Nottingham Forest and West Ham will face competition from AC Milan for the signing of Bologna's Argentine forward Santiago Castro, 21, this summer. (Tuttomercatoweb - in Italian), external
Want more transfer stories? Read Wednesday's full gossip column
Pat Riddell
Fan writer
Image source, Getty ImagesNottingham Forest have a habit of blowing things up in your face. So when I say it feels like Vitor Pereira might be the head coach we need right now, there's a high chance it could backfire.
It's still early days, of course, but there's already a sense that Pereira understands the club. He might be our fourth manager of the season, but his comments after the 3-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur suggest there's a continuity with the Steve Cooper and Nuno Espirito Santo eras.
"Each time that we fight, we need to feel that we are a family. The players need to feel they are fighting with our supporters, and with the club, with the city. Because if we are together - of course, we can lose games - but the energy that they send to us is something special."
Sometimes saying the right things and doing the right things seem to be blatantly obvious. And yet, many managers can't even bring themselves to say the right thing - for example, Ange Postecoglou - let alone do the right thing. Pereira has managed both with aplomb.
Cooper and Nuno clearly knew when to put an arm around a player and how to motivate them. Pereira has been very clear from the start that confidence is key and he's sought to instil that. You only need to look at the away performance against Midtjylland to see that the fringe players - long maligned, although not necessarily their fault - have responded and delivered on that trust.
There is method, there is structure and there are clear commands that have allowed this talented squad to flourish once again. The belief and determination that has seen us through demanding times is clearly there. It just needs to stay.
It might only be his first Premier League win but it follows battling performances against Liverpool and Manchester City. There's a growing sense that there is unity and resilience returning.
It doesn't matter now where the points come from, we just have to believe that Pereira's methods will deliver.
What have you made of Pereira's start as Forest boss? Is he proving to be the head coach you need or do you still have reservations?
Get in touch with your views here
Find more from Pat Riddell at The Famous Club, external
Image source, Getty ImagesMorgan Gibbs-White spoke to BBC Radio Nottingham after Sunday's victory against Tottenham: "This was massive for us. After the week we've had, to continue the spirit and commitment means absolutely everything going in to the international break. Three points and a little bit of breathing room, but we can't look too far ahead and we have to take it game by game.
"It has probably been a perfect week, but I told the boys before that Nottingham Forest isn't Nottingham Forest without the ups and downs. It has been a hell of a journey and we have put the fans through stress, but it is all worth it for days and weeks like this. If I was a fan, I would be so proud of the team."
Listen to more from Gibbs-White here
And hit play below to hear from scorer of the opening goal Igor Jesus, or listen on BBC Sounds here
Image source, Getty ImagesSupporters are finally seeing the Nottingham Forest they "should have seen most of this season", says fan Sarah Brown.
The Reds secured what could turn out to be a crucial 3-0 win away to Tottenham in their fight to stay in the Premier League.
The victory saw Vitor Pereira's side leapfrog Spurs in the table and move themselves three points clear of the relegation zone with seven games remaining.
"It just felt great. As soon as we went 1-0 up I thought 'we are going to win this'," Brown told BBC Radio 5 Live.
"The players seem to be playing for Pereira now, even the second-string side, they are all playing well. What we are seeing I think is the Forest that we should have seen most of this season.
"We are not stupid, though, we have been in this fight before as Forest fans. We take each game as it comes and hopefully get the points. We've got Aston Villa at home next, who we have been OK against, but it is all about the spirit and getting behind your team.
"It's about the team and the momentum building something and I think that is what we have over the past week, especially winning in Europe. So, bring it on.
"What we have seen in Pereira is a bit of the Nuno-esque arms around the players, letting them express themselves, and that is really what they needed."
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Former Premier League goalkeeper Joe Hart described Elliot Anderson as an "all-action midfielder who is a brilliant athlete" following Nottingham Forest's victory against Tottenham on Sunday.
Danny Murphy added: "He is prepared to make mistakes when so many midfielders these days aren't.
"So many people want to be a 'six' or a '10' these days, but you don't have to - if you are dynamic like him, you can do both."
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We asked for your thoughts after Sunday's Premier League game between Tottenham and Nottingham Forest.
Here are some of your comments:
Spurs fans
Raj: Every time you think you cannot be let down by the club any further, they find a new way to disappoint you. It feels like everyone and everything is conspiring against us - dodgy ref decisions certainly. But, ultimately, poor performances and poor decisions from the board have brought us here. I've never felt more disconnected from the club or out of love with the game than I do right now.
