Tottenham Held Scoreless as VAR Denies Nottingham Forest Winner

Tottenham Hotspur's wait for a first Premier League goal of the season continued with a 0-0 draw against Nottingham Forest at the City Ground on Saturday. The Guardian reported that Tottenham did not register a shot on target, while both teams remained without a league victory after the stalemate.

Watch the highlights:

Forest came closest to breaking the deadlock when Neco Williams forced the ball over the line during a second-half scramble. Liam Delap had released Morgan Gibbs-White, whose attempt took a deflection and moved toward goal as Sandro Tonali and Jan Paul van Hecke tried to intervene. Williams reached the loose ball and initially appeared to have put the hosts ahead.

The goal did not survive review. Video assistant referee Peter Bankes examined the incident before referee Craig Pawson announced that the ball had touched Williams' hand prior to crossing the line. Tottenham were awarded a free-kick, overturning the moment that had briefly given Forest hope of taking all three points.

Clear chances were scarce as the teams' three-man defensive systems largely cancelled each other out. Forest defender Murillo sent an overhead kick over the crossbar from a recycled corner in the first half. The home side's only shot on target was a long-range effort from James McAtee, aside from Gibbs-White's attempt in the buildup to the disallowed goal.

Tottenham introduced Mykhailo Mudryk with 16 minutes of normal time remaining, marking his first competitive appearance in 645 days, according to The Guardian. Dominic Solanke also came off the bench and headed onto the roof of Matz Sels' net in the 88th minute, but the visitors could not produce a decisive finish. Savio made his Spurs debut, while Tonali's work was more notable defensively than in attack.

The result extended Tottenham's scoreless league run to three matches. Their only goals of the season have come in a 5-1 Carabao Cup victory over a Charlton B team, while their league record stands at five conceded and none scored. Tottenham next host Everton, and Nottingham Forest travel to Aston Villa, with both clubs still seeking their first Premier League win of the campaign.