Tottenham’s turbulent start to the season continued as they were held to a 0-0 draw away at Nottingham Forest, extending their wait for a first Premier League goal of the campaign into a third consecutive fixture.

The stalemate at the City Ground unfolded with Forest edging the underlying numbers, generating a higher expected goals tally and creating the greater share of clear-cut chances, despite Spurs enjoying more of the ball throughout the contest.

Forest also managed more efforts at goal overall, though neither side could find a breakthrough that would separate them on the scoreboard.

The closest either team came to breaking the deadlock arrived in the second half when Neco Williams appeared to have given the hosts the lead, only for the goal to be overturned following a handball review. The decision proved pivotal in preserving the goalless outcome.

Both managers made a flurry of changes as the game wore on, with Roberto De Zerbi turning to his bench in search of a spark, introducing fresh faces including Mudryk and Solanke in the closing stages, while Forest also freshened up their attacking options.

Referee Craig Pawson oversaw proceedings in front of a near-capacity crowd of over 30,000.

The result adds further weight to the mounting scrutiny surrounding De Zerbi’s tenure at Tottenham, with the club’s record-breaking summer spending yet to translate into attacking returns on the pitch.

Spurs will now turn their attention to finding a way to end their goal drought as the season progresses.