Forest win 3-0 at Spurs to leapfrog relegation rivals

LONDON, March 22 : Nottingham Forest defeated fellow Premier League strugglers Tottenham Hotspur 3-0 on Sunday to leapfrog their relegation rivals near the bottom of the table thanks to goals from Igor Jesus, Morgan Gibbs-White and Taiwo Awoniyi.

Spurs were arguably the better team before the break but only created one real chance which Richarlison squandered before Jesus headed in from Neco Williams' corner on the stroke of halftime.

The impressive Mathys Tel forced a superb save from Forest goalkeeper Matz Sels in first-half added time, but that was as close as Spurs came on a miserable afternoon.

Gibbs-White, a summer target for Spurs, slotted home just after the hour mark and substitute Awoniyi added a late tap-in to send Spurs fans streaming for the exits. Those remaining in a half-empty stadium booed loudly at the final whistle.

Forest's win – their first in the league under coach Vitor Pereira – puts them 16th with 32 points from 31 games, two points above Spurs in 17th on 30 points.

"It's absolutely a huge result," Gibbs-White told Sky Sports. "There was a lot of worry going into this game and about the outcome. But the boys were incredible. We defended with our lives today."

Spurs are one point above 18th-placed West Ham United, who lost 2-0 at Aston Villa on Sunday.

John McGinn gave Villa an early lead before Ollie Watkins doubled their advantage after the break to ensure West Ham stay in the relegation zone over an extended break for international games and the FA Cup.

FOREST TAKE BIG STEP TOWARDS SURVIVAL

Spurs came into the match on a 12-game winless run in the league but buoyed by their first point under boss Igor Tudor at Liverpool last weekend and a 3-2 win over Atletico Madrid in midweek Champions League action,