Richarlison stars as Tottenham ease past Nottingham Forest

Brazilian responds to criticism from Antonio Conte by playing key role in 3-1 victory

Tottenham Hotspur's Brazilian striker Richarlison applauds the fans as he leaves the pitch after being substituted off during the English Premier League football match between Tottenham Hotspur and NoShow more

Richarlison responded to some pre-match criticism from his own manager by helping Tottenham secure a 3-1 win over Nottingham Forest in the Premier League on Saturday.

The Brazil striker played a key role in the second of Harry Kane's two first-half goals and Tottenham's third by Son Heung-min after the break.

In his news conference on Friday, Tottenham manager Antonio Conte described Richarlison as “selfish” for complaining about his lack of playing time and said the striker was correct to assess his season so far as “not good”.

But Conte handed Richarlison a start against Forest and was repaid with an all-action display that nearly included an early goal, only for the strike to be ruled out for offside.

Spurs 3-1 Forest - in pictures

The win consolidated fourth place for Tottenham in the race for Champions League qualification and came a few hours after Liverpool — their big rival for the top four — lost surprisingly at Bournemouth.

Kane headed home the opener in the 19th minute and converted a 35th-minute penalty after Richarlison was fouled.

Richarlison crossed for Son to control and finish sweetly in the 62nd before Joe Worrall scored a consolation in the 81st for Forest, whose substitute Andre Ayew had a penalty saved by Fraser Forster in stoppage time.