Sat 11 March 2023, 18:25
Tottenham HotspurAntonio Conte pinpointed the spirit of the team after a convincing 3-1 win against Nottingham Forest in the Premier League on Saturday.
We needed a response after a tough 10 days saw us go out of the FA Cup and Champions League, and lose 1-0 at Wolves in the Premier League.
The players delivered with a dominant first half display to lay the foundations for victory. Harry Kane scored twice, one a penalty, while Richarlison’s fine early strike was disallowed via a narrow VAR call for offside. Harry opened the scoring on 19 minutes from Pedro Porro’s cross, then converted from the penalty spot after Richarlison was brought down by Joe Worrall.
We controlled the game from the start until the end... it was good and positive to get the three points
Richarlison then set up Heung-Min Son for the third goal - his 99th in the Premier League - on 62 minutes. Worrall headed home for Forest on 81 minutes and Fraser Forster denied Andre Ayew from the penalty spot in added time. The goalkeeper also produced a superb save to tip over Serge Aurier’s header in the second half.
Speaking to SPURSPLAY, Antonio told us: “We played a good game, a good response by the players. Two days after a tough game against Milan, I thought we found the right energy to play well. We controlled the game from the start until the end, okay, we conceded from a corner, but they are really tall and we knew there would be a risk in this type of situation, but, at the end, it was good and positive to get the three points. Now, we have to rest for a day and start to work again to prepare for the next game.
“We dominated, we also had a goal disallowed and created many chances. I’m happy for the three points, now there are 11 games to go and we have to be focussed on the next game against Southampton. For us, it’s very important. Every game is vital is we want to fight for Europe.”
Asked what impressed him the most, Antonio added: “The spirit of the team was good. I see all the players really focussed with the right desire, the will to help each other and I think we need to always have this type of spirit and desire because in England, you know very well there are no easy games. Today, against Nottingham Forest, if you don’t face this game in the right way, it could become difficult.”
