Forest goal disallowed for handball by VAR

Nottingham Forest had a goal controversially disallowed by VAR in a 0-0 draw with Tottenham Hotspur at the City Ground on Saturday, September 5, 2026. The incident occurred in the 66th minute when defender Neco Williams bundled the ball over the line, only for the decision to be overturned for a handball, leaving both teams without a win in the Premier League this season. The sequence began when Morgan Gibbs-White's shot was saved by Tottenham goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky. The ball fell to Sandro Tonali, who failed to clear it, and Williams followed in to force it over the line. On-field referee Craig Pawson initially awarded the goal, but after a VAR review led by Peter Bankes, the decision was reversed. The Premier League Match Centre confirmed that VAR determined Williams handled the ball immediately before scoring and recommended the goal be disallowed. Pawson announced to the stadium that the ball touched Williams' hand, resulting in a direct free kick for Tottenham. Forest players and staff protested the decision, but it stood. Williams was adamant the goal should have counted, stating that he headed the ball between his arms and that the contact was not clear and obvious.