Head coach Nuno Espirito Santo insisted Nottingham Forest did not have a point to prove as their 2-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur took them back up to third in the Premier League.
The Reds had dropped to sixth in the table prior to kick-off in the capital on Monday night, with some pundits questioning their Champions League credentials as a result. But they bounced back from successive defeats courtesy of goals from Elliot Anderson and Chris Wood.
The match was not without some nervy moments, though, including in the final minutes after Richarlison had reduced the deficit late on. But Forest came through to claim a huge victory. Below is a look at what Nuno had to say after the final whistle in north London.
On facing a test of nerves…
“The final minutes were full of anxiety and wishing the time to go faster. Tottenham had us against the ropes.
“We are very proud of the way we competed. We reacted really well from the previous performances.
“The team competed well. We started well with the two goals and were dominant - even without the ball, we tried to contain Tottenham.
“Even though they had chances, we had Matz (Sels) at a high level again and the clearance from Harry Toffolo. The spirit is about that. The way we compete is as a team.”
On starting well…
“We try. We wish that we could be more positive going forward in the second half, but you have to credit your opponent. When you are in front, the priority is to contain.”
On the importance of unity when under pressure…
“You need all the togetherness and help you can have. We do it. We help each other in those situations. Clearances off the line are all about that.”
On having Anthony Elanga and Callum Hudson-Odoi to carry the ball up the pitch…
“That is one of their main characteristics. They have the talent to give us this step forward high up the pitch.”
On being written off by pundits…
“First of all we have to realise that we are in a fight that no one expected - us included - and it’s normal. But I don’t want to prove nobody wrong. It’s about us.
“We have a big desire to compete. We like to compete and the players enjoy it.
“We are in the mix against big teams and that can only make us proud. We embrace the challenge.
“We are ahead of a big week for us - we’re going to Wembley to compete against a big team.
“There are a lot of games ahead of us. As long as we keep this approach and compete well, you never know.”
On playing after rivals have already played…
“I have been asked about that before. I honestly believe it doesn’t have an impact.
“Whether we play first or last, we have to keep the same approach. We have been trying to do it since the beginning of the season.
“We are not looking at what other people do, because we cannot control them. You have to go about your task on the pitch. I really believe that (the fixture schedule) doesn’t have an impact.”
On whether gaining a result against Spurs is particularly satisfying…
“No. Maybe you don’t know me enough to ask that question, but I am not that type of person.
“I was honoured to be manager of Tottenham; a huge club. I wish Tottenham all the best for the future. You wouldn’t ask that if you knew me better.”
On wishing time was going quicker at the end…
“Everybody! Us, the players, our fans, our fans at home, all counting the seconds!”
On whether the end of the season will be similar…
“No, the end of the season is going to be anxiety and nerves. We have to deal with that.”
On Toffolo’s clearance symbolising Forest’s spirit…
“Not only that. We have been talking a lot since the beginning of the season about the importance of the squad.
“Even though a player doesn’t start, I still believe he is going to play a part. And Harry did it.
“We are going to need them all. We are going to go to Wembley with players out and we have to find solutions, so every player in the squad has to commit himself to give a hand. Harry did it and did fantastic.”
On the importance of Wood getting on the scoresheet…
“Not only what he has been doing this season, but this nasty injury he had with the national team pushed him back. Last week, we pushed him. But today I think Chris felt more comfortable on the pitch. We are going to need everything Chris has to give us.”
On whether he expected to have a season like this…
“No. Why not? Basically because we don’t approach the competition like that.
“The aim was clear, it was how could we improve from last season? Last season, we stayed up on the last day of the competition, against Burnley.
“The moment we finished, the goal was just to improve. Don’t care about the table, just improve players and see how much we can get out of them. That was the priority.”
On managing Elanga after he picked up a knock recently…
“Yeah, but I think he is going to be OK. He did really well.
“He is always a threat for opposition defenders. He put in a fantastic cross (for Wood).
“It was up to decide to change it a little bit, to try to get what we got in the first half. I think he is going to be OK.”
On no Jota Silva in the squad…
“We don’t have Ola (Aina) or Eric Moreira, so we had Zach Abbott on the bench.”