Nottingham Post

Former referee Dermot Gallagher insists new footage shows the “right” call was made over Nottingham Forest’s disallowed goal against Tottenham Hotspur.

Neco Williams thought he had put the Reds in front in the second half of Saturday’s Premier League clash at the City Ground. The Welshman bundled the ball into the net after a Morgan Gibbs-White effort had spun off Antonin Kinsky and Spurs had made a mess of clearing it.

Referee Craig Pawson initially signalled it was a goal but following a VAR check it was ruled out for handball. The controversial decision proved to be a big moment in the 0-0 draw and Forest were left furious at the outcome.

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Sky Sports have obtained additional footage of the incident, which they say is from a tactical camera and was not available to VAR at the time the decision was made. Discussing the disallowed goal on Ref Watch, Gallagher says the officials made the correct call.

“We know they got it right because we've seen subsequent evidence,” he said in reference to the newly-released footage. "They looked at it long enough. They studied it and studied it, and in the end they came to the conclusion that he handled it.

"The more they looked at it, the more they were going to be convinced he had handled it because if he hadn't, they'd have cleared it very quickly."

Explaining the decision, the Premier League Match Centre account on X had said on Saturday: “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. REF: ‘After review, the ball touches the hand of Nottingham Forest No.3 before the goal is scored. The final decision is a direct free-kick for Spurs’.”

Speaking post-match, Williams insisted the ball did not touch his arm. Reds head coach Oliver Glasner said the decision was tantamount to guesswork by the officials.

Pundit Jay Bothroyd added on Ref Watch: “When I saw that straight away (before the new footage), I thought it was inconclusive. You can't tell from that view. I was looking at the right elbow more, and now that I have seen it, I can see the left hand, but initially it wasn't conclusive to me. There (looking at new footage), I'm saying yes, he's handled that."

Tim Sherwood added: “I'm the same as Jay. I didn't think there was any clear evidence (at the time) to suggest it was handball. It was a great decision on the basis of this (new footage), but they never saw that, so what they were looking at there wasn't enough evidence."

Williams said after the match: “I headed it in between my arms. If you're going to pause it, it's going to look like it hit my arm but it didn't hit my arm. VAR is there to intervene with clear and obvious errors and that wasn't clear and obvious.

“I have seen all the images and at not one moment can you tell that has clearly hit my arms because it never. I knew straight away I've headed it down in between my arms.”

Murillo fitness issue addressed after Nottingham Forest draw vs Spurs  Nottingham Post

Nottingham Forest’s wait for a first victory of the season goes on as they were held to a 0-0 draw by Tottenham Hotspur at the City Ground.

The Reds will feel they should have taken all three points, though. Neco Williams was controversially denied a second-half winner when VAR ruled out his goal for a handball.

Looking to build on last weekend’s 2-2 draw at Liverpool, head coach Oliver Glasner handed a first start to summer signing Liam Delap. It was Murillo and James McAtee who had the first sights of goal for the hosts, though, as the hosts grew into the game after a somewhat sloppy start.

Spurs had already posed a threat from a run of corners by that point and they really should have taken the lead with 17 minutes gone. Omar Marmoush somehow dragged an effort wide when clean through with only Matz Sels to beat.

Morgan Gibbs-White and James McAtee responded by trying their luck for the hosts but it was defender Jair Cunha who almost broke the deadlock. The Brazilian’s fierce effort from outside the box was a whisker away from going the right side of the crossbar.

Gibbs-White then had a good chance shortly before the whistle when put through by Delap. When the playmaker shot straight at Antonin Kisnsky his blushes were spared by the offside flag, but replays suggested it was close.

Neco Williams thought he had made the breakthrough with a header with little more than 20 minutes to go. The Welshman made sure Gibbs-White’s clipped effort went in, but a VAR check deemed the ball hit his hand on its way in.

The City Ground let the officials know what they thought of that decision as it left Forest still searching for their first win of the season.

Head coach Oliver Glasner has almost a full Nottingham Forest squad to pick from for Saturday’s crunch clash with Tottenham Hotspur.

Midfielder Ibrahim Sangare is available for the Premier League match at the City Ground (3pm kick-off) having recovered from the knock that kept him out of last weekend’s 2-2 draw at Liverpool. Full-back Nicolo Savona will be the only absentee, and the Italian is making progress in the knee injury that has sidelined him since last season.

