Richard Branson’s next stop: Paris and beyond as he takes on Eurostar
Richard Branson’s next stop: Paris and beyond as he takes on Eurostar
Nottingham Forest denied win over Spurs after controversial VAR decision
Tottenham Edition
Your weekly briefing on Tottenham, featuring team news and expert analysis from Sam Tabuteau
I would like to be emailed about offers, event and updates from Evening Standard. Read our privacy notice.
A new image of Neco Williams’s disallowed goal against Tottenham has emerged.
The Nottingham Forest defender looked to have given his side the lead against Spurs on Saturday when bundling home on the goal line after Sandro Tonali and Jan Paul van Hecke failed to clear Morgan Gibbs-White's shot.
However, VAR intervened and rule the goal out for handball. The Premier League Match Centre confirmed: "VAR checked the referee’s call of goal to Nottingham Forest – and determined that Williams handled the ball immediately before scoring and recommended that the goal was disallowed."
Williams strongly disagreed with the decision, insisting he had headed the ball between his arms rather than making contact with his hand. The Wales international also questioned whether the incident met the “clear and obvious” threshold required for VAR to overturn the on-field decision.
“I’ve seen the images and the replays and at not one moment did I think I handballed it. I headed it in between my arms,” Williams said, expressing his frustration at the lengthy review. He also suggested that slowing down footage can make incidents appear different from what happened in real time.
During the analysis of the game on BBC's Match of the Day, pundit Danny Murphy argued that the evidence was not clear enough to disallow the goal amid suggestions that the player had headed the ball over the line between his two arms.
Henry Winter, journalist and podcaster, posted on X on Sunday morning that the "goal should have stood". He wrote: "Forest have every right to be frustrated at VAR Peter Bankes’ intervention and the review of Neco Williams’ goal-line effort against Spurs.
"It wasn’t a clear and obvious mistake by referee Craig Pawso ... even after repeated viewings it’s hard to tell whether it was handball or not. So not a clear and obvious error."
A few hours later, Winter followed up with questions over a foul by Tonali on Williams while attempting - and failing - to clear the ball. He added: "Debate about Nottingham Forest’s controversially disallowed goal now taking in should Sandro Tonali have conceded a pen[alty] for a high boot? And/or shouldn’t Neco Williams be allowed to protect his head from an incoming boot?
"[Referee] should have stuck with the original decision. VAR was not meant (originally) to be forensic. And I’ve yet to see a picture of the incident, even the latest ones, that categorically confirms it was handball.
"VAR has had a mare here, frustratingly, as the start to the season was, by and large, controversy-free."
BBC Sport reporter Dale Johnson, though, believes he has found firm evidence that Williams pushed the ball over the line with his forearms, thus confirming that the goal was correctly ruled out for handball.
He posted on X: "Fair position to take to say the VAR could not have the definitive evidence (it's not about clear and obvious) for the Neco Williams handball.
Read More
What we learned from Spurs draw as familiar problem goes unsolved
Why £85m signing did not start for Spurs amid Mudryk update
Nottingham Forest vs Tottenham LIVE: Latest score and updates from Premier League
Sponsored
Art After Dark is back with an exciting calendar of cultural events
"But this image (rather than another that has been widely used) does look conclusive that the ball came off Williams' right forearm."
Below is the image again zoomed in on the incident.
Nico Williams
Getty
What do you think? Leave a comment below.
MORE ABOUT
Summer recruits underwhelmed in bore stalemate
Sam Tabuteau, Sports Reporter
COMMENTS
Tottenham Edition
Your weekly briefing on Tottenham, featuring team news and expert analysis from Sam Tabuteau
I would like to be emailed about offers, event and updates from Evening Standard. Read our privacy notice.
Tottenham earned their first league point of the season as they secured a scrappy 0-0 draw away to Nottingham Forest.
In a game that lacked quality and clear-cut chances, Spurs held on to earn a rare clean sheet and an invaluable point.
Forest, meanwhile, will feel aggrieved not to have stolen the win after Neco Williams was adjudged to have handled the ball when bundling home on the goal line in the second-half.
