Tottenham's backline was active at both ends of the pitch in a 3-1 win against Nottingham Forest in north London on Sunday, with Micky van de Ven and Pedro Polo both scoring.
Spurs took the lead through Murillo's own goal and Chris Wood equalized before half-time, but goals from Van de Ven and Polo in the first five minutes of the second half sent the home crowd at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium brought victory to.
Watch full match replays of Tottenham vs Nottingham Forest
Spurs have moved up to fifth place with 60 points, ahead of Aston Villa on goal difference, and are well placed to face the Villains in a tough five-game series next on the list. Spurs will next face Newcastle, Manchester City, Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool in succession for a top-four (or -5) spot.
Forest sit in the bottom three on goal difference with Luton Town with 25 points, four points behind Brentford and Everton. Tricky Trees immediately play against Everton and Sheffield United before finishing the season at Burnley.
[ MORE: How to watch Premier League in USA ]
The present and future that Spurs dreams of
The project is not perfect, but Ange Postecoglou's Tottenham deserve to be in the top four, and with some players still getting used to the Premier League and others getting used to being professional, they are ahead of schedule. It's pretty advanced.
The key to Postecoglou's approach at Tottenham is similar to what we saw from him at Celtic. It's not that his system is easy, it's that he's been efficient in teaching these players the important parts of the system.
If Spurs can continue to play this well and gain the wisdom to eliminate many errors, which is a big assumption, then they will be a threat in any competition. And if Spurs can provide Postecoglou with European depth, there's no telling how high he can soar next season.
To dare is to do so, right?
Tottenham 3-1 Nottingham Forest player ratings (photomob.com)
What's next?
Tottenham depart for Newcastle at 7.30am ET on Saturday, just before Forest's 10am game against Wolves, who host them.
How to watch Tottenham vs Nottingham Forest live, stream links and start times
kick off: Monday at 3pm ET.
tv channels:peacock
online: Watch live on Peacock Premium
Tottenham vs Nottingham Forest Final score: 3-1
Scorers: Murillo (15'), Wood (27'), Van de Ven (53'), Polo (58')
Tottenham vs Nottingham Forest live updates — written by Nick Mendola
Great stuff — Tottenham 3-1 Nottingham Forest (58 minutes)
James Maddison spun back from the end line and Rodrigo Bentancur ducked down to head the ball.
That got through to Pedro Polo, who put his name on the scoresheet alongside defender Van de Ven with a great finish.
Mickey van de Ven's rocket! Tottenham 2-1 Nottingham Forest (53 minutes)
Spurs took the lead with an incredible shot.
They almost scored their 18th goal when centre-back Micky van de Ven picked up a square ball and smashed it straight into the goal.
Forest manager Mats Sells doesn't care. This was the definition of “pick it.”
The forest is right in front of you!
Ola Aina created a chance from the left and Ryan Yates darted into the box and fired home.
Vicario goes low and tries to knock it away, but Wood in front of him… smashes it off the post from close range!
A big loss for Spurs.
Chris Wood goal — Tottenham 1-1 Nottingham Forest (27 minutes)
Morgan Gibbs-White receives the ball in the right choke and streams Anthony Elanga into the right corner.
The Swede delivered a powerful cross that was partially crushed under the sliding feet of Cristian Romero, and Wood beat Pedro Polo.
He shot past Vicario and we tied the game.
Forest own goal — Tottenham 1-0 Nottingham Forest (15 minutes)
Timo Werner bursts down the left flank and hits a cross towards the back post.
Murillo tries desperately to stop it, but manages to direct it towards his own goal.
Murillo takes bold chances.
We are heading to north London. Spurs are wearing white while Forest are wearing a dark change kit.
It was mostly Spurs, but Murillo thinks Guglielmo Vicario missed the goal…and it is!
A shot from around 70 yards outwitted the Spurs keeper but went just wide of goal in the 11th minute.
tottenham line up
Vicario, Polo, Romero, Van de Ven, Udogi, Bissouma, Sarr, Maddison, Johnson, Son, Werner.
Nottingham Forest line-up
Sells, Aina, Danilo, Murillo, Omobamidele, Williams, Yates, Gibbs-White, Elanga, Hudson-Odoi, Wood.
Tottenham attention, team news
Former Forest player Brennan Johnson scored Spurs' only goal in Tuesday's 1-1 draw with West Ham, taking his tally to two goals and three assists in his last five PL games. Micky van de Ven has returned after missing the last two games after sustaining a minor hamstring injury against the Hammers.
OUT: Manor Solomon (knee), Ryan Sessegnon (thigh), Fraser Forster (foot) | Asked by: Richarlison (knee)
Nottingham Forest highlights, team news
Morgan Gibbs-White was typically sensational for Nuno Espirito Santo's side against Fulham, registering one goal and one assist in the first half, taking his tally to four goals and seven assists in 30 appearances this season. .
OUT: Taiwo Awoniyi (unreleased), Nuno Tavares (thighs) | Asked by: Willy Boley (unreleased)