When he is back in action, Glasner sees Savona as an option to fill in at centre-back given it is an area where the Reds are a little short of natural cover. Following the departures of Morato and Zach Abbott on loan, they are left with Murillo, Nikola Milenkovic, Ousmane Diomande and Jair Cunha as the natural centre-backs but both Savona and Ryan Yates are capable of slotting in there.

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“I think Nicola Savona can play this, he has the physicality,” Glasner said. “He's a right-back but he can also play centre-back

“He had a setback and today was his first time back on grass. Now we need to build him up step by step. Hopefully he can fully train with us during the international break or afterwards, and then he should be back soon.”

On his squad to face Spurs, Glasner added: “The good thing is everyone is fit, just Savona. But even now we have a small squad, with 20 on-field players fit, I still have to leave two players out tomorrow.

“Everyone has had really tough and intense training sessions, yesterday and on Tuesday. Everyone gave their all, and then the nice manager has to come and say, ‘Well done on the entire week but Saturday, you’re in the stand’.

“For me, it’s the worst decision I have to make as a football manager. It’s easy to make it if I see a lack of effort, because then I think the player doesn’t deserve to be in the match day squad.

“But if I see 100 per cent effort from everyone but still have to tell two players, ‘Sorry, but you can’t make the match day squad’ I understand every disappointment. But on the other side, we are all in professional sport and get paid a few pounds so you have to deal with the situations. But this decision is still the one I hate making the most.”

Nottingham Forest have a few pieces of transfer business they want to tick off as they look ahead to the upcoming season.

After last term’s relegation battle, the Reds want to get back to competing for European football under Oliver Glasner. Although they have a strong group already in place, a few key additions are being targeted to bolster the new head coach’s resources.

Xaver Schlager became the club’s first signing of the summer window when he penned a two-year deal last week. The midfielder arrived as a free agent after leaving RB Leipzig at the end of last season.

But despite having already brought in Schlager, Forest are keen to further strengthen in the centre of the pitch. With Tottenham Hotspur youngster Lucas Bergvall a target, the Nottingham Post takes a look at the state of play…

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Story so far

The Reds have a void to fill in midfield this summer, following Elliot Anderson’s £116 million move to Manchester City. Schlager has been brought in to help plug the gap, and Bergvall is also wanted.

Bringing in young players with the potential to improve and increase in value has been a key feature of Forest’s transfer strategy in recent windows. The 20-year-old Swede fits that template.

An initial £38 million bid from the Reds for him was rejected, but the club are not giving up on their pursuit. Newcastle United have also been credited with an interest Bergvall.

The Sweden international has reportedly informed Spurs of his desire to move on this summer. He is believed to have concerns over a lack of game time in the capital.

Under Roberto De Zerbi, who took charge in March, he made just one start and played a total of 112 minutes. A potential move to the City Ground is understood to appeal to the midfielder.

Various price tags have been mooted for the player, comprising anything from £45-60m. After last summer’s transfer saga involving Morgan Gibbs-White, it remains to be seen how willing Spurs might be to do business with Forest.

What has been said?

Bergvall was named in Spurs’ starting XI for Wednesday’s pre-season friendly against Sydney FC. Afterwards, De Zerbi was asked if the player had expressed a desire to leave and replied: “No, never.”

De Zerbi added: “I’m always being very clear with him and with you. I would like that he stays with us. I think he’s potentially a top, top, top player, but then I don’t want to convince anyone to stay.”

Tottenham have brought in Matheus Fernandes and Sandro Tonali this summer, which could impact Bergvall’s chances of playing. The increased competition facing the player is something De Zerbi is aware of.

He added: “Tottenham is already, without me, a top club and we are not to convince anyone to stay. He can find the space if he stays with us.

“The competition within the players will be very strong because we are Tottenham and we have to build a strong squad. Not just 11 players.

“It’s very clear, his idea. He wants space. He wants to play as a double pivot as a position. I can’t give, for any player in the world, the place in the first XI guaranteed, especially for me, I want to be honest with the players. I want to be clear.”

He continued: “I am speaking with (Bergvall) before the end of the last season, during the World Cup two times but now we are speaking better, face to face, without a competition in this moment.

“I would like that he stays. I would like that he stays, but if he doesn’t want, then what can I do? Nothing.

“He has to speak with Vinai (Venkatesham, chief executive) or Johan Lange (sporting director). To stay with us, we have to have the right spirit to stay. He’s a good guy. We will see in the next weeks.”

Previously, De Zerbi had been asked whether Bergvall being included in Tottenham’s touring party in pre-season should be seen as an indicator of his future. He said: “Listen, I was very clear at the start of my time in Tottenham. I said, 'Who doesn't want to stay in Tottenham, who is not happy, is not proud to stay here, has to leave'.

