Tottenham Earn First Point in 0-0 Draw at Forest as Williams Goal Disallowed
Tottenham Hotspur earned their first Premier League point of the season in a 0-0 draw against Nottingham Forest at the City Ground after a second-half goal by Neco Williams was disallowed for handball.
Disallowed goal at the City Ground
Nottingham Forest and Tottenham Hotspur played out a 0-0 draw on Saturday at the City Ground, leaving both clubs without a Premier League win after three matches. The defining incident of the match occurred midway through the second half when Forest appeared to take the lead. Following a deflected effort from Morgan Gibbs-White that Sandro Tonali and Jan Paul van Hecke attempted to clear near the goal line, defender Neco Williams stooped to head the ball into the net. Referee Craig Pawson and VAR Peter Banks disallowed the goal after replays indicated the ball struck Williams on the arm as he crossed the line, leaving the home crowd and Forest players incensed. The ruling preserved the scoreless scoreline and prevented Tottenham from suffering three consecutive defeats to open a league campaign for the first time since 1980.
Tottenham's attacking drought
The clean sheet provided Tottenham with their first point of the league campaign following opening losses against Brentford and Newcastle. However, Roberto De Zerbi's side extended their goal drought, failing to score in their opening three league fixtures for the first time since the 1974–1975 season. Excluding a 5-1 victory against a Charlton Athletic B team in the Carabao Cup, Tottenham have conceded five goals and scored zero in competitive matches this term. Spurs struggled to test Forest goalkeeper Matz Sels throughout the contest. Egypt international Omar Marmoush missed Tottenham's best openings, dragging a shot wide in the first half after being played through by Pedro Porro and firing over the crossbar in the second period. Defender Micky van de Ven headed wide from a set piece, and late substitute Dominic Solanke directed a header onto the roof of the net in the 88th minute.
- Defeat against Brentford
- Defeat against Newcastle
- 0-0 draw at Nottingham Forest
Summer transfers and lineup changes
Tottenham entered the fixture under scrutiny following a summer transfer window in which outlays exceeded £350m across 10 senior additions, with total expenditure approaching £400m. The match featured the Premier League debut of Brazilian winger Savio, signed from Manchester City for £75m after missing the previous match due to minor muscle fatigue. Midfielder Sandro Tonali, a £92.5m acquisition from Newcastle, delivered an effective defensive performance, breaking up Forest attacks and initiating transitions. In the closing stages, Mykhailo Mudryk came on as a substitute to make his first competitive appearance in 645 days. Tottenham played without last season's top scorer Richarlison, who trains separately from the first team and was left out of the 25-man squad after rejecting a transfer to Everton.
- Sandro Tonali
- 92.5 £m
- Savio
- 75 £m
- Liam Delap
- 50 £m
Winless starts for both sides
Nottingham Forest are also waiting for their first Premier League victory and their first home goal of the campaign as manager Oliver Glasner reshapes his squad. Forest gave a home debut to £50m striker Liam Delap, who was closely marshalled by Tottenham's central defence before being replaced by Igor Jesus in the second half. Forest's sole registered shot on target was a 30-yard strike from James McAtee. Despite fan support for De Zerbi in the away end, including a Birra Moretti-themed banner marking his arrival in March, both teams remain winless near the bottom of the standings. Tottenham host Everton in their next league fixture, while Nottingham Forest travel to face Aston Villa.
