Tottenham Hotspur's Ben Davies (left) under pressure from Nottingham Forest's Morgan Gibbs-White (right). Sports Press Photo

Nottingham Forest stay in Champions League hunt as Premier League top-four race tightens

By Matt Evans | Last updated Apr 22, 2025 8:27 AM ET

Nottingham Forest’s 2-1 victory over Tottenham Hotspur on Monday has added a dramatic twist to the Premier League’s top-five race, with only three points now separating five teams vying for a spot in next season’s Champions League.

Forest, in particular, have emerged as one of the surprise packages this season, now climbing back to third place, just one point ahead of fourth-placed Newcastle United, two points clear of Manchester City in fifth, and a mere three points ahead of Chelsea and Aston Villa, who sit sixth and seventh, respectively, on 59 points.

The win at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium marked a significant milestone for Forest. Goals from Elliot Anderson and Chris Wood—his 19th league goal of the season—secured the three points, despite Spurs dominating possession and shots on goal.

Nottingham Forest headed back up to third place following their 2-1 win against Spurs #TOTNFO pic.twitter.com/7LTMuwgl8y
— Premier League (@premierleague) April 21, 2025

Under the leadership of Nuno Espirito Santo, Forest displayed tactical discipline and resilience, executing a counter-attacking strategy to devastating effect. This result not only highlighted Forest’s growing ambitions but also reaffirmed the fierce competition for Champions League places.

The victory was also historic for Forest, as it was its first win at Spurs’ stadium since 1997.

As the season enters its final stretch, the race for Europe has become an incredibly tight affair. Several of the key contenders will face off in critical matchups that could ultimately decide their European fate.

Manchester City will take on Aston Villa, with both clubs eager to keep their top-five hopes alive. Chelsea still has head-to-head matchups with both Newcastle and Nottingham Forest.

With the added incentive of an extra Champions League spot this season, the competition for the top five is more intense than ever. Every match from here on out will feel like a cup final, with even the smallest slip-up potentially costing a coveted European spot.

The final weeks of the season promise to be a thrilling conclusion, full of twists and turns. With five teams in the hunt for Champions League qualification, this could be one of the most exciting finishes to a Premier League campaign in recent memory.

Matt Evans

Matt Evans is a sports journalist from the United Kingdom, now based in Paris, France. He has covered various sports including basketball, soccer, boxing, MMA, and motorsports. Over the past decade, Matt has focused heavily on the NBA and has worked with many established outlets on a variety of content

More must-reads: