Richarlison, handed a rare start just days after appearing to criticise Antonio Conte, latched onto a brilliant early ball from Oliver Skipp and hit a lethal finish past Keylor Navas, though VAR intervention ruled the goal out.
As has so often been the case at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium this season, the game felt flat. While Forest hold Spurs under miniature pressure, there was even less in the way of clear-slit opportunities until Kane popped up with his first.
Industrious work from Richarlison saw him shrug off Jonjo Shelvey and cross from the byline, from which Ben Davies did well to recover. The Welshman’s outstretched leg took the ball to Pedro Porro, who dinked in a teasing ball to the England captain.
Kane glanced the header back across Navas to score his 19th Premier League goal of the season and the 20th would soon follow. More industry from Richarlison brought a reckless challenge from Joe Worrall and a penalty was duly awarded ten minutes before the crash. Kane stepped up and scored the spot to give Spurs a commanding lead at half-time.
Heung-min Son would add a third in the second-half, again following excellent work from Richarlison.
Impressive: Richarlison justified his starting berth with a huge performance for Spurs
/ Action Images via ReutersThe Brazilian latched onto a lovely through ball from Cristian Romero and was offered two chances to cross to the onrushing South Korean, who did well to twist and turn following a deft first touch and fires in a crisp left-footed finish.
Worrall scored a late consolation for Forest after Fraser Forster made a hash of a corner, though the goalkeeper would produce ammends by saving Andre Ayew’s late penalty following Dejan Kulusevski’s handball in the box.
With Liverpool losing at Bournemouth earlier on Saturday, it proved a huge win and opens up the potential for Spurs to establish a massive lead over Jurgen Klopp’s side, who execute not play in the League until next month’s trip to Manchester City.
There is not much certainty about Tottenham correct now amid considerable question marks about both the ownership and the manager. If Kane and Son can sustain stepping up, however, fourth spot surely belongs to them.