Ange Postecoglou’s Tottenham booed off at halftime on its way to 18th Premier League defeat

The atmosphere quickly turned toxic for Ange Postecoglou’s Tottenham as it sunk to an 18th defeat for the season, putting the Aussie manager firmly on track for unwanted history.

Ange Postecoglou’s Tottenham have lost more than half their games this season. Picture: Dave Shopland/AP Photo

Nottingham Forest beat struggling Tottenham 2-1 on Monday, bouncing back from two defeats to strengthen their push for a Champions League spot and heaping the pressure on Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou.

The atmosphere turned ugly quickly for the home side, with the team booed off at halftime.

Forest came into the game at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in sixth spot in the table after losses to Aston Villa and Everton.

But early goals from Elliot Anderson and topscorer Chris Wood settled their nerves and they held on tenaciously despite a late goal from Richarlison to climb to third in the table.

Tottenham have now lost 18 league matches this season – a record better than only the bottom three teams on the ladder. It is only the third time in Premier League history Spurs have lost 18 times in a season. One more loss and Postecoglou will be the first Tottenham manager since Osie Ardiles in 1993/94 to suffer 19 defeats in a league campaign.

Ange Postecoglou risks making unwanted history over the remainder of the season. Picture: Ryan Pierse/Getty Images

Leaders Liverpool have one hand on the Premier League title and Arsenal are likely to finish second.

But behind them the competition is fierce for the top five places that will guarantee qualification for the Champions League next season.

Just three points separate Forest from Aston Villa in seventh spot, with five games remaining for all the contenders.

Nuno Espirito Santo’s visitors took the lead in the fifth minute following a corner when Anderson’s deflected shot beat Guglielmo Vicario.

Wood had the ball in the net five minutes later but it was ruled out by VAR for off-side.

But the New Zealander doubled Forest’s lead in the 16th minute, nodding a cross from Anthony Elanga past Vicario.

Tottenham sit 16th on the Premier League ladder. Picture: Ryan Pierse/Getty Images

Spurs dominated possession and had more shots on goal but provided little threat.

Forest had a chance to make it 3-0 10 minutes into the second half when Wood cushioned the ball into the path of Morgan Gibbs-White but the midfielder skewed his shot wide.

Forest defender Harry Toffolo produced a spectacular overhead goalline clearance to keep out Dejan Kulusevski’s header shortly after the hour mark.

Substitute Spurs defender Kevin Danso let fly from range but it did not trouble Matz Sels.

Postecoglou brought on former Forest winger Brennan Johnson and forward Dominic Solanke with a quarter of the match to go.

Sels produced a superb fingertip save low down to his right from a Richarlison header with about 10 minutes to go as Tottenham upped the pressure.

The Brazilian did get on the scoresheet in the 87th minute, powering a header home from a Pedro Porro cross but the visitors held on.

Forest are two-time European champions but have not played in the continent’s top club competition since the 1980/81 season.

Spurs’ 18th defeat of a miserable Premier League season leaves them just two places above the relegation zone.

But Postecoglou still has a chance to win silverware in his second season at the club.

Spurs face Bodo/Glimt in the semi-finals of the Europa League next month, with the winner of the competition guaranteed a place in next season’s Champions League.

Fifth-placed Manchester City host Villa on Tuesday.

LEEDS AND BURNLEY SECURE PREMIER LEAGUE PROMOTION

Leeds’ 6-0 win over Stoke has secured their spot back in the Premier League. Picture: Michael Regan/Getty Images

Leeds United and Burnley were promoted to the Premier League on Monday, condemning faltering Sheffield United to a Championship playoff battle.

Daniel Farke’s Leeds beat Stoke 6-0 and Burnley’s 2-1 win at home to Sheffield United in the later kick-off confirmed both clubs will be in England’s top division next season.

Leeds and Burnley both have 94 points and neither can now be caught by Sheffield United (86), who have won just one of their past five games.

Leeds have spent the past two seasons in the Championship while Burnley, under the leadership of Scott Parker, have secured an immediate return to the Premier League.

Originally published as Ange Postecoglou’s Tottenham booed off at halftime on its way to 18th Premier League defeat