Harry Kane double sees unbeaten Spurs past gritty Forest

Tottenham fought off a tenacious Nottingham Forest side at the City Ground to remain unbeaten. Harry Kane scored two goals and had a penalty saved against him.

Forest was cheerful and started well, but Kane punished them with a clinical breakaway finish within five minutes. The goalkeeper, Dean Henderson, later denied Kane from the penalty spot and made several other crucial saves. Kane sealed the victory for Spurs late on, scoring from close range.

Antonio Conte’s side had to work hard for their victory, as Forest, fueled by a boisterous and upbeat home crowd, kept them in the game for long stretches. Summer signing Morgan Gibbs-White and forward Brennan Johnson were particularly lively for the hosts, but Tottenham had numerous chances to extend their lead.

Son Heung-min came close both before and after the break, Kane had efforts well blocked by Forest defender Joe Worrall, and Dejan Kulusevski curled a good second-half strike wide of the post. Henderson’s penalty saves to deny Kane from the spot – following Steve Cook’s handball on the line – was quickly followed by a massive chance for Forest’s Neco Williams, who failed to find the target. Forest pushed for an equaliser, but Kane delivered the knockout blow when he headed in substitute Richarlison’s cross.

Spurs deserved the points, but it was an entertaining game with plenty of positives for newly promoted Forest.

Kane Delivers as Forest makes it difficult.

Kane’s 200th league goal arrived within five minutes, briefly dampening the spirits of a jubilant home crowd, capping off Spurs’ excellent, quick counter-attacking move. Tottenham produced several more of those attacking moves as Forest took control of the game in their pursuit of an equaliser but remained vulnerable.

Spurs’ chances increased as Forest attacked more in the second half, but Henderson was applauded enthusiastically with each crucial save to deny Son and Kane. Tottenham held out against sustained pressure from the hosts, while Forest defended valiantly but failed to convert their chances.

Tottenham couldn’t get rid of Forest’s attacking threat until Kane scored the game-winning goal.