Spurs stop the rot with battling performance:
It may not have been the result Spurs came for, but they at least put a stop to their losing run and ensured Forest were unable to make it four wins on the bounce against them.
This result and performance could in time prove a useful building block for De Zerbi as his side showed guts and concentration to hold onto what they had.
Spurs have dictated games with more authority than this and still ended up on the losing side, so to hurdle that particular mental barrier and earn their first clean sheet of the season is important.
De Zerbi’s side were imperfect - scrappy in possession and at times chaotic in defence - but they did enough to get their first point on the board, and that has to act as encouragement.
They fought admirably in the middle of the park and would have had something to show for their endeavour if they displayed more poise in the final third.
This performance may not live long in the memory, but it showed a team fighting in the same direction and committed to turning things around after a difficult start to the season.
Spurs’ scoreless run continues despite earning their first point of the season:
Roberto De Zerbi and Oliver Glasner were engaged in a war of words in the build-up to this afternoon’s clash, in essence suggesting they could predict exactly how the other was going to set up their team.
In fairness to the pair, their pre-match jibes rang true as Forest and Spurs played out an evenly contested but utterly uninspiring match at the City Ground.
Read More
Why £85m signing did not start for Spurs amid Mudryk update
Nottingham Forest vs Tottenham LIVE: Latest score and updates from Premier League
Spurs still searching for first win in bore Nottm Forest draw
Sponsored
Art After Dark is back with an exciting calendar of cultural events
There was just one shot on target in the opening 45 minutes, with both teams cancelling each other out as the ball got lost in a scrappy midfield contest, and there was no improvement in quality after the break.
Forest arguably edged the second-half and were unlucky to see Williams’ goal ruled out for handball.
For Spurs, though, this was an important point, but a performance devoid of any inspiration as they failed to register a single shot on target.
The north Londoners remain scoreless after three league games, and while they made adjustments in attack, with Savio and Omar Marmoush starting together for the first time, the same issues persist.
Ponderous possession and an inability to force high turnovers into shots on goal mean Spurs lack any tangible threat going forward.
This team is still a work in progress, but their attacking issues are not new. They get the ball in good areas but lack the creativity or quality to turn territory into opportunities.
Savio frustrates on unproductive full debut:
After a mesmerising performance off the bench against Charlton, expectations were high that Savio could be the man to finally inject some rhythm and incisiveness into Spurs’ attack.
The anticipation for Savio’s full debut had only grown after missing out through injury against Newcastle last weekend, but supporters were left frustrated on an afternoon when Spurs toiled in front of goal.
The 22-year-old saw plenty of the ball and offered flickers of promise, with short, sharp one-touch play, but ultimately there was too much pre-amble and not enough penetration from the young winger.
De Zerbi knows he has a task on his hands to develop Savio’s promise into productivity, and his performance this afternoon suggests there is work to do if the former Manchester City man is to fulfil his potential.
These are early days, and Savio, like the rest of his team-mates, is trying to work out his place in De Zerbi’s system. In weeks to come, though, De Zerbi will need to see more return on the club’s £85m investment.
MORE ABOUT
Tottenham earned their first point of the Premier League season, but are still after their first win of the campaign following a 0-0 draw with Nottingham Forest on Saturday afternoon. Roberto De Zerbi’s side had lost their opening two matches against Brentford and Newcastle, but handed a debut to Mykhailo Mudryk off the bench as they chased a maiden victory of the term.
The Chelsea loanee, however, had minimal impact as Spurs were fortunate not to lose this fixture, with Neco Williams thinking he had opened the scoring when he bundled over the line in the second half. The strike was ruled out for handball, and the visitors escaped the City Ground with a point, that they dug in to earn with the home side growing in confidence, buoyed by their raucous support.
Omar Marmoush missed a big chance for Spurs when he lashed wide, while Jair Cunha’s half volley narrowly missed the target. Dominic Solanke’s header late on was just over from Mohammed Kudus’ cross as the two substitutes linked up, but the spoils were shared in Nottinghamshire.
