Nottingham Forest v Tottenham Hotspur live - team news, Reds in Premier League action

Head coach Oliver Glasner expressed his frustration after a disallowed goal meant Nottingham Forest had to settle for a 0-0 draw at home to Tottenham Hotspur.

Neco Williams thought he had bagged a winner for the Reds with little more than 20 minutes to go. However, following a VAR check his goal was ruled out for a handball.

Glasner said he had watched the incident back after the game. He felt the threshold for VAR’s intervention should have been higher.

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. Here’s how Reds reporter Sarah Clapson rated the Forest players at the City Ground…

Delap gets a standing ovation as he comes off. Replaced by Chris Wood.

The new man hasn't seen a great deal of the ball but he has battled throughout. Done well and can be pleased with his full debut.

VAR checked for a handball against Williams and have ruled it out

Munoz and Jesus on. The former making his debut.

Aina and Ndoye the pair to make way.

Forest need something. Been under pressure so far this half

Foul by Milenkovic on Marmoush just outside the box. The Forest defender gets a booking and his team have a free-kick to defend.

The wall does its job, fortunately, as that was a really good position for Spurs. But the visitors are keeping the pressure up and pinning the hosts back.

Second half up and running at the City Ground.

The first half certainly wasn't a classic, so here's hoping for better in the next 45 minutes.

Been some promising signs from Forest, just a bit more control and composure needed at times

That's that for the first half. No goals so far.

Forest have grown into the game and had a few chances. Look better when they have strung some passes together. Not been able to find the breakthrough yet, though.

Spurs have looked dangerous at times, too.

MGW should have scored!!!!

Lovely through ball from Schlager. MGW was clean through and only had the keeper to beat. Maybe took one too many touches, then shot straight at him.

Offside flag did go up but looks like it would have been close, had it gone in

Murillo tries to get in on the act with an overhead kick. Not troubling Spurs with that one, though.

Chances are coming for Forest but they are snatching at them a little bit. More composure and they'll be in.

Ten minutes or so to go until the break.

That was a whisker away from an opener. Jair with a terrific strike which just sailed over the bar. Williams had put a cross in from the left, it was headed clear and fell for the Brazilian.

Murillo clearly not the only Brazilian centre-back in the Forest ranks with a fierce strike on him.

A miss-hit from McAtee is headed away and falls for MGW, who has a swipe at it. Never really had control of the ball, though, and his effort is off target.

Been a few glimmers from Forest but no real rhythm yet. When they have put some passes together, it's been good, but not done it often so far.

Need to get some control.

Forest breathe a sigh of relief

Marmoush chases a ball over the top. Williams tried to put him off and the Spurs man fired wide. Think he may well have been offside in any case but still a warning sign. Just when Forest had started to find more of a grove, too.

Another good move from Forest.

Delap involved this time. Finds McAtee outside the area. The midfielder tries his luck but didn't get any power behind his drive and it was comfortably gathered.

A few promising signs in the last few minutes, though. Forest working their way into this

They get a corner of their own. McAtee's ball in is a decent one, comes out to Williams, who heads it back into the mix. Murillo gets on the end of it and has a swipe goalwards, just can't keep the ball down.

Was worth a go, though, and something to build on after a sloppy start

A run of corners conceded in quick succession by Forest. Manage to keep Spurs at bay but not been the best of starts.

Forest not settled or got into the game at all yet. Need someone to calm things down so they can string a few passes together and take a breather.

Forest a little jittery in the opening minutes, Aina rather sloppily just conceded a corner. Fortunately Spurs unable to make the most of it.

Delap has put himself about well, though. He said when we spoke to him earlier this week he plays best when he is on the edge of being horrible, and you can see what he means. Been getting stuck in already

Right then, we are up and running at the City Ground.

MOK was superb, as usual. Good work by Forza, too, with a banner across the Trent End reading: "This is Nottingham. We are the Reds."

Time for Forest to build on last weekend's draw at Liverpool now.

Teams are out at a sun-soaked City Ground. MGW with the armband. Coming up against Spurs is a reminder of just how important it was Forest kept hold of their talisman last summer (and this summer, to be fair). Retaining key men just as crucial as any new signings added.

Here's hoping MGW has another big game today. Interesting to see how Delap gets on from the start, too. Made an impact when he came on at Anfield.

Slightly harsh on Jesus, perhaps, but he's capable of playing a role from off the bench.

Forest just finishing off their pre-match warm-up ahead of kick-off. Neco Williams has just received a round of applause from the crowd as his new contract was referenced.

It's a lovely day at the City Ground. Perfect for a good game of football.

Forest have won their last four Premier League games against Spurs. They've never won five in a row...

The latest odds from bet365 as we approach kick-off at the City Ground...

