Nottingham Forest were denied a Premier League goal by a VAR handball decision in their goalless draw with Tottenham Hotspur. Neco Williams saw his effort chalked off after a video review, a call that sparked debate but has since been backed by new footage.
The incident occurred during the match at the City Ground, which ended 0-0. Williams thought he had broken the deadlock, with the goal initially being awarded on the pitch. The Video Assistant Referee intervened, however, recommending an on-field review for a potential handball offence. After studying the monitor, the referee overturned the decision and disallowed the goal.
Replays broadcast during the match appeared inconclusive to many viewers. The angles available to the VAR officials at Stockley Park did not provide definitive proof that the ball had struck Williams' arm before crossing the line. This lack of clarity led to immediate criticism of the decision from some pundits and fans alike.
A different camera angle, not available to the VAR team during the live check, was released later. This footage clearly showed the ball making contact with Williams' arm before he finished. The report containing this evidence was published by Football London.
Former Premier League striker Jay Bothroyd was among those who questioned the call based on the live broadcast. "When I saw that straight away, I thought it was inconclusive," Bothroyd said, referencing the footage shown in real-time.
Former Tottenham manager Tim Sherwood agreed with that assessment during the match coverage, stating he saw no clear evidence of a handball. The subsequent release of the additional angle has shifted expert opinion.
Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher reviewed the new footage and confirmed the officials made the correct call. "We know they got it right because we've seen subsequent evidence," Gallagher stated, lending his authority to the VAR process.
The dropped points contribute to a challenging start to the season for Nottingham Forest. They currently sit 16th in the Premier League with 2 points from their first three matches, recording a draw, a draw, and a loss. Their recent form reads DDL.
Steve Cooper's side have scored just 2 goals while conceding 3, giving them a -1 goal difference. They find themselves 7 points adrift of early leaders Manchester City. Fans can track the team's progress in the standings throughout the campaign.
Attention now turns to the next fixture. Forest will look to get their first win of the season when they host Fulham at the City Ground on January 2, 2027. Fulham currently occupy 19th place, making it a significant early-season encounter near the bottom of the table.
The full schedule of upcoming matches is available on our fixtures page. The club will hope for a change in fortune and a more decisive outcome when they return to action in the new year.
