Keith Hackett reacts to Premier League announcement on Nottingham Forest vs Tottenham controversy

Tottenham had a lucky escape on Saturday as Nottingham Forest saw a goal ruled out as the game finished goalless.

Neco Williams had the ball in the back of the net in the second half in a game low on quality at both ends.

Spurs made a mess of trying to clear a bouncing ball that was heading for the net, but Sandro Tonali's intervention ultimately worked.

The ball hit Williams' hand before crossing the line, with VAR asking referee Craig Pawson to check the pitchside monitor.

Pawson adjudged that Williams did indeed handle the ball and the goal was ruled out.

Keith Hackett has now shared his exclusive views with Tottenham News on the incident.

What did Premier League announcement say on disallowed Neco Williams goal?

The Premier League posted an announcement via its Match Centre account on X.

"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," the post read.

"Ref: 'After review, the ball touches the hand of Nottingham Forest's No.3 before the goal is scored. The final decision is a direct free-kick for Spurs”.

It was a harsh one for Forest, but the footage does not lie.

Hackett, who was formerly in charge of PGMOL, initially felt the decision was correct.

"The law is very clear. You cannot score a goal if the ball has struck the arm, either in a deliberate or accidental manner," he said.

However, after seeing another angle of the clip, the former referee said: "I have to say that I am surprised that VAR intervened after seeing this replay.

"It is inconclusive that the ball came into contact with the arm. VAR should have only intervened on a clear and obvious error. This incident is certainly inconclusive."

What did Williams say about controversial VAR decision?

Williams, understandably, was not happy with the decision to rule out what likely would have been a winning goal.

Speaking to Sky Sports shortly after full-time, Williams said: "It's a goal. VAR is there for clear and obvious errors.

"For me, that's not clear and obvious. I've seen the replays and not one moment did I handball it. I headed it between my arms. If you pause it, of course it looks like handball."

Williams does have a point in one regard, but the replays almost certainly show him handling the ball.

Tonali will be relieved as he made a mess of initially clearing the ball, but no damage was done and Spurs have their first point of the campaign.