'They brought quality': Ange Postecoglou's inspiring message to Tottenham duo in Nottingham Forest win

Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou says Rodrigo Bentancur and Pierre-Emile Højbjerg brought energy and quality into the game after replacing Yves Bissouma and Pape Matar Sarr.

Spurs were drawing at half-time and manager Postecoglou switched things up, replacing two of his regular midfielders and the move yielded the desired results.

The win takes them back into the top four of the league table for the first time since February and after the game, Postecoglou was full praise for his substitutes.

He told reporters: “Yes it made a difference. It wasn't anything Biss or Pape did. I just thought I have the luxury of a strong squad now which I didn't for the middle part of the year and I thought we needed some energy and legs in the midfield for the second half because I could see Forest were working really hard to maintain their grip on the game.

“I thought Pierre and Roddy were outstanding in the energy they brought and the quality they brought in the second half.”

Race for Champions League football

The win takes the Lilywhites back into a brilliant position to finish fourth and guarantee Champions League qualification after a one-year absence from the competition.

And even if they do miss out on fourth place, fifth may be enough to qualify for the Champions League. They are also finding ways to win without some of their key players, James Maddison hasn't been great since he returned from injury and captain Son Heung-min was wasteful but that didn’t matter as the three points were secured.