“I want proud players who are happy to stay here and to go on the pitch at Tottenham Stadium with a big motivation. If you think also in the World Cup, the motivation makes the difference. The motivation is to be happy to stay in one team.

“Without problems, Lucas is a big, big talent. There will be a big competition to play because at the end I think we will be two players for each position.

“If he wants to stay, I will be happy. Otherwise, we have to find a new solution with (sporting director) Johan Lange, with Vinai (Venkatesham, chief executive). It's not my business after the decision to leave (if that happens).”

What about Bergvall?

Bergvall was asked about his future in the capital after his country lost to France in the World Cup’s round of 32. The midfielder had been in the starting XI for the 3-0 defeat.

He said: "I want continuous matches in my position. That is the only goal. We’ll see what happens in the future. I’ve only been focused on the World Cup until now."

Throughout his involvement in the tournament, Bergvall gave little away when quizzed on whether he wants to move on this summer. He said at the time: "As I said, my focus has been on the World Cup. We’ll deal with whatever comes next. I don’t know – we’ll see.”

Boss Roberto De Zerbi has made clear he wants Nottingham Forest target Lucas Bergvall to stay at Tottenham Hotspur.

The Sweden international is wanted by the Reds as they look to strengthen Oliver Glasner’s squad for the new season. They have already had a £38 million bid for him rejected but are expected to maintain their pursuit.

Bergvall is understood to be attracted by a potential move to the City Ground, having reportedly informed Spurs of his desire to move on. Speaking after the 20-year-old started a pre-season game against Sydney FC on Wednesday, De Zerbi dismissed suggestions the midfielder had asked to leave the club but insisted he must have the “right spirit” to stay.

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“I’m always being very clear with him and with you. I would like that he stays with us,” De Zerbi said. “I think he’s potentially a top, top, top player, but then I don’t want to convince anyone to stay.”

Bergvall is believed to be concerned about a potential lack of game time in the capital this coming season. He struggled for minutes after De Zerbi took charge in March and is facing increased competition for a place in the team due to Tottenham strengthening their midfield options this summer.

“Tottenham is already, without me, a top club and we are not to convince anyone to stay. He can find the space if he stays with us,” De Zerbi continued.

“The competition within the players will be very strong because we are Tottenham and we have to build a strong squad. Not just 11 players.

“It’s very clear, his idea. He wants space. He wants to play as a double pivot as a position. I can’t give, for any player in the world, the place in the first XI guaranteed, especially for me, I want to be honest with the players. I want to be clear.”

De Zerbi added: “I am speaking with (Bergvall) before the end of the last season, during the World Cup two times but now we are speaking better, face to face, without a competition in this moment.

“I would like that he stays. I would like that he stays, but if he doesn’t want, then what can I do? Nothing.

“He has to speak with Vinai (Venkatesham, chief executive) or Johan Lange (sporting director). To stay with us, we have to have the right spirit to stay. He’s a good guy. We will see in the next weeks.”

Newcastle have also been linked with Bergvall. Asked if the player had expressed a desire to leave, De Zerbi replied: “No, never.”

Roberto De Zerbi is prepared to let Nottingham Forest target Lucas Bergvall leave Tottenham Hotspur this summer.

The Reds have already had a £38 million bid for the 20-year-old rejected by their Premier League rivals. However, it is expected they will return with a fresh offer worth in the region of £45m as they work to strengthen new head coach Oliver Glasner’s squad.

Bergvall, who represented Sweden at the World Cup, is said to have informed Spurs of his wish to move on this summer amid concerns over a lack of game time. He made just one start and played a total of 112 minutes following the appointment of De Zerbi as manager in March.

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The young midfielder is part of Spurs’ 35-man squad currently on a pre-season tour of New Zealand and Australia. However, his future remains up in the air and De Zerbi has stated players who are not happy at the club should move on.

Asked whether Bergvall being included in Tottenham’s touring party should be seen as an indicator of his future, De Zerbi said (via Football London): “Listen, I was very clear at the start of my time in Tottenham. I said, 'Who doesn't want to stay in Tottenham, who is not happy, is not proud to stay here, has to leave'.

“I want proud players who are happy to stay here and to go on the pitch at Tottenham Stadium with a big motivation. If you think also in the World Cup, the motivation makes the difference. The motivation is to be happy to stay in one team.

“I have not spoken with Lucas yet, I will in the next days. And we will make the best decision for the club, for Lucas, for me, for every one of us.