Pat: After the impressive win over Atletico Madrid, one would have thought a braver line-up and style of football would have been the better choice. But they retreated to play an ineffective, long-ball style, which was so comfortable for Forest. It's a sad indictment on the owners and how they have made poor appointments, signings and maintained an out-of-date wage structure. Only a miracle can save us now.
Steve: It is seven games too late to have appointed a capable successor to Thomas Frank. With seven games and a three-week hiatus in prospect, it is now or never to bite the bullet. If Forest can have four managers in a season and then they come up with Sunday's performance, three for Spurs can't be a bad idea! Someone who can introduce all our defensive players to one another and instil the idea of teamwork into them...
Hugh: Guidance is required now otherwise Championship football awaits! This guy should never been appointed manager. Therefore, let's right the situation and appoint a manager with Premier League experience!
Forest fans
Sean: The first goal was key in this match, and for Igor Jesus to get back in the Premier League goals just on half-time delivered a real gut punch for both Tottenham's squad and their fans, which they didn't recover from. We looked totally at ease in the second half, and Morgan Gibbs-White had to score against them. The icing on the cake was seeing Taiwo Awoniyi bag another goal from the subs' bench. This has been a great week to be a Forest fan. We need to keep it going.
Luke: That's as good an away win as I can remember, and just at the right time. It felt like last season's standards, and we need that two or three times more to be safe this year. I wish we were playing again on Wednesday, and I bet the players do too. Still dreaming!
Michael: Wow! Just wow! I wasn't expecting a three-goal win, especially when you saw how the Spurs fans opted to get behind their team. Brilliant defending all day and three well-crafted goals that have been hard to come by. It could all change in a week, but hopefully this gives Forest the confidence to push on and get more points. COYR!
Ben: Not so much a huge win but an utterly essential one. Even when Forest were on the back foot in the first half, the commitment from the players was excellent and it meant they were in a position to capitalise when the chance arose. The goal advantage certainly helped Forest dictate the game more in the second half and three goals and a clean sheet will do their confidence the world of good. Not clear of the danger yet, but the momentum and control is back with Forest!
Pundits Danny Murphy and Joe Hart join host Kelly Cates to bring you the action and talking points from Sunday's Premier League fixtures.
And listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:
Nick Mashiter
Football reporter
Image source, Getty ImagesVitor Pereira had not won in the Premier League since last April.
He left Wolves in November winless this season and it has taken five games to take three top-flight points at Foirest but they will be huge for their season.
Battling defeats against Liverpool and Brighton deserved more while a draw at Manchester City showed the squad's quality and grit.
It was Forest's second 3-0 win against Tottenham in the league this season, their first coming under Sean Dyche in December, and it was just as deserved.
At Tottenham they weathered any, light, storm in the first 40 minutes and rarely looked in trouble after Igor Jesus' opener.
Igor Jesus has scored just three goals in the Premier League this season since a £10m move from Botafogo last summer.
All of them have earned Forest points, with a 1-0 win at Wolves and January's 2-0 victory at Brentford. Sunday's header was his 13th goal of the campaign, with seven coming in the Europa League.
None will be as crucial as this one as Forest build momentum following Thursday's penalty shootout win at Midtjylland which earned a Europa League quarter-final with Porto.
There will be a rock solid belief they will stay up now with West Ham and Tottenham potentially left to fight it out for survival.
Nottingham Forest boss Vitor Pereira, speaking to BBC Match of the Day: "We started with a good level. But after 15-20 minutes, we started to lose a lot of possession, second balls and duels. We conceded a lot of set-pieces. We suffered until half-time.
"In the second half, I asked them to be themselves and play at our level. I asked them to play the same way we started the game and told them something will happen. And I am happy that they played with personality and organisation. It was an important win.
"I have a team that have the quality to play with the ball. But it's difficult to play in our way if you lose the ball often. Tottenham were very aggressive in the duels. It was not our intention to defend but they pushed us. We had some luck till half-time.
"But it was a good time to score the opener. We studied our opponents during the set-pieces and we scored. Set-pieces and even throw-ins are very important at the moment as in football, in every situation, we can get a goal.
"After the [Europa League game] in Denmark, it was important to rest. I tried to balance the energy. The players who played against Midtjylland and today showed that they have the quality to face the next games.
"For me, it's just three points. We got it. Next game, we have the chance to do it again. And we need to go there to get those points again. This will go on until the end of the season."
You can listen to more from Pereira on BBC Sounds
Did you know?
Nottingham Forest have achieved a league double over Tottenham in consecutive seasons for just the second time (2024-25 and 2025-26), after doing so in both 1995-96 and 1996-97.
