(Football news) Goals by Renan Lodi and Jesse Lingard helped Nottingham Forest secure a 2-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur at the City Ground. The hosts hit the post in the first half through Taiwo Awoniyi while Lingard and Joe Worrall also came close to scoring the opening goal. After the break, Lodi’s curling effort went past Fraser Forster while Lingard capitalised on a counter attack with a close range effort just minutes later. Orel Mangala was sent off with 15 minutes to go after receiving his second yellow card and substitute Richarlison saw a goal disallowed for offside as Spurs attempted to make a comeback. 

The Carabao Cup represented a realistic opportunity for Antonio Conte’s Tottenham side to finally end their trophy drought. The importance of the competition was seen when Conte named a full strength side including Harry Kane, who has started every single game for Spurs this season. As for Nottingham Forest, they made nine changes and could have taken the lead in the opening 10 minutes when Davinson Sanchez's clearance reached Awoniyi and the subsequent deflected effort hit the post. 

Spurs have consistently underperformed in the first half this season and it was another one of those displays as Forest continued to push for the opening goal with Lingard having an effort deflected over and then Forster saved at point-blank range from Worrall. Spurs had an opportunity through Ivan Perisic whose cross found Matt Doherty at the far post but his effort was blocked by Wayne Hennessey. Spurs have now not scored in the first half in eight games but were hoping for an improved second half display but it was not to be. Forest got the deserved breakthrough in the 50th minute through Lodi’s curling effort while Lingard went on to score his first goal for the club in the 57th minute.

Speaking after the match, Tottenham manager Antonio Conte said “With Harry, until this morning we waited to see if he could start or not. But in this situation, he was the only striker for us. For this reason, I can only say thanks for the availability they show me. It was a problem of tiredness. Really, really tired and yesterday we had a soft training session and at one point he stopped himself to recover energy. But he's okay, it's only fatigue but it's normal because Harry played every game. 

“When you have a player like him it's difficult to decide you don't play with him. Other players might have tell me, 'I'm tired and don't want to play and help the team'. I have a group of players who are men and good players because of this. Another could be selfish and think for himself because in one week they have to play the World Cup. Instead, Harry Kane showed to be a really good man. Today it was really difficult if Kane told me, 'maybe it's better I don't start today because I risk a lot to have an injury'. But I repeat, it's normal, what's happening in this period." 

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