Ange Postecoglou felt the defeat of Tottenham Hotspurs against Nottingham Forest “brought up” itself, because the hosts fell 2-1 in North London.
Spurs suffered their fourth loss in five Premier League matches and 18th of the season -their highest total in a single campaign since 2003-04 (19).
The ball was three times in the net of the hosts in the opening 16 minutes with Elliot Anderson and Chris Wood and gave the visitors a 2-0 lead, while the latter had also allowed a volley for offside after a VAR review.
Tottenham was punished by two sets. Firstly, their failures led to a corner to go to the Anderson's strike, while they were caught by a quick free kick so that Anthony Elanga could cross to Wood to go home.
The hosts responded well and checked large periods for the rest of the match, where 22 shots were registered with the four of their opponents.
However, it was only when Richarlison's 87th minute header that they had caught the shortage, and then an equalizer avoided them.
“Another disappointing loss. A loss that, for large parts, had been inflicted,” said Postecoglou.
“We have admitted two bad goals and gave ourselves a mountain for climbing. I still think we didn't deserve to lose on the balance of the game.
“Our football was good, that is not to be denied. We have created a lot of opportunities, we had recorded them. But as I said, it was really disappointing to give the two goals like us.
“It hurt us all year round, we have abandoned ourselves. It is a game that we should have won tonight. There should not have been a slow start.
Defeat in N17. pic.twitter.com/uhedz9h6vb
– Tottenham Hotspur (@spursofficial) April 21, 2025
“That is the frustrating piece. It is not the only time it happened this year. We have to accept that we have not been to the level that we should be.
“I don't like losing, we have lost too many games. We have to keep working and try to remedy these things, so the football we play gets the results it deserves.”
Spurs were fresh from their Europa League heroism on Thursday, when they booked their place in the semi-final after achieving a hard-earned 2-1 aggregated victory over Eintracht Frankfurt.
Dejan Kulusevski acknowledged that fatigue had been a factor on Monday, but insisted that it was no excuse that traces were slowly out of the blocks.
“[It was a] Sloppy start, “he said.” We have admitted three goals in 10 minutes. Yes, people were offside, but after that it is difficult to get back in.
“We also played on Thursday evening, but you have to be ready from the start. You come back from a long journey at five in the morning, but if you are not on it, you pay. That is what we have done.
“We played some decent football today and created some good chances. They are a very difficult team to play because they are very good at defending and many men play behind the ball.
“We have created many opportunities. Their keeper has made a number of good saves. I hate to lose. It is a bad feeling.”