3/10s And Abysmal Failures: Tottenham Player Ratings Vs. Nottingham Forest In Shocking 3-0 Defeat

The latest Premier League weekend delivered one of the season's most stunning upsets, as Tottenham Hotspur were comprehensively dismantled in a brutal 3-0 defeat by Nottingham Forest at the City Ground on Sunday, December 14, 2025. This result, coming against a Forest side revitalized under new boss Sean Dyche, has sent shockwaves through North London, with nearly every Spurs player receiving a damningly low score in the post-match assessments. The performance was branded "woeful" and "abysmal" by pundits, highlighting a total team collapse that saw the visitors drop into the bottom half of the table. The magnitude of the defeat is reflected in the individual player ratings, where multiple Tottenham stars failed to even reach a score of 5/10. For Nottingham Forest, however, the day was one of triumph, with several players earning Man of the Match contention for their superb all-round effort, which secured a crucial three points and their best performance since the managerial change.

Tottenham Hotspur: The Abysmal Player Ratings (3/10s and Widespread Failure)

The overall feeling following Tottenham's performance was one of deep disappointment, with the team lacking cohesion, defensive solidity, and attacking threat. The ratings below reflect a collective failure, with the backline and key attacking players coming in for the harshest criticism.

• Guglielmo Vicario: 4/10 - The goalkeeper made a few classy saves but was ultimately shaky and could do little to prevent the three goals. His distribution was also noted as being uncharacteristically poor, contributing to the defensive instability.
• Pedro Porro: 3/10 - A truly abysmal outing for the full-back. He looked completely flustered, struggled with his defensive duties, and offered nothing going forward. His performance was cited as one of the worst on the pitch.
• Cristian Romero: 4/10 - Usually a commanding presence, Romero was uncharacteristically sloppy. He was caught out of position for a goal and failed to marshal the back line effectively.
• Micky van de Ven: 4/10 - While his pace often saves him, Van de Ven was part of a porous central defence. He struggled to contain the movement of the Forest attackers and made several poor clearances.
• Destiny Udogie: 5/10 - The least criticised of the back four, Udogie still struggled with the intensity and pressing of the Forest wide players. His attacking runs were nullified, leaving Spurs blunt on the left flank.
• Yves Bissouma: 3/10 - A catastrophic performance in the midfield engine room. Bissouma was slow, gave the ball away cheaply, and offered no protection to the defence. He was rightly substituted early.
• Pape Matar Sarr: 4/10 - Ran hard but lacked any real quality on the ball. He was completely overrun by the Forest midfield duo and failed to link up play between defence and attack.
• Dejan Kulusevski: 4/10 - The Swedish winger was anonymous for large spells. His usual creative spark was non-existent, and he failed to beat his man or deliver any meaningful crosses.
• James Maddison: 5/10 - The only player attempting to create, but even Maddison was below his best. His influence waned dramatically after the first goal, and he couldn't unlock the stubborn Forest defence.
• Brennan Johnson: 5/10 - Against his former club, Johnson looked eager but lacked the end product. He missed a decent chance and his decision-making in the final third was poor.
• Richarlison: 3/10 - Another abysmal rating for the Brazilian forward. He offered virtually nothing up front, was easily marked out of the game, and his lack of movement hindered any potential counter-attacks.

Substitutes: No Impact Off the Bench

The changes made by the manager did little to stem the tide, with the attacking substitutions failing to register a shot on target or change the momentum of the game.

• Oliver Skipp: 5/10 - Came on for Bissouma but couldn't bring the necessary control to the midfield.
• Timo Werner: 5/10 - His pace was not utilised, and he struggled to get involved in the limited attacking play.
• Giovani Lo Celso: N/A - Not on the pitch long enough to make an impact.

Nottingham Forest: The Standout Performers (High Marks and Total Dominance)

In stark contrast to their opponents, Nottingham Forest delivered a phenomenal performance, earning high praise and marks across the board. Under the tactical guidance of Sean Dyche, the team was disciplined, aggressive, and clinical, securing a crucial victory that will be a massive confidence boost for the club. The goals came from Sangare, who scored a spectacular effort, and Callum Hudson-Odoi, with an additional strike sealing the 3-0 result. The success was built on a solid defensive foundation and a midfield that completely dominated the tactical battle against the Spurs duo of Bissouma and Sarr.

• Matt Turner: 7/10 - A relatively quiet day, but he commanded his box well and made the saves required of him with confidence.
• Neco Williams: 8/10 - Excellent on the right flank, both defensively and offensively. His tireless running and crossing ability constantly troubled Udogie.
• Murillo: 9/10 (Man of the Match Contender) - A colossal performance at the heart of the defence. Murillo was a brick wall, winning every aerial duel and making crucial interceptions. His composure on the ball also helped Forest transition quickly.
• Willy Boly: 7/10 - A strong, experienced partner for Murillo, providing the necessary steel and leadership to keep the Spurs attack at bay.
• Harry Toffolo: 7/10 - Solid and reliable on the left, ensuring that Kulusevski was completely nullified throughout the game.
• Ibrahim Sangaré: 9/10 (Man of the Match) - The undisputed Man of the Match. Sangaré was immense in midfield, breaking up play, driving forward, and scoring a sensational goal off the post in the 79th minute to cap a magnificent individual display.
• Danilo: 8/10 - A perfect foil for Sangaré. His energy, pressing, and clever passing allowed Forest to control the tempo of the game and win the crucial midfield battle.
• Morgan Gibbs-White: 8/10 - The creative engine. Gibbs-White linked the midfield and attack brilliantly, constantly finding pockets of space and assisting in the build-up to the second goal.
• Callum Hudson-Odoi: 8/10 - Scored a crucial goal and looked lively throughout. His pace and directness were a constant threat to the exposed Tottenham full-backs, particularly Porro.
• Anthony Elanga: 7/10 - Used his speed effectively to stretch the Spurs defence, creating space for others and putting in a tremendous defensive shift.
• Chris Wood: 7/10 - A strong focal point up front. Wood held the ball up well, brought his teammates into play, and constantly occupied the two centre-backs, allowing the wingers to thrive.

The Tactical Implications and Future Outlook

The 3-0 defeat at the City Ground is more than just a loss for Tottenham; it’s a serious wake-up call and a major setback in their European qualification hopes. The abysmal player ratings, particularly the 3/10s handed to key players like Pedro Porro and Richarlison, point to a significant drop in form and a lack of tactical discipline. The midfield, in particular, was severely lacking, with Yves Bissouma's performance being a major cause for concern for the manager. For Nottingham Forest, the victory confirms the positive impact of the new management team, with Sean Dyche seemingly instilling a newfound steel and organization into the squad. The high marks received by players like Ibrahim Sangaré and Murillo suggest that Forest finally has a core of players capable of competing at the Premier League level with intensity and quality. The result will provide a huge psychological boost as they look to climb the Premier League table and solidify their position away from the relegation zone. The contrast in performance between the two teams was stark, with Forest's collective effort and individual brilliance completely overshadowing Tottenham's uninspired and disjointed display. This crushing defeat necessitates a serious reflection and immediate changes for the North London club.