Spurs Sacked, Forest Soars: Nottingham Stuns EPL with Unbeaten October Run to Regain 5th Spot

[스타뉴스 | 박건도 기자]

Nuno Espirito Santo, Nottingham Forest manager. /Photo = Nottingham Forest Official Social Network Service (SNS) The manager who was sacked after just four months at Tottenham Hotspur is making a major turnaround. Nottingham Forest, under manager Nuno Espirito Santo (50), is causing a sensation.

Nottingham defeated Leicester City 3-1 in the 9th round of the 2024-2025 English Premier League (EPL) held at the King Power Stadium in Leicester, England, on the 26th (Korean time).

As a result of this day, Nottingham ranked 5th in the Premier League this season with 16 points from 9 games, 4 wins, 4 draws, and 1 loss. It is only 4 points behind 2nd place Manchester City (20 points from 8 games). Nottingham went undefeated (2 wins, 1 draw) in three games in October.

Chris Wood (32), a tall striker from New Zealand, exploded with scoring power. Wood led Nottingham to victory by scoring multiple goals against Leicester. Ryan Yates (26) also added one goal. For Leicester, Jamie Vardy (37) struggled by scoring one goal.

In the game against Leicester, Nottingham put Wood in the front line and placed Callum Hudson-Odoi, Elliott Anderson, and Anthony Elanga in the second line. Nicolas Dominguez and Yates played central midfield, while Alex Moreno, Murillo, Nikola Miljenkovic, and Ola Aina played the back four. The goal was guarded by Mats Sels.

Nottingham players are happy after scoring against Leicester City in the 9th round of the 2024-2025 English Premier League (EPL) held at the King Power Stadium in Leicester, England, on the 26th (Korean time). /Photo = Nottingham Forest official social networking service (SNS)

Chris Wood is smiling after receiving the Best Player of the Match (POTM) award against Leicester City in the 9th round of the 2024-2025 English Premier League (EPL) held at the King Power Stadium in Leicester, England, on the 26th (Korean time). /Photo = Nottingham Forest Official Social Network Service (SNS) The first goal was scored 16 minutes into the first half. Yates delivers a blow to Leicester. Leicester was no slouch either. Seven minutes after conceding a goal, Vardy balanced the game.

Nottingham won the game thanks to Wood’s consecutive goals in the second half. Wood opened the net with a sensational turning shot. Nottingham continued to attack Leicester even after scoring.

In the 15th minute, Wood’s second goal was scored. Wood, taking advantage of his height, completed multiple goals with a header shot. The match ended with Nottingham winning 3-1 with no further goals scored.

According to the Independent, coach Nuno said in a post-game interview, “The fans should enjoy the game. It’s a beautiful day,” and “Now is the time to enjoy it. We are trying to repay the support the fans have given us.”

Nuno, the current Nottingham head coach, has failed greatly at Tottenham. Coach Nuno, who took charge of Tottenham in July 2021, was sacked in November of the same year due to poor performance. In 17 games, he only achieved an average rating of 1.65.

In the first month after taking office as Tottenham manager, he received the Premier League Manager of the Month award, but Tottenham’s performance, suffering from empty balls, plummeted. Coach Nuno resumed his Premier League career in December last year after spending one year and four months as the manager of Saudi Arabia’s Al Ittihad.

Nottingham players rejoice after scoring against Leicester City in the 9th round of the 2024-2025 English Premier League (EPL) held at the King Power Stadium in Leicester, England on the 26th (Korean time). /Photo=Nottingham Forest Official Social Network Service (SNS) Reporter Park Geon-do pgd15412@mtstarnews.com

ⓒ Star News & starnewskorea.com, unauthorized reproduction and redistribution prohibited