All eyes were on Chelsea loanee, who made long-awaited return to football
Sam Tabuteau, Sports Reporter
COMMENTS
Tottenham Edition
Your weekly briefing on Tottenham, featuring team news and expert analysis from Sam Tabuteau
I would like to be emailed about offers, event and updates from Evening Standard. Read our privacy notice.
Tottenham picked up their first point of the Premier League season as they were held to a 0-0 draw away to Nottingham Forest.
In a game lacking chances, Forest thought they had taken the lead in the second-half when Neco Williams bundled the ball in on the goal line.
After a VAR review, though, the goal was disallowed for handball, with neither team able to find the breakthrough late on.
Sam Tabuteau rated the Spurs players at the City Ground…
Antonin Kinsky 6: Did not have much to do, but was quick off his line and commanded his area well to earn a first clean sheet of the season.
Pedro Porro 6: Given license to roam, with Conor Gallagher filling in at right-back to allow him to push on. Aside from a neat ball in behind for Omar Marmoush in the first-half, though, he was unable to really influence the game in attack.
Micky van de Ven 6: Strong in the air against a physical Forest side, he defended astutely as Spurs at least came away with something to show for a battling display.
Jan Paul van Hecke 5: Part of the calamitous sequence that nearly led to Forest taking the lead. Has struggled at times to take ownership of situations inside his own box this season, and that continued here.
Destiny Udogie 6: Given 60 minutes on his first league start of the season. Sandro Tonali at times dropped into left-back to allow the Italian to push on, but Spurs lacked any real threat in the wide areas. Was not given much to think about defensively by Forest.
Untidy: Jan Paul van Hecke
AFP/Getty
Rodrigo Bentancur 6: De Zerbi described him as an important part of Spurs’ team pre-match, but even he will have been bewildered with the amount of responsibility he was given out of possession. with Gallagher and Tonali dropping into the full-back positions, Bentancur was left alone in the middle and he looked stretched
Sandro Tonali 6: Got away with a horrible attempt to clear the ball on his own goal line as Williams was adjudged to have bundled the ball in with his hand. On the whole, it was actually an improved performance from the Italian, though, who covered the most ground of any Spurs player.
Conor Gallagher 6: Helped Spurs contest the midfield battle, winning eight of his nine ground duels. Once again, though, it was in possession where he struggled to have an impact.
Read More
Nottingham Forest vs Tottenham LIVE: Latest score and updates from Premier League
Spurs still searching for first win in bore Nottm Forest draw
Transfer news LIVE: Arsenal January targets; Barcola debut reaction
Sponsored
Winter escapes and activities to end the year in style
Mathys Tel 4: Another frustrating afternoon for the forward, who could not get the ball under his spell. After an impressive pre-season, the Frenchman has struggled to get going. Completed just one of his five attempted dribbles.
Omar Marmoush 4: Showed good anticipation to nick in and win the ball high. But when it came down to it, he fluffed Spurs’ two biggest opportunities. Should have scored when put through by Porro and then had to get his head up, with Kudus free and in space on the break.
Huge miss: Omar Marmoush
Getty
Savio 6: Lively but unproductive on his Premier League debut for Spurs. Guilty of overplaying on the edge of Forest’s box and replaced on the hour mark by Kudus.
Subs:
Andy Robertson 6: Shored up the defence as Spurs held on for a first point and a first clean sheet of the season.
Mohammed Kudus 5: Put in an inviting delivery for Solanke, who could only stretch to head over the bar. The lack of quality on display from both sides was summed up when he conceded a foul throw-in in stoppage time.
Mykhailo Mudryk 4: Was unable to get himself into the game, taking just four touches in a little over 20 minutes on the pitch.
Mateus Fernandes 5: Picked up a yellow card within 33 seconds of coming on, his most notable contribution.
Dominic Solanke 5: Headed over from Kudus’ cross, a rare opportunity for Spurs to score in a game where they looked desperately short of attacking inspiration.
Unused subs: Dubravka, Senesi, Gray, Bergvall
MORE ABOUT
Spurs searching for first win of league campaign
Sam Tabuteau
COMMENTS
Tottenham Edition
Your weekly briefing on Tottenham, featuring team news and expert analysis from Sam Tabuteau
I would like to be emailed about offers, event and updates from Evening Standard. Read our privacy notice.
