'Ryan's goal changed game' - Roberto

Roberto Soldado pointed to Ryan Mason’s stunning 25-yarder as the turning point of Wednesday’s Capital One Cup tie against Nottingham Forest.

Trailing to Jorge Grant’s strike just after the hour mark, we got back on level terms when substitute Ryan let fly on only his fifth first team appearance for us.

Spanish striker Roberto then nudged us in front, before Harry Kane fired home in stoppage time to seal a 3-1 win against the Championship pace-setters and book a fourth round date with Brighton & Hove Albion at White Hart Lane.

“There are no easy games,” declared Roberto after notching his second goal of the season. “Nottingham Forest are top of the Championship and today they played very well. They made the game difficult for us.

“After Ryan scored our goal the game changed and it became easier for us. The second goal put their mentality down.

“I felt my goal was instinctive. Andros shot and I stuck my foot out quickly to touch the ball and divert it past the keeper who was already on the floor. It was a nice goal and it’s good for my mentality. The team needed this victory because this Saturday we have a big game – the derby against Arsenal. It’s a massive game.”

Having broached the subject of the imminent North London Derby, Roberto underlined the sense of determination among the squad to get a positive result against our close rivals.

“It’s different to every other game,” he said. “We remember the difficult games against them last season but now it’s a new season and we have a new mentality and we have a big opportunity to win a game in the Premier League after a couple of matches without a win.

“The fans always support the team and this game is double, there’s even more passion because it’s the North London Derby. Every player understands that this is a big game for us and we want to win it. Three points would be massive for us.”