Tottenham Hotspur's bleak start to the Premier League campaign stretched another match without a goal, as the hosts were held to a 0-0 stalemate by a resilient Everton side at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. The result marked the first occasion in the club's history that Spurs have failed to find the net in each of their opening four league fixtures, and it pushed the interval since their last Premier League strike beyond the 400‑minute mark. The disappointment followed a similar dead‑rubber encounter at Nottingham Forest the previous weekend, leaving Roberto De Zerbi’s freshly assembled, high‑priced roster under a chorus of boos when the final whistle blew.
The home supporters, already irate at the lack of cutting edge, witnessed a meagre two shots on target for their side – the first being a feeble second‑half strike from Mateus Fernandes that earned a sarcastic round of applause from the crowd – and an expected‑goals tally that barely crept above the half‑point threshold (0.64). Everton, meanwhile, enjoyed moments that hinted at an away victory, securing their first league win on the road since February.
Former Spurs winger Brennan Johnson lit up the second half with a dazzling run that culminated in a dangerous chance, while earlier in the game Tottenham keeper Antonín Kinský almost handed Kiernan Dewsbury‑Hall an early opener after a misplaced clearance. The Toffees weathered an early onslaught from the home side, which produced four attempts within the first ten minutes. Jan Paul van Hecke, the Liverpool‑loaned defender, squandered a prime close‑range opportunity, and his subsequent fifth‑minute effort turned out to be Tottenham’s best chance of the half.
That moment also cemented De Zerbi’s side as the first Spurs team in two decades to endure a sequence of four consecutive goalless league games. Statistically, the match was notable for being the inaugural goalless draw at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in Premier League play – the venue’s 140th league appearance – and the first time the club has been held to a 0‑0 home result in the competition since September 2017. Sky Sports analyst Jamie Redknapp lamented the situation, stating, "After splashing £300 million around, I never imagined scoring would become such a nightmare.
To go six hours of football without a single goal is simply diabolical. For the first 20 minutes I thought this was the kind of football we wanted, but when Fernandes struck and the crowd cheered sarcastically, it was clear we were far from it. The connection between fans and players is missing, and I don’t know when the first win will arrive. The balance in the side is off – Robertson was forced into a left‑back role while Marmoush drifted inside, leaving the team lopsided.
De Zerbi must sort out the midfield, perhaps by slotting Kudus or a fit Maddison into the ten, and figure out how to utilise Kulusevski once he’s healthy. There are more questions than answers; the quality simply wasn’t there despite the talent on the roster." Post‑match, De Zerbi was seen in a brief exchange with substitute Mathys Tel on the pitch. The Italian manager later explained in his press conference, "I spoke to him about his positioning. As a natural striker, he shouldn’t be shielding the goal with his shoulder.
If we line up Maddison, Kudus and Savio in midfield, Tel must stay central and look for the cross from Robertson. He began his career as a centre‑forward, now he’s been deployed on the wing, but his instincts remain that of a striker. I still value him as a player and a person; there’s no issue there." Everton manager David Moyes offered a measured assessment: "I expected more from my side, but I reminded the lads of what we need to achieve here. Our recent record at this ground isn’t great, and we missed out on European qualification a few months ago, so the pressure was on.
Tottenham applied sustained pressure for about 20 minutes, making it difficult for us to find breathing space. We created a few chances, yet our overall play was sub‑par when in possession.
We know where we fell short and what to improve, but sometimes you have to adapt your game plan to survive. I think we showed resilience despite being forced into a defensive stance by Spurs." Key moments of the match included a near‑miss by van Hecke, who curled a free‑kick over Andy Robertson from close range, and a first‑time shot on target from Everton’s James Garner that was palmed away by Kinský. The half‑time break saw Tottenham without a single shot on target, extending a run of 26 Premier League games without a first‑half goal since the start of the previous season.
In the second half, Fernandes produced a weak low effort that was saved by Jordan Pickford, prompting ironic cheers from the home fans. Later, Thierno Barry’s header was denied by Kinský, and a mishandled clearance from the Spurs keeper fell to Dewsbury‑Hall, who again saw his strike saved by Kinský.
The final minutes featured a dramatic save from Everton’s keeper, who thwarted a Lucas Bergvall attempt after a loose ball from Pickford. Sky Sports commentator Callum Bishop summed up the predicament: "It doesn’t take a genius to see Tottenham’s biggest problem – they can’t score. After 400 minutes without a goal, the team’s creative assets are wasted because the focal point for finishing is invisible.
Dominic Solanke’s fitness is crucial; as the only true number nine in De Zerbi’s squad, he must be selected when available. Yet even when he featured, he managed just 19 touches – fewer than the goalkeeper – and recorded zero shots. Whether the issue lies in his lack of form or his teammates’ failure to supply him is a question only De Zerbi can answer. Replacing Harry Kane is a near‑impossible task, and Solanke has been the primary investment to fill that void.
The lack of a reliable striker is now biting Spurs, and with the January transfer window still months away, De Zerbi must find a way to involve Solanke more effectively or risk further goalless draws."