Tottenham return to Premier League action this weekend, still looking for their first points of the campaign as they travel to Nottingham Forest.
After a huge summer of change, upheaval was expected, yet the pressure is slowly building on Roberto De Zerbi after comprehensive defeats to Brentford and Newcastle.
Despite spending in excess of £300million this summer, there is little evidence that the scars of last season, when they secured top-flight survival on the final day, have been left behind.
Fitness concerns also continue to hamper De Zerbi, and he has admitted that the club’s pre-season tour has left his side physically ill-prepared for the start of the season.
Even the club’s newest signings have been unable to avoid the medical room, but De Zerbi says he hopes to have Savio, an £85m signing from Manchester City, back from a muscle injury in time to face Forest.
Despite coming off the bench to score and assist on debut against Charlton last week, the Brazilian was left out of the matchday squad against Newcastle after picking up an issue in training.
Doubt: Savio
AFP/Getty
Spurs desperately lacked cutting edge against Newcastle. But they will be boosted by the return of Mohammed Kudus, who came off the bench last weekend for his first appearance since January.
The Ghanaian has been out since the turn of the year after suffering a serious quad injury.
There was also more positive news on the injury front this week, with Dejan Kulusevski revealing that he has returned to full team training.
The Swedish playmaker has been out for over a year with a complicated kneecap injury but now appears to be closing in on a return to fitness.
Spurs will remain cautious with Kulusevski, who has undergone two separate surgeries to remedy the issue, but the 26-year-old finally looks to be making progress in his recovery.
The only pressing injury concern for De Zerbi is James Maddison, who suffered a shoulder fracture on the opening weekend against Brentford.
Read More
Chelsea XI vs Arsenal: Confirmed team news and predicted lineup
How to watch Ipswich vs Liverpool: TV channel and live stream
Arsenal XI vs Chelsea: Confirmed team news and predicted lineup
Sponsored
Rediscover your adventurous side on an exotic getaway
The 29-year-old missed the defeat to Newcastle and will be assessed in the lead-up to Spurs’ trip to the City Ground on Saturday.
Deadline day signings Mykhailo Mudryk and Tosin Adarabioyo are expected to be registered in time for the weekend, though De Zerbi will confirm in his pre-match press conference on Friday.
Tottenham predicted XI: Kinsky; Porro, Van Hecke, Van de Ven, Udogie; Bentancur, Tonali, Fernandes; Savio, Marmoush, Tel
Doubts: Kulusevski, Maddison, Savio
Injured: Simons, Odobert
Time and date: 3pm BST on Saturday, September 5, 2026
Venue: City Ground
MORE ABOUT
Spurs are pushing the player to leave after omitting him from Premier League squad
Sam Tabuteau
COMMENTS
Tottenham Edition
Your weekly briefing on Tottenham, featuring team news and expert analysis from Sam Tabuteau
I would like to be emailed about offers, event and updates from Evening Standard. Read our privacy notice.
Tottenham are running out of time to negotiate the sale of wantaway striker Richarlison, who is attracting interest from Turkey.
Richarlison was left out of Spurs’ Premier League squad on Thursday, having been informed that he was not part of Roberto De Zerbi’s plans this season.
That decision came after De Zerbi confirmed last weekend that Richarlison had expressed his desire to leave Spurs before the Premier League transfer deadline on Tuesday.
Despite talks with Richarlison’s former club Everton, who were prepared to pay an initial £25milllion, a deal collapsed, leaving the Brazilian stuck at a crossroads.
After his move to Everton fell through, Richarlison took to social media to state that he would not let other people dictate his future.
Wants out: Richarlison
PA
“After everything I’ve been through in the last few years, I’ve decided that never again will anyone decide my future for me,” Richarlison said in an emotional post.
“I went through a lot of bad things, and almost all of them happened because decisions were made by other people. Pressure, threats, retaliation – none of that scares me. I’ve been through far worse, believe me.
“I’ve always made it clear, every time I had the chance, that leaving for another club would only happen if it was also good for the club. If it wasn’t, I would never accept it. Just like I didn’t accept it when everything was going badly and they needed me.