“Without problems, Lucas is a big, big talent. There will be a big competition to play because at the end I think we will be two players for each position.

“If he wants to stay, I will be happy. Otherwise, we have to find a new solution with (sporting director) Johan Lange, with Vinai (Venkatesham, chief executive). It's not my business after the decision to leave (if that happens).”

De Zerbi was speaking prior to Spurs’ match against Auckland FC, played in the early hours of this morning (Sunday) UK time. Bergvall did not feature in the 2-0 victory.

Forest have already strengthened their options in the centre of the pitch, with the arrival of free agent Xaver Schlager. Adding another midfielder is on their to-do list, with Bergvall a top target following the £116m departure of Elliot Anderson to Manchester City.

Nottingham Forest are expected to test the resolve of Premier League rivals Tottenham Hotspur once again with a second offer for Lucas Bergvall.

The Reds are set to make free agent midfielder Xaver Schlager their first signing of the summer transfer window. The Austrian will help to fill the void left by Elliot Anderson, following the England international’s £116 million switch to Manchester City, but further reinforcements in the middle of the pitch remain a possibility.

Bergvall has been on Forest’s radar for some time and a bid worth in the region of £38m was rejected last week. According to The Telegraph, the club are ready to try their luck again with a £45m offer.

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Bergvall, who represented Sweden at the World Cup, is said to have informed Spurs of his wish to move on this summer amid concerns over a lack of game time. He made just one start and played a total of 112 minutes following the appointment of Roberto De Zerbi as manager in March.

It has been reported Tottenham have made it clear the 20-year-old is not for sale. Nevertheless, a £45-50m price tag is said to have been placed on the youngster’s head.

Bergvall was asked about his future in the capital after his country lost to France in the World Cup’s round of 32. The midfielder had been in the starting XI for the 3-0 defeat.

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He said: "I want continuous matches in my position. That is the only goal. We’ll see what happens in the future. I’ve only been focused on the World Cup until now."

Throughout his involvement in the tournament, Bergvall gave little away when quizzed on whether he wants to move on this summer. He said: "As I said, my focus has been on the World Cup. We’ll deal with whatever comes next. I don’t know – we’ll see.”

Schlager is on course to become Forest’s first arrival of the Oliver Glasner era. Glasner was appointed as head coach last week and is preparing his charges for the upcoming 2026/27 campaign.

Midfielder Lucas Bergvall has commented on his future amid interest from Nottingham Forest.

Bolstering their options in the centre of the pitch is a priority for the Reds ahead of the upcoming Premier League season. Elliot Anderson’s £116 million switch to Manchester City was announced earlier this week and finding a replacement for the England international is a must.

Tottenham Hotspur youngster Bergvall is among the players on Forest’s radar. Aston Villa, Chelsea and Bayern Munich have also been identified as admirers of the 20-year-old.

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Bergvall is said to have informed Spurs of his wish to move on this summer in order to secure regular game time. In recent days, however, it has been reported Tottenham have made it clear the player is not for sale.

The Sweden international was asked about his future in the capital after his country lost to France in the World Cup’s round of 32 earlier this week. Bergvall had been in the starting XI for the 3-0 defeat.

He told Swedish media outlet Aftonbladet (via FootballLondon): "I want continuous matches in my position. That is the only goal. We’ll see what happens in the future. I’ve only been focused on the World Cup until now."

Throughout the tournament, Bergvall has given little away when quizzed on whether he wants to remain in the Premier League. It was a similar scenario on Tuesday.

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"As I said, my focus has been on the World Cup. We’ll deal with whatever comes next. I don’t know – we’ll see," he said.

Bergvall faces additional competition for minutes at Spurs this coming season. Mateus Fernandes and Sandro Tonali have been added to Roberto De Zerbi’s squad, further hampering the Swede’s prospects of playing regularly.

Under De Zerbi, who took charge in March, Bergvall made just one start and played a total of 112 minutes. He is under contract until 2031.

Forest have been linked with a number of midfielders this summer. Inter Milan’s Davide Frattesi and Celtic’s Arne Engels have remained of interest to the club after failed attempts to sign them during the winter transfer window.

There is not yet a vacancy to be filled in the heart of Nottingham Forest’s midfield but Lucas Bergvall is the latest candidate to emerge as a potential Elliot Anderson replacement.

With Manchester City not giving up in their pursuit of Anderson’s signature, the Reds must plan for what comes next. If, as expected, the England international leaves for the Etihad Stadium this summer he would leave a significant void at the City Ground.

