Tottenham offered the proper response to their tough week, albeit towards the proper opponents.A 3-1 win over struggling Nottingham Forest eased the strain on Antonio Conte and strengthened Spurs’ grip on fourth-place, as they opened up a six level hole to Liverpool, who misplaced 1-0 at Bournemouth earlier within the day.By the point Jurgen Klopp’s aspect play subsequent, at Manchester Metropolis on April 1, Spurs may very well be 9 factors clear if in addition they beat bottom-club Southampton subsequent weekend.That’s the reason Daniel Levy determined to maintain Conte in cost after Wednesday’s limp Champions League exit towards AC Milan and this victory, sealed by Harry Kane’s double and Heung-min Son’s strike, will elevate optimism that Spurs can return to the competitors subsequent time period by way of one other top-four end.Conte got here out swinging at his press convention on the eve of the sport and his fired-up response to all three objectives instructed there’s life in his expiring tenure but. The Italian was notably animated when Son’s sensible end simply after the hour all however ended Forest’s probabilities of a comeback, the top coach roaring to his bench and punching the air in celebration.READ MOREWhat ought to have been a routine win was not freed from blemishes, nonetheless, and Spurs had Fraser Forster to thank for protecting the scoreline comfy, the goalkeeper saving a stoppage-time penalty from Andre Ayew after Joe Worrall had lowered the deficit with an 81st-minute header, following a misjudgement by the previous England stopper.Kane planted a trademark header throughout Keylor Navas to open the scoring within the nineteenth minute and doubled Spurs’ lead from the penalty spot earlier than half-time after Richarlison was introduced down by Worrall.It was his first spot-kick since lacking for England within the World Cup quarter-final, and funky as you want.Again with a bang: Kane scored his first penalty since lacking one for England within the World Cup quarter-final / REUTERSRicharlison, who returned to the XI regardless of his explosive feedback om Wednesday night time, had a primary League objective for Spurs cruelly chalked off by the VAR for probably the most fractional offside inside 4 minutes. His emphatic end instructed Conte’s feedback on Friday, when the top coach agreed with the Brazilian’s evaluation that he has had a “s***” season, might have lit a hearth beneath the £60million signing.Pedro Porro was concerned in each Kane’s objectives, establishing the primary, and it was one other promising show from Oliver Skipp in the course of the park.Nearly as good as Spurs have been, although, they may not have requested for a extra obliging opponent after their grim week.Conte’s aspect have been there for the taking however the Premier League’s worst away crew supplied subsequent to nothing in the best way of depth, vitality or attacking intent within the opening 45 minutes.Steve Cooper’s aspect performed the primary interval at strolling tempo, providing solely the occasional menace in the best way of hopeful balls in direction of remoted front-man Brennan Johnson. The harm was completed by half-time, when Cooper made two attacking modifications, together with Ayew, which solely performed into Spurs’ fingers, creating area for the entrance three.Forest did look extra threatening, although, with Forster saving from Johnson, Serge Aurier and sub Emmanuel Dennis earlier than standing as much as Ayew’s weak penalty.They’d solely scored three away objectives this season earlier than right this moment, so Spurs ought to in all probability have been extra stable within the second half.Conte’s aspect, although, can solely beat what’s in entrance of them, they usually resisted being dragged all the way down to Forest’s degree within the first half, taking part in with an urgency which has typically been lacking this season to provide themselves a cushion.Nonetheless combating: Antonio Conte won’t be at Tottenham for for much longer however there’s nonetheless a prime 4 battle to be received / Tottenham Hotspur FC by way of Getty ImagesIn the circumstances, they deserve credit score for lifting themselves to a much-needed win, which is able to restore confidence for the run-in.Each sport now appears like a keep of execution for Conte given he’s all however sure to go away the membership when his contract is up on the finish of the season however there’s now, at the least, extra sense that he might final that lengthy.Conte tends to do his finest work when his sides solely have one sport per week, in any case.Newcastle might nonetheless leapfrog Spurs in the event that they win their three video games in hand, beginning at dwelling to struggling Wolves on Sunday, however Levy and supporters, who have been vocal within the second half, ought to now sense that one thing may be salvaged from this disappointing and underwhelming season.