Forest's Igor Jesus is one of only five Premier League players to score 10+ away goals in all competitions this season (10), along with Erling Haaland (13), Igor Thiago (12), Joao Pedro (11) and Ismaila Sarr (10).
Morgan Gibbs-White has scored in each of his last three Premier League away games - only Taiwo Awoniyi (4 between May-August 2023) has done so in more in succession for Forest in the competition.
Elliot Anderson created the most chances (3), completed more passes (38), won possession more often (9) and made more tackles (6) than any other Forest player in today's win.
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Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.
Have your say on Tottenham's performance
What did you make of Nottingham Forest's display?
Come back on Monday for a selection of your replies
Tottenham XI: Vicario, Spence, Danso, Romero, van de Ven, Porro, Gray, Sarr, Richarlison, Tel, Solanke.
Subs: Kinsky, Dragusin, Udogie, Souza, Palhinha, Gallagher, Bergvall, Xavi, Kolo Muani.
Nottingham Forest XI: Sels, Williams, Murillo, Milenkovic, Aina, Sangare, Anderson, Hutchinson, Gibbs-White, Igor Jesus, Hudson-Odoi.
Subs: Ortega, Morato, Awoniyi, Yates, Dominguez, Netz, Bakwa, McAtee, Ndoye.
There are three games in the Premier League on Sunday and BBC Sport will bring you every moment.
Newcastle v Sunderland (12:00)
Aston Villa v West Ham - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra
Tottenham v Nottingham Forest - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live
Kick-off 14:15 GMT unless stated
Follow all of the action and reaction here
And follow Arsenal v Man City in the Carabao Cup final here (kick-off 16:30)
You can also listen to today's 5 Live Premier League commentaries on most smart speakers. Just say "ask BBC Sounds to play Aston Villa v West Ham" or "ask BBC Sounds to play Spurs v Nottingham Forest".
Find out more about how to listen to Premier League football on BBC Sounds
People have been panning Tottenham boss Igor Tudor but they will look upon him in a different light if his side win this game.
Maybe he just needs to identify the opposition's threat a little bit better than he does opposing managers - that clip of him mistaking someone else for Arne Slot at Anfield last week did make me chuckle.
Nottingham Forest's issue is that they don't score enough goals and that lack of attacking threat might just cost them here.
I know I keep mentioning it, but Forest manager Vitor Pereira has still not won a Premier League game all season, after 12 attempts with Wolves and Forest.
I don't think he will win this week, either, although this is going to be an extremely tight game.
Spurs' first aim will be to avoid any calamities like their red card against in their previous home league game.
They have a few injuries, but they still have a fair bit of quality in their team.
Tottenham also have a bit of positivity and momentum after Wednesday's home win over Atletico Madrid, even though it wasn't enough to turn around their Champions League tie. Now they need to build on that.
Sutton's prediction: 1-0
Ellie Molloson
Fan writer
Image source, Getty ImagesSunday's fixture against Tottenham Hotspur is no longer just another league game; it is a relegation play-off.
The margin for error has evaporated. Nottingham Forest and West Ham have 29 points, with Spurs just one point ahead at 30. Whilst Spurs appear to be more comfortable than West Ham who currently sit 18th, momentum tells a different story.
West Ham have found their stride - including a gritty draw against Manchester City - and Leeds have carved out a three-point cushion. On current form, the Hammers look likely to climb clear, leaving a direct shootout between Forest and Spurs to decide who remains a Premier League team.
That means a draw is not enough. We have no choice but to win.
Both squads are packed with proven talent, yet both have struggled with confidence, stability and, at times, a lack of heart. Both are severely under-performing, and on their day, both can be unbeatable.
Football talent, skill and ability is not why either team is here and, therefore, it does not make sense to attempt to analyse the actual football here. The result will be determined by who wants it more.
The danger is that Spurs have finally begun to rally, with their fans sensing the cliff edge and the players finally showing a tiny bit of grit with their two most recent results. We cannot afford to let them find their feet. We have to treat this with the intensity of a cup final. We need to be the 12th man.
Many outlets are already discussing Forest's relegation as a foregone conclusion. Discussing what we will do if we go down, which players go out and how we can manage Europe and the Premier League. But the season is not done yet!
The media might be busy writing the post-mortem for our season, but as a very wise man once said: "I hope anybody's not stupid enough to write us off."
Find more from Ellie Molloson at Garibaldi Girls, external
Relegation rivals Tottenham and Nottingham Forest meet in north London on Sunday (14:15 GMT).
A corner turned for Spurs?
This week marked the end of the road for Tottenham in Europe but also suggested a corner may have been turned in their awful form.