Forest 17/10 draw 23/20 Spurs 13/8

18+ only. Please gamble responsibly. Begambleaware.org

The City Ground is hosting some special guests today, as part of Forest's Magic Moments campaign.

Burton Joyce's Under-16s have been invited to today's match. Many of the team were close to Josh Travis, the former Forest academy goalkeeper who passed away in November 2025.

Additionally, after two players suffered a family loss last season, the team organised a fundraiser for Bipolar UK, with 50p being donated for every goal scored. More than £320 was raised as a result.

Forest say: "The players, staff and family members associated with Burton Joyce have shown incredible resilience and togetherness in recent months, and everybody at Nottingham Forest is looking forward to welcoming them to the City Ground for a special day."

Nottingham Forest knew what they were looking for when they went on a striker search this summer - and in Liam Delap the club believe they have got the right man.

Head coach Oliver Glasner has described the 23-year-old as the “perfect fit” for the Reds following his club record £45 million move. The feeling seems to be mutual as Delap is keen for a fresh start after a difficult year at Chelsea, who he joined from Ipswich Town 12 months ago.

Getting Delap back to the kind of form he showed for the Tractor Boys - the kind of form that made him a wanted man in the summer of 2025 - is the aim for Forest. Achieve that, and the forward has the potential to be a transformative signing Trentside.

“One year ago, the entire Premier League wanted him. I think he had offers from lots of Premier League clubs after his season at Ipswich,” Glasner said of the Reds’ new No.19.

One change for Forest. Liam Delap comes in for his first start. Munoz is on the bench.

Glasner said in his pre-match press conference Sangare was available after missing last weekend, but the midfielder is not in the squad.

Forest XI: Sels; Jair, Milenkovic, Murillo; Aina, Schlager, McAtee, Williams; Gibbs-White, Ndoye; Delap.

Subs: John, Diomande, Hudson-Odoi, Dominguez, Wood, Jesus, Yates, Netz, Munoz

This afternoon's match odds, courtesy of BetTom.

Forest 29/20, draw 12/5, Spurs 9/5

18+ only. Please gamble responsibly. Begambleaware.org

Growing up, tables were flipped and tears were shed as the competitive spirit that defines new Nottingham Forest signing Liam Delap was evident early on.

The front man has always had a bit of fire in his belly. Perhaps even more so now, after a challenging year at Chelsea.

Delap is a man on a mission with the Reds. His £45 million move to the City Ground represents a fresh start.

Head coach Oliver Glasner has described the forward as “hungry”. And it seems it was ever thus for the 23-year-old - as his brother Finn, who plays for Burton Albion, would perhaps testify.

“We’re close,” Delap explains of his sibling. “We’re only two years apart. You can imagine (as kids), he’s a centre-back, I'm a striker, there were probably a lot of tears, a lot of fights.

“It has probably really helped both of us because we’ve always been super-competitive with each other. It was horrible at times! Mum and dad probably had to separate us a lot but it made us stronger and helped us.

“Whether it was playing Monopoly or playing football, it always ended in either the table being flipped or kicking each other. I’ve got a really good relationship with him and it’s nice to see him doing well.”

Now the transfer window has closed, Oliver Glasner knows the Forest squad he has to work with - until January at least.

We want to know how you think the Reds will fare this season. Do they have enough in the squad to push for Europe? Will it be a season of stability? Or are you worried another relegation scrap could be on the cards?

Have your say in our poll.

Delivered straight to your inbox, our regular email bulletins feature all the latest Forest news, views, gossip, opinion and transfer updates.

Our dedicated reporter Sarah Clapson - who you can follow on X by clicking here - follows Forest home and away and offers you comprehensive coverage from matchdays, press conferences and everything that happens in between.So much happens day to day and sometimes you can struggle to keep on top of the very latest updates as and when they occur - that's why we have produced a daily newsletter which you can sign up to, for free, and which means you'll have a round-up of the key stories land in your email inbox.

Social Media: You can also get all the latest updates by following us on social media here Facebook and X

App: We also have a free app which you can download. It is always up-to-date with the latest Forest news. You can personalise the content you see by selecting Nottingham Forest as one of your designated topics. You can get it from Apple here and for Android here.

Good afternoon and welcome to today's live match blog.

It's a big one at the City Ground! Forest taking on Spurs.

After a really positive performance against Liverpool last weekend, the Reds will be eager to build on that back on home turf. They have their first point on the board, now it is about trying to get the first win. Play like they did at Anfield and Oliver Glasner's side will believe three points will come.

Some interesting selection decisions today, though. Sangare is available again after missing out last weekend, but the midfield partnership of Schlager and McAtee did work well on Merseyside so could remain in situ. Should Delap start after his impact from off the bench? Will Munoz come straight into the XI for his debut?

We will soon find out. Team news on the way shortly.