When Forest strolled out of north London with a 3-0 win at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium 28 days ago it felt seismic.

They were only three points above the relegation zone, but the magnitude of the win could not be understated.

It was Pereira’s first win as Forest manager and the nature of the victory felt huge, with Gibbs-White scoring a game-clinching second.

Fast forward a month and Gibbs-White’s hat-trick piles more misery on Spurs and gives them another reminder of what could have been.

A move to Tottenham appeared done in July when it appeared his £60m release clause had been triggered.

Yet Forest looked to take legal action and were furious with Tottenham‘s conduct and were adamant they had not been given permission to speak to their player.

Gibbs-White went on to sign a new three-year contract a few weeks later and the saga was perhaps a prelude to the two club’s chaotic seasons, with Forest going through four managers and Spurs close to their first relegation since 1977.

“A massive three points. We knew how important this game was coming into it. The first half was a bit nervous, tense,” Gibbs-White told BBC Match of the Day.

“The words from the gaffer was to give it everything out there – whatever will be will be. They boys came out fighting, took our chances when we needed to and controlled the game.

“The first, I was a bit erratic. I knew for the second one to take a touch and be a bit more composed. When the third went in, it was a delight.

“We got the win and we have that gap.”

Instead of potentially spearheading Spurs’ survival bid, Gibbs-White has delivered another hammer blow.

Spurs, in 18th, will be four points from safety if West Ham beat Crystal Palace on Monday.

Ex-Tottenham midfielder Danny Murphy told Match of the Day: “It is strange how football works.

“One of the things Spurs fans have been vocal about is the club not being able to get good players signed and over the line.

“Whether that could be through the inability to negotiate properly, whether it’s financial, who knows?

“But, ultimately, a player like Gibbs-White would have been brilliant for Tottenham this season and would have hit the ground running – unlike Xavi Simons, who is a good player but has taken time to adapt.

“Today is a double kick in the stomach for Spurs as he could have been the man to save them from trouble. Instead, he’s given Forest a huge boost to beat the drop.”