After four consecutive defeats under Igor Tudor, an injury-hit Spurs side scored a last-minute equaliser against Liverpool last Sunday to earn a first point under their interim boss. That was followed by his first win in charge, a 3-2 victory over Atletico Madrid.
The victory couldn't save Tottenham's European campaign but, just as with the fightback against Liverpool, it was the spirited manner of the performance that gave hope to a Spurs side that has looked beleaguered in recent times.
And against Atletico, they managed to do it in front of their own fans at home, a place where their continuing struggles have been even more sharply thrown into focus.
With their awful injury crisis also showing signs of easing, there is cause for optimism among fans.
However, Tottenham remain one of only two teams in the top four tiers of English football not to have won a league match in 2026, along with already-relegated Championship side Sheffield Wednesday.
Only three Premier League sides have had longer runs without a win from the start of a calendar year, all of whom were relegated (Sunderland in 2002-03, Derby in 2007-08 and Middlesbrough in 2016-17).
Spurs are winless in 12 Premier League games (D5, L7), their longest such run since 1935. Tudor has shown he can get a reaction out of his players, now he needs them to give them his first league victory.
Forest need another Wood
Nottingham Forest's victory in this fixture last season put them third in the table and very much in the Champions League mix, a dream that was dashed only on the final day of the Premier League campaign.
Less than 12 months later, Forest are in a huge battle at the other end of the table and their lack of attacking options this season has been exposed.
Forest had scored 50 goals after 30 league matches in 2024-25; at the same stage this season, they have managed just 28, the second-lowest total in the top flight.
Chris Wood supplied 20 of Forest's 58 Premier League goals last season, but has not played since mid-October because of a knee injury.
Forest spent £160m on forwards and attacking midfielders last summer – so far they have contributed five league goals between them, while centre-forward Lorenzo Lucca, who has scored just once since arriving on loan from Napoli in January, already seems to be out of favour.
Igor Jesus, one of those summer signings, is Forest's top scorer this season with 12 goals but 10 have come in Europe.
Despite having the eighth-highest number of shots this season (384), Forest have the lowest shot conversion rate in the top flight (7.3). They have also failed to score in 14 of their 30 league games, with the 3-0 win over Spurs in the reverse fixture in mid-December the last time they scored three in a league match.
Ali Speechly
Fan writer
Image source, Getty ImagesIf you had told me at the start of the season that our Premier League survival would hinge on a six-pointer against Nottingham Forest, I would have laughed in your face.
Seven months later, it turns out the joke is on me.
While this season has been a comedy of errors for Spurs, consecutive positive performances have shifted the momentum in our favour and we could yet have the last laugh.
If the draw against Liverpool was a turning point, the victory against Atletico Madrid confirmed that we are definitely moving in the right direction.
Three points this Sunday would ensure there is no looking back and it is essential that we secure them, by any means necessary.
With the Premier League table as delicately balanced as it is, it doesn't feel dramatic to say that the result against Forest will determine our season. Win and we avoid relegation. Lose? Well, that doesn't bear thinking about. Even a draw feels like it would be no good here.
I am still not convinced by Igor Tudor – particularly his man-management style – but with this Forest game being one of those "win at all costs" scenarios, it doesn't really matter if I like the interim manager or not.
We have reached crunch point and we will take the wins however we can come by them.
In an ideal world, that would be by playing the Tottenham way – with flair, confidence and goals that still get replayed decades later.
We have struggled to consistently replicate our glorious history in the modern era, particularly this season, but we must make sure that journey of self-rediscovery is one that takes place in the highest league of English football.
I might be biased, but I believe it is where we belong.
Find more from Ali Speechly at Women Of The Lane, external and on Instagram, external
Katie Stafford
BBC Sport journalist
Nottingham Forest boss Vitor Pereira has been speaking to the media before Sunday's Premier League game against Tottenham at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium (kick-off 14:15 GMT).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
The players will have Friday "to recover" after travelling back from Denmark and then they will "try to tactically prepare for the match against Tottenham".
Pereira said "mentality, energy and spirit" is more important than tactics most of the time, as that is what will put them "in good shape to go there and compete" with Spurs.
On the magnitude of the game: "It's a very important match, but in the end it's 11 vs 11 on the pitch. It's not only about this game, we must have the mentality to get points from all eight games [remaining]."
He said Thursday's Europa League win "proved we have a lot of options with quality to help us in this difficult battle" in the Premier League.
On opponents Tottenham: "They've played the last two games with quality and spirit. It's going to be a tough game for us and a tough game for them."
He wants his side to be "tactically intelligent, be compressed, defend well and when we have the ball, attack spaces and express individual qualities".
