‘Won’t like this’: Postecoglou in ‘staggering’ rumour as Tottenham revival continues

Tottenham’s EPL title hopes are alive again, while there are calls for Ange Postecoglou to take on the biggest job in world football.

Spurs are on fire and everyone loves Ange.

Tottenham bolstered their renewed bid for a top-four place in the Premier League as Richarlison and Dejan Kulusevski netted in a 2-0 win against struggling Nottingham Forest on Saturday (AEDT).

Richarlison put Ange Postecoglou’s side ahead late in the first half and Kulusevski struck after the break at the City Ground.

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Tottenham midfielder Yves Bissouma was sent off for a dangerous tackle with 20 minutes left, but the visitors held on for their second successive victory.

The north Londoners are level on points with fourth-placed Manchester City, who host Crystal Palace in their game in hand on Sunday (AEDT).

The win ensures Tottenham remain in striking distance of league leaders Liverpool, as well as second placed Arsenal and Aston Villa in third.

After winning for the first time in six league games last weekend when they crushed Newcastle, Tottenham’s confident display offered more evidence they have emerged from their autumn swoon.

Saluting his opening scorer, Postecoglou said: “Richarlison is a goalmouth monster. I’m really pleased with him in training and I was confident he could do a job for us.

Dejan Kulusevski and Richarlison celebrate a goal in Tottenham’s win over Nottingham Forest. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

“It’s a tough game here. You have to earn whatever you get. When the ball goes out for a throw-in, you feel like you’ve conceded a goal.”

Postecoglou was less impressed with Bissouma becoming Tottenham’s latest player to be sent off.

“We’ve had to deal with that a few times this year. You can’t go on like that because we’ll eventually pay a price for that,” he said.

“It’s a fine line between commitment to what we do and not overstepping the mark.”

Bissouma saw red in the 70th minute, dismissed for a high tackle on Ryan Yates after referee Jarred Gillett was advised to consult the pitchside monitor.

Ange floated as Man City successor

Postecoglou’s positive style of play has caught the eye of football pundits around the world, and now there’s even talk he could take over from Pep Guardiola as Manchester City’s next manager.

“What he’s done in such a short period of time is quite staggering,” Manchester United legend Gary Neville said.

“He’s put something in place that’s breathtaking to watch but actually, is quite complex when you watch it from a football point of view.”

“Spurs fans won’t like this but if you’re Man City losing Pep Guardiola in a year or two, you’re looking at Ange Postecoglou and thinking ‘wow, that’s exactly what we want to see’.

“But for the time being Spurs have just got to enjoy this because it’s brilliant to watch.

“What they can do is enjoy one of the best brands of football I’ve seen in 10 years since I finished playing football. I love watching Tottenham Hotspur play.”

Ange has made the football world sit up and take notice. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

Guardiola may well extend his contract with City, which expires at the end of the 2024-25 season.

The Spanish mastermind has led Man City to five English Premier League titles including a rare three-peat, as well as two FA Cups and City’s first Champions League crown last season.

Only Sir Alex Ferguson has won more EPL titles (13) in the Premier League era.

Australian football pundits said it was a huge vote of confidence in Postecoglou as a manager, although some doubted whether he would take the job at City.

Broadcaster Daniel Garb tweeted: “City Football Group are already enamoured with Ange from his time at Yokohama and Celtic (who they own a share in).

“Was on the Pep replacement list before he even went to Spurs. Would have to be a decent show, all things being equal.”

Football journalist Vince Rugari said: “Personally can’t see him going to a place that isn’t a fixer-upperer. But it’s crazy, Rado Vidosic was saying this exact thing like 5-6 months ago and it sounded certifiably insane coming from his mouth.”

Son, Richarlison star for Spurs

Tottenham forward Son Heung-min was subjected to some crunching tackles as Forest tried to rattle him, but the South Korean was unfazed, whipping in a cross that Pedro Porro headed wide.

Tottenham were dominating possession and they finished with a flourish in first-half stoppage time.

Kulusevski’s inswinging cross picked out Richarlison and, cleverly drifting away from his marker, the Brazilian rose to head home from five yards.

It was Richarlison’s third goal in his last two games after he had gone nearly three months without scoring.

Spurs are back in form. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP)

Willy Boly squandered a golden opportunity to equaliser early in the second half when the unmarked Forest defender fired over from close-range.

That was a the signal for a period of sustained Forest pressure, with Guglielmo Vicario sprawling to repel Gibbs-White’s drive.

Forest thought they had equalised when Anthony Elanga slotted home in the 58th minute, but the goal was disallowed by VAR for offside against the former Manchester United forward.

Reinvigorated by that escape, Tottenham doubled their lead in the 65th minute thanks to Turner’s catastrophe.

The Forest keeper’s weak clearance only reached Kulusevski and he danced into the area before drilling a powerful shot that beat Turner’s limp attempted save at the near post.

Forest pressed in vain in the closing stages, with Neco Williams’ deflected effort flashing just wide for a corner that forced Vicario to make a superb save from Harry Toffolo’s header.