“I stayed and gave everything. So, I hope they treat my situation with the same respect I’ve always shown Spurs and everyone who worked with me during this period. Just don’t try to decide for me.
“If they reach an agreement between Spurs and Everton, I will return to my beloved club. My intention was to go back to the place where I was very happy, yes, but the negotiations happened only in the way certain people wanted, and it will no longer be like that.
Read More
Transfer news LIVE: Arsenal target Martinez; Man Utd done deals
La Liga boss claims Arsenal made Deadline Day swoop for young forward
Tottenham XI vs Nottm Forest: Confirmed team news and predicted lineup
Sponsored
Winter escapes and activities to end the year in style
“Despite all this turmoil, I am under contract at Spurs and will remain at the club’s disposal.”
Richarlison would play alongside Mohamed Salah
AFP/Getty
Having failed to negotiate an exit to another Premier League club, Spurs and Richarlison have been left in a race against time to resolve the 29-year-old’s future.
The transfer market in Turkey remains open and Richarlison has attracted interest from Super Lig side Trabzonspor.
Richarlison, who was Spurs’ top goalscorer across all competitions last season, is said to be interested in the move, but a deal has yet to be reached as the deadline approaches.
Turkey’s transfer window closes on Friday, September 4, at midnight local time (TRT), which is 10pm UK time (BST).
Spurs and Richarlison are both keen to formalise an agreement but will need to move quickly or risk having to wait until January to negotiate his exit from the club.
MORE ABOUT
Tottenham have left Richarlison out of their Premier League squad, which was confirmed on Thursday evening.
Spurs have undergone wholesale changes this summer, with Roberto De Zerbi heavily backed in the transfer market.
The north London club have spent over £300million on the Italian, breaking the £100m barrier to bring in Sandro Tonali, while Savio and Mateus Fernandes were also brought in at high expense.
The arrival of Omar Marmoush on loan with an obligation to buy from Manchester City left Richarlison in a tricky position, falling down the pecking order of the club’s centre-forwards.
Dominic Solanke will remain at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, but De Zerbi revealed that Richarlison, formerly of Everton and Watford, had repeatedly asked to leave the club before the transfer deadline, which passed on Tuesday for Premier League clubs.
There had been interest from former club Everton for his services, with two separate deals agreed between Spurs and the Toffees that would see Iliman Ndiaye move to the capital and Richarlison return to Merseyside.
That, however, did not materialise, with no agreement struck between Richarlison and David Moyes’ side, while Ndiaye ended up at Man City.
Standard Sport understands that Richarlison, who has been the subject of reported interest from Turkish Super Lig side Trabzonspor, is not part of Tottenham’s plans this term, hence his omission from their league cohort.
The forward was told of the decision prior to Deadline Day on Tuesday, in order for a move to facilitated.
He still has time to find a new home, with the Turkish transfer deadline still open until Friday, September 4.
.jpg?width=1200&auto=webp&quality=75 "Tottenham reveal Tosin and Mudryk shirt numbers after double transfer announced - London Evening Standard")
Tottenham have confirmed Tosin Adarabioyo and Mykhailo Mudryk’s shirt numbers at the club after the completion of their transfers from Chelsea.
The former has been signed a permanent deal worth up to £12million, while Mudryk arrives on a season-long loan deal, with Spurs having the option to buy for £75m.
There were a handful of shirt numbers up for grabs for the new signings, but after Kevin Danso’s loan move to Sunderland, Tosin has been handed the No4 shirt.
This was the defender’s shirt number at Chelsea, though at former clubs he has worn a range of shirt numbers including: 24, 16 and 38.
Mudryk, meanwhile, who has been reunited with Roberto De Zerbi - who he played under at Shakhtar Donetsk - has been handed the No27 shirt at Spurs.
The winger is looking to get his career back on track after a doping ban was cut short on appeal in July, describing the move across London as “a great feeling”.
He said: I can't wait to start training and playing for the club, and I'm so excited to be reunited with Roberto De Zerbi.
"I'm a player who brings speed and creativity, and I want to help in both the offensive and defensive areas. I want to make the fans excited.”
