison incident and Wood’s miss. “The first goal is amazing; I love how Chris moved to the right and took his shot. He then had a strong opportunity to score once more.
“Chris has greatly benefited us. He has played a huge role. All of that is transcended by what he does.
It was a great first half. We succeeded in playing the game we desired. We had fantastic spells, scored, had good chances and we controlled Tottenham.
“I’m not happy with how we surrendered and how we opened the second half. Tottenham will respond, we knew. We need to have taken greater initiative, condensed the areas, and prohibited those times.
What disappoints me is the contrast between the two halves. I had hoped that the second half would continue and pick up steam, but sadly that didn’t happen.
