Tottenham Hotspur talent Dejan Kulusevski blew Tim Sherwood away at Nottingham Forest on Friday night with a ‘wonderful’ assist for Richarlison to break the deadlock.
The 23-year-old made just his second assist of the Premier League season so far at the City Ground. Kulusevski whipped a perfect delivery into the Nottingham Forest box in the second minute of first-half stoppage time. It simply left Richarlison to head home from close range.
Kulusevski (65’) would also continue his spirited display in the second half to gift Tottenham a 2-0 win over Nottingham Forest. The 35-cap Sweden international now has five goals from 17 appearances this term. He has started in each of Spurs’ fixtures under Ange Postecoglou.
Dejan Kulusevski blew Tim Sherwood away at Nottingham Forest
Friday was not faultless for Tottenham, as Yves Bissouma received a red card at Nottingham Forest. He will now serve a four-match suspension but may not return until February due to the 2024 AFCON. But Kulusevski was a shining light and stunned Sherwood with his assist.
“It’s no surprise,” he told Premier League Productions (15/12, 20:59). “I think the surprise was that Spurs weren’t ahead just before half-time. But they got the goal they deserved.
“Obviously with the two goals against Newcastle, Richarlison has got confidence. Kulusevski has gone out onto the right and it’s a wonderful pass.”
Scoring away to Nottingham Forest, following his brace as Tottenham beat Newcastle United 4-1, has moved Richarlison onto four goals for the Premier League campaign so far thanks to Kulusevski’s ball. The 26-year-old has also laid on three assists in 14 games, starting in nine.
Tottenham Hotspur are relishing Dejan Kulusevski’s creativity
Only goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario (1,530) has featured for more minutes with Tottenham in the Premier League this term than Kulusevski (1,495) following their win against Nottingham Forest. Just Son Heung-Min (10) has scored more goals (5) than the Sweden winger, as well.
Postecoglou is relishing entrusting Kulusevski with a key role since taking over at Tottenham in the summer. He also relished moving the Stockholm native over to the right when Spurs lost Brennan Johnson to an injury. Kulusevski started the night with a more centralised role.
It did not matter where Kulusevski played to make an impact at Nottingham Forest, though. The forward had already created a great chance for Son to score in the opening exchanges before Richarlison repaid the winger’s work. Kulusevski then scored a thunderous goal, too.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