Despite the game being away from home, Pereira said the players "need" the fans "a lot" as "in this moment, we need to be a family and fight as a family together".
Follow all of Friday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news.
Listen to live commentary of Tottenham vs Nottingham Forest on BBC Radio 5 Live from 14:00 GMT on Sunday. You can also hear commentary on BBC Radio Nottingham and on BBC Sounds. Hear all the build-up from 13:00.
Got a question about Forest? Get in touch here and we'll put it to our experts
David Jackson
BBC Radio Nottingham reporter
Image source, Getty ImagesThat is why you never give up on your football team.
Everything pointed to defeat in Herning. Forest had already lost twice this season to Midtjylland, they were struggling to score goals and then at 16:30 GMT came the news that Vitor Pereira had made nine changes to his team, handing starts to several players who had failed to perform throughout the season.
But thanks to Ryan Yates' leadership, an imperious defensive display from Nikola Milenkovic, and coming-of-age performances from James McAtee and Zach Abbott, they found a way to win on what turned out to be one of the most glorious nights in Forest's recent history.
One fan described it to me in the hotel on Friday morning as the "anti-Braga" performance - the opposite of the rain-soaked game in Portugal which highlighted a disconnect between club and fans. Well the connection was very much back last night.
Seeing Yates walk back on to the pitch long after the final penalty had been skied, to applaud the fans again and show his appreciation for the air miles they've put in, showed the relationship in this messed-up, beautiful and chaotic season, is again strong.
This season has been wild. You never know what's around the corner. But that's why it's so addictive. And that's why you never give up on your football club. And it's why fans have already been busy booking flights to Porto for the quarter-final.
Image source, Getty ImagesWe asked for your views on Nottingham Forest's penalty shootout win over Midtjylland in the Europa League.
Here are some of your comments:
John: A great performance and one that has been due for a while from some players. Great to see them seize their chance at last and hope this flows through to the remainder of the season.
James: Good run-out and performance from players who have had limited opportunities and have often been disappointing when they have been given them. Bakwa showing glimpses of why we invested in him. Hopefully the whole squad can now contribute towards a push to Premier League safety and a European final.
Rob: Great performance from many who started, who are usually on the bench - good use of squad by Vitor Pereira. Great to progress - Porto next, though not ideal we went into extra time, with a key match against Spurs on Sunday.
Steve: Forest deserved to progress, playing the best over two legs. It's a shame it went the distance as Sunday could decide our Premier League future. A great night for Yates, I'm really pleased for him! Just need to bring these goals to the Premier League, especially the City Ground! We can do this!
Sean: Considering the amount of changes and that this line-up was our "B" team, what a performance! This time with goals. What could be more fitting than Mr Forest Ryan Yates scoring the winner in normal time? And we kept our nerve on penalties to finally get a result against Midtjylland, who have had our number for a while now. This could be the result and performance that helps us on both fronts, starting on Sunday against Tottenham.
England manager Thomas Tuchel has named his 35-man squad for the two friendlies against Uruguay and Japan in March.
Goalkeepers: Dean Henderson (Crystal Palace), Jordan Pickford (Everton), James Trafford (Manchester City), Aaron Ramsdale (Newcastle United), Jason Steele (Brighton & Hove Albion).
Defenders: Dan Burn (Newcastle United), Marc Guéhi (Manchester City), Lewis Hall (Newcastle United), Ezri Konsa (Aston Villa), Tino Livramento (Newcastle United), Harry Maguire (Manchester United), Nico O'Reilly (Manchester City), Jarell Quansah (Bayer Leverkusen), Djed Spence (Tottenham Hotspur), John Stones (Manchester City), Fikayo Tomori (AC Milan).
Midfielders: Elliot Anderson (Nottingham Forest), Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid), James Garner (Everton), Jordan Henderson (Brentford), Kobbie Mainoo (Manchester United), Declan Rice (Arsenal), Morgan Rogers (Aston Villa), Adam Wharton (Crystal Palace).
Forwards: Jarrod Bowen (West Ham United), Dominic Calvert-Lewin (Leeds United), Eberechi Eze (Arsenal), Phil Foden (Manchester City), Anthony Gordon (Newcastle United), Harry Kane (Bayern Munich), Noni Madueke (Arsenal), Cole Palmer (Chelsea), Marcus Rashford (Barcelona, loan from Manchester United), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Dominic Solanke (Tottenham Hotspur).
There are 13 players involved who weren't in the last squad back in November, while there's a first senior call-up for Everton midfielder James Garner and Brighton goalkeeper Jason Steele.
