Guglielmo Vicario suffered a nightmare before Christmas as woeful Tottenham slumped at Nottingham Forest.
The goalkeeper made more high-profile mistakes – after he gifted Harry Wilson a goal in Fulham’s 2-1 win – to hand Callum Hudson-Odoi a brace before Ibrahim Sangare’s stunner sealed victory.
Regardless of Vicario’s gaffes Forest, energetic and driven, deserved the win which moved them five points clear of the Premier League’s relegation zone.
Limp Spurs were second best and failed to build on successive wins against Brentford and Slavia Prague and remain in 11th.
They were floundering even before Vicario’s wretched pass to Archie Gray allowed Sangare to pinch the ball on the edge of the area and tee up Hudson-Odoi for a simple finish after 28 minutes.
It came after the goalkeeper had earlier saved Neco Williams’ follow-up when Sangare’s header hit the post.
Tottenham failed to respond and Hudson-Odoi added a second five minutes after half time when a cross from the left sailed over Vicario.
Yet Vicario could do nothing to stop Sangare adding a late third when he thumped in off the post from 25 yards.
Nottingham Forest analysis: Forest proving their worth under Dyche
Nottingham Forest showed last week’s awful defeat at Everton can be viewed as a blip – so to the loss to Brighton late last month.
They reacted well to both, with this week bringing a first European away win in 30 years at Utrecht and Sunday’s dominant win over Spurs.
There was fortune in the way Guglielmo Vicario’s mistakes allowed Callum Hudson-Odoi to score twice but that should not disguise the overall excellent performance from the hosts.
Forest have lost just three times since Sean Dyche took over in October, recovering each time, and victory moved them five points above the relegation zone.
They had earlier dropped into it when West Ham led Aston Villa – before losing 3-2 – which proves there can be no let-up.
Forest could have been lulled into a false sense of security given how well Dyche has stabled the ship – a 3-0 win at Liverpool the highlight – following the chaotic start under Nuno Espirito Santo and the brief reign of Ange Postecoglou.
They still remain in trouble but displays of similar quality and commitment will surely see them move further clear of the bottom three.