De Zerbi said: "Having worked with Misha earlier in his career, I know exactly what he can bring to our team.
"He has the quality to change a game with his speed and ability in one-vs-one situations, and is an exciting, attacking talent.“
Mudryk and Tosin will join a raft of big signings like Omar Marmoush, Savio, Mateus Fernandes and Sandro Tonali for Spurs this summer.
Owners kept their word during a stunning summer, but final days proved frantic
Sam Tabuteau
COMMENTS
Tottenham Edition
Your weekly briefing on Tottenham, featuring team news and expert analysis from Sam Tabuteau
I would like to be emailed about offers, event and updates from Evening Standard. Read our privacy notice.
Tottenham enjoyed a groundbreaking summer transfer window, shaking off their self-imposed financial shackles to spend more than £300million on new players to fund Roberto De Zerbi’s rebuild.
After successive 17th-place finishes in the Premier League, Spurs’ owners knew they had to act in the transfer market.
Breaking their club transfer record twice in quick succession to bring in Mateus Fernandes and then Sandro Tonali, they also spent big on Brighton centre-back Jan Paul van Hecke and Manchester City duo Savio and Omar Marmoush, who has a £60m obligation to buy in his loan deal.
Premier League experience was central to their recruitment strategy, with Spurs also moving to add free agents Andy Robertson, Marcos Senesi and Martin Dubravka.
A double deadline day signing from Chelsea, bringing in winger Mykhailo Mudryk on loan and centre-back Tosin Adarabioyo for a fee of up to £12m, then rounded off a remarkable summer of change for Spurs.
Mateus Fernandes
Getty
The good
Spurs’ midfield overhaul grabbed headlines as the north London club splashed £185m to bring in Tonali and Fernandes from Newcastle and West Ham, respectively.
Spurs parted with huge sums and arguably overpaid for the pair, but it was a necessary investment given the club’s issues in the centre of the park.
Tonali is still taking time to adjust after a disrupted pre-season, while Fernandes has also had his fitness issues.
But up to full speed, it is clear how the two will fit into De Zerbi’s system, with Fernandes finding solutions under pressure and Tonali providing energy with and without the ball.
The bad
Spurs made a confident start to the transfer window, quickly identifying and securing their targets before the first batch of players had returned for pre-season.
Read More
Tottenham confirm Deadline Day signing in rare transfer move
Tottenham sign Chelsea star as shock Deadline Day loan confirmed
Ndiaye explains transfer decision after £65m Tottenham hijack
Sponsored
Choose the right education path for your child
Their business later on in the window, though, felt more erratic and reactionary as they responded to missing out on several key targets.
Having failed to get deals over the line for Cody Gakpo or Iliman Ndiaye, who picked Manchester City over Spurs on deadline day, De Zerbi’s side scrambled to secure the signature of Mudryk on a season-long loan.
The Ukrainian winger, who has not played a competitive match since November 2024 due to a doping ban, is a big risk and not the sort of sure-fire signing Spurs had made earlier in the window.
Furthermore, the addition of Tosin constitutes a downgrade on Kevin Danso, who left for Sunderland on deadline day.
Spurs’ hand was forced, with Danso expressing his desire to leave. But bringing in Tosin as his direct replacement is a concern and speaks to how Spurs got wrapped up in the dramatic final days of the window.
Sandro Tonali
Getty
The grade
Spurs moved quickly and decisively to get a number of their targets through the door early on.
But as the window progressed, it felt as though their decision-making became more frantic.
Missing out on key targets in attack has left Spurs short in an area that desperately needs improving, while a difficult pre-season has left many of their new additions struggling for match fitness.
Grade: B
What is needed in January
Despite signing Mudryk on loan, with a £75m option to buy next summer, Spurs still lack quality depth in attack.
It is a complicated situation, with De Zerbi having to balance the returns of Mohammed Kudus and Dejan Kulusevski from long-term injuries, but whether in January or next summer, attacking additions remain a priority.
Spurs could also do with a backup right-back following the departure of Djed Spence to Inter Milan. The versatile Archie Gray has filled in there, but that is not a viable long-term solution.
MORE ABOUT