Spurs move into fourth with 3-1 win over Forest

LONDON: Tottenham Hotspur boosted their Champions League qualifying hopes with a 3-1 home win over relegation-battling Nottingham Forest on Sunday (Apr 7) to move into fourth spot in the Premier League.

Second-half goals from Micky van de Ven and Pedro Porro, after Forest's Chris Wood had cancelled out Murillo's own goal in the opening period, helped Spurs capitalise on rivals Aston Villa and Manchester United dropping points this weekend.

Tottenham's victory puts them level with Villa on 60 points but with a game in hand and leaves United trailing with 49 after their 2-2 draw with Liverpool.

Spurs led after 15 minutes when Brazilian defender Murillo, who minutes earlier almost scored an audacious goal from inside his own half, turned Timo Werner's cross into his own net.

Brennan Johnson then nearly doubled Tottenham's lead against his former club but the forward's effort was stopped by the strong hand of goalkeeper Matz Sels.

Forest equalised against the run of play in the 27th minute through Wood's fourth goal in four games. The New Zealand striker should have had a second 10 minutes before the break but smashed his shot against the post from close range.

Spurs' Dutch defender Van de Ven then hit a thunderbolt from the edge of the area to restore their lead after 52 minutes before Pedro Porro produced a great finish six minutes later.

The defeat leaves Forest 17th with 25 points from 32 games, above third-bottom Luton Town only on goal difference.