Tottenham Post 1.60 xG and Zero Shots on Target in 0-0

Nottingham Forest and Tottenham drew 0-0 at the City Ground in a match that produced 2.25 combined expected goals and almost no finishing. Tottenham held 59% possession, 1.60 xG, 10 corners and 30 touches in the Forest box — and put none of 12 shots on target. Forest finished with 0.65 xG, two shots on target and one big chance.

Key Numbers

Shots finished 12-12. Tottenham put nine of 12 attempts from inside the box; Forest five of 12. xG on target was 0.05 for Forest and 0.00 for Tottenham. Forest's two shots on target produced a single save for the away goalkeeper. Forest's keeper faced zero shots on target.

Passing sat at 84% (372/443) for Tottenham and 76% (235/308) for Forest. Final-third accuracy was identical at 64%. Crosses were 6 of 24 for Tottenham and 1 of 19 for Forest. Expected assists were 0.70 to 0.29. Tottenham won 10 corners to two.

Forest committed 21 fouls to 13 and completed 15 of 28 tackles. Duels finished 57-58. Neither side recorded an error leading to a shot. The first half was 0.38-0.34 xG; Tottenham created their first listed big chance before the interval without putting it on frame.

Tactical Reading

Tottenham controlled territory without converting box occupancy into a shot on target. Thirty touches in the Forest penalty area and nine shots from inside the box still produced 0.00 xGOT. That is a finishing and shot-selection failure, not a chance-creation vacuum.

Forest sat on 41% of the ball and fouled often enough to slow the visitors' rhythm. Destiny Udogie was booked just before half-time and was withdrawn for Andrew Robertson in the 61st minute. Mohammed Kudus replaced Savinho in the same window. Forest had already introduced Daniel Munoz and Igor Jesus.

Mykhailo Mudryk replaced Mathys Tel in the 74th minute on Tottenham's side. Forest sent on Chris Wood for Liam Delap. Mateus Fernandes and Dominic Solanke arrived late. None of the changes produced a shot on target for Spurs. Forest's only listed big chance also stayed off the scoreboard.

Standout Performers

No outfield player has a goal or assist to isolate. The match data instead flags the finishing blank: Tottenham's 1.60 xG with 0.00 xGOT is the headline number. Forest's 0.65 xG with 0.05 xGOT is almost as empty.

Udogie, Nikola Milenkovic, James McAtee and Fernandes all collected yellow cards. The booking cluster tracks the foul count (21-13) more than any single turning-point challenge.

What It Means

After three Premier League matches Forest sit 16th on two points (2 scored, 3 conceded). Tottenham are 18th on one point with zero goals scored and five conceded. Spurs have now gone three league games without a goal despite 1.60 xG in this fixture alone.

For live soccer on TV viewers the 0-0 is explained by shot quality on target, not by a lack of entries. Ten corners and 30 box touches should not yield a 0.00 xGOT line. Forest leave with a point they defended; Tottenham leave with the better process and the same blank scoresheet.