Forest looked at a number of midfielders in January, trying their luck for Celtic’s Arne Engels and Inter Milan’s Davide Frattesi to no avail. Both players have continued to be linked with moves Trentside but new targets have also emerged.

Tottenham Hotspur’s Bergvall is the latest name said to be on the Reds’ list. And there could be the perfect opportunity to snap him up…

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Bergvall’s stance

The 20-year-old is currently on duty with Sweden at the World Cup but has reportedly told Spurs of his wish to leave this summer. Having played a total of just 112 minutes since Roberto De Zerbi’s arrival as manager, he is said to have concerns over how much game time he is likely to get next season.

Tottenham are looking to strengthen in midfield amid suggestions De Zerbi wants more experience in there. It has led to reports Bergvall, who is under contract until 2031, is keen for a fresh start.

Bergvall joined Spurs from Swedish side Djurgarden in 2024 and has made 78 appearances since then. He was crowned the club’s player of the year after his first season, when he played a key role under then manager Ange Postecoglou.

Forest’s interest

Bergvall’s camp are said to have held talks with the Reds, although discussions are said to be at an early stage. TEAMtalk suggest Forest view the youngster as an “excellent option” for the here and now, as well as a player for the future.

They are not the only ones keeping tabs on the Swede, however. Aston Villa and Chelsea had their eye on him in January but Tottenham were not willing to consider a sale at that time.

Villa reportedly remain admirers although would need to sell one of their midfielders before considering strengthening in that department. Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, RB Leipzig, Inter Milan, AC Milan and Napoli have also been linked with Bergvall amid talk of a price tag in the region of £45-50 million being placed on his head.

If Forest’s interest progresses, it will be interesting to see how negotiations with Spurs go after last summer’s Morgan Gibbs-White transfer saga. Twelve months ago it looked as though the Reds playmaker was heading south only for him to end up signing a new deal Trentside.

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Anderson comparison

Finding someone capable of filling the boots of Anderson is a daunting prospect. The 23-year-old won the most duels (297), won possession the most times overall (306) and had the most touches of the ball (3,300) throughout the Premier League in 2025/26.

Last term, Anderson notched four goals and four assists in the 3,334 minutes he played in the league. Bergvall scored once and registered three assists from 966 minutes played.

Going forward, Anderson had eight goal involvements to Bergvall’s four and put in 74 crosses to the Spurs man’s 20. The Reds ace had twice as many touches in the opposition box (62) as his younger counterpart (30).

Anderson registered nine shots from inside the box to Bergvall’s four and 15 efforts from outside the box to the Swede’s one. The Forest midfielder played more minutes, of course, and the numbers illustrate just how difficult he is to replace.

Anderson made 2,383 passes and played nine through-balls to Bergvall’s 305 and three. In terms of duels won, the Reds ace came out on top by 297 to 49 while he also made more tackles (104 to 22), more interceptions (41 to two) and more blocks (16 to two).

Even if he didn’t play as much as he might have liked last season, Bergvall nevertheless has a degree of Premier League experience under his belt. He wouldn’t require a significant adjustment period in that sense.

Fitting in at Forest

Naturally, running the stats doesn’t tell the whole story. Anderson played more minutes than Bergvall last season and is three years older than the Spurs youngster.

Few midfielders will be able to top the England star’s numbers from last term because he was that good. But it should be noted how he has benefitted from the regular football on offer Trentside; Forest have played a key role in his development - something to bear in mind when considering Bergvall.

The Tottenham man still has plenty of room to grow. He is not the finished article but he is considered a bright prospect.

Much like a number of the Reds’ younger players, Bergvall had to contend with a merry-go-round of managers last term. FootballLondon’s Tottenham Hotspur correspondent Alasdair Gold describes him as someone “still so young and precocious” and “someone who needs to feel loved”.

Forest head coach Vitor Pereira’s man-management skills could come into play there. He was able to put an arm around the likes of Dilane Bakwa, whose confidence had looked shot before the Portuguese’s arrival in February.

TEAMtalk have reported De Zerbi has “concerns” over Bergvall’s “defensive positioning and physicality” so there are areas for the youngster to work on. The Reds would know that, though.

Gold says Bergvall’s best position is “clearly a number eight”. At Forest, he would have the experience of Ibrahim Sangare alongside him in midfield - with the Ivory Coast international able to do plenty of the defensive work.

If the Reds could get the youngster at a decent price, he could be a player with the potential to increase in value. Anderson is the perfect template for what can be achieved Trentside - a player signed for £35 million and now worth more than £120m.