Tottenham held 0-0 at Nottingham Forest and still haven't scored in three league games
A VAR review chalked off a Neco Williams goal for handball, and neither side could find a way through after that. Nottingham Forest 0-0 Tottenham Hotspur means Spurs have failed to score in their opening three league matches for the first time since 1974.
The one moment that mattered at the City Ground came on 65 minutes, when Neco Williams bundled the ball home from close range — only for VAR to rule he had used his hand to help it in. Williams disputed it afterwards: "I headed it in between my arms... not one moment I thought I handballed it." The goal stood disallowed, and neither side found another way through.
It leaves Tottenham without a goal in their opening three Premier League games of the season for the first time since 1974, in Roberto De Zerbi's first week in charge. Omar Marmoush had chances but was wasteful in front of goal for the visitors.
Spurs had the ball, Forest had the box
Tottenham had 58.6% of possession and ten corners to Forest's two, but managed only two shots on target between both sides — and neither of them was theirs. Forest, with fewer of the ball, were the more direct side in front of goal.
Match facts
- 65' — Neco Williams (Nottingham Forest) — goal disallowed for handball after VAR review
| Stat | Nottingham Forest | Tottenham Hotspur |
|---|---|---|
| Possession | 41.4% | 58.6% |
| Total shots | 12 | 12 |
| Shots on target | 2 | 0 |
| Passes completed | 237 (76.2%) | 372 (84%) |
| Corners | 2 | 10 |
| Fouls conceded | 22 | 13 |
| Offsides | 2 | 1 |
| Yellow cards | 2 | 2 |
| Expected goals (xG) | 0.92 | 1.06 |
What's next
Nottingham Forest are 16th on 2 points and go to Aston Villa on Saturday 12 September. Tottenham sit 18th on 1 point, in the relegation zone, and host Everton the same day at their own stadium.
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