Tottenham Hotspur’s season‑opening slump continued unabated as the North London side were held to a goalless stalemate on their own turf by an Everton outfit that finally broke its own away‑game jinx. The match, which ended 0‑0, marked the first occasion in the club’s history that Spurs have failed to find the net in any of their opening four Premier League fixtures, and it pushed their goal‑free spell beyond the 400‑minute mark. The lack of firepower was evident from the first whistle. After a goalless draw at Nottingham Forest the previous weekend, the new‑look Tottenham side, assembled with a hefty financial outlay by manager Roberto De Zerbi, again produced a display that left the home fans disillusioned and, by full‑time, openly booing the players as they trudged off the pitch.
Throughout the 90 minutes, the Spurs managed only two shots that tested the target – the first, a feeble low effort from midfielder Mateus Fernandes in the second half, was met with a chorus of ironic cheers from the crowd, while the second was a half‑chance that never materialised into a genuine threat. Their expected goals (xG) totalled a meagre 0.64, underscoring how few clear-cut opportunities they created.
Everton, meanwhile, enjoyed a more satisfying afternoon. The Toffees secured their first away league win since February, thanks in part to a spectacular second‑half chance crafted by former Spurs winger Brennan Johnson, whose drive forced a scramble in the Tottenham defence.
Earlier in the game, Spurs goalkeeper Antonín Kinský almost handed the visitors an early lead when a routine cross from James Garner was inadvertently redirected towards the Spurs goal, only for Kinský to recover and tip the ball away from the on‑rushing Kiernan Dewsbury‑Hall. The opening ten minutes saw Tottenham dominate possession and register four attempts, yet only Jan Paul van Hecke managed to threaten the net, missing a close‑range effort that could have broken the deadlock. His missed chance turned out to be the most promising spell of Tottenham’s attack, as the home side became the first Spurs team in two decades to endure a four‑match goalless run.
The match also made history for being the first Premier League fixture at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium to finish without a goal in its 140‑game history, and the first time since September 2017 that Spurs have been held to a 0‑0 draw at home. Sky Sports analyst Jamie Redknapp was blunt in his post‑match assessment: “After spending £300 million, I didn’t expect a goal‑scoring problem, but failing to find the net in six hours of football is absolutely diabolical.
The fans celebrated Fernandes’ weak shot – it was a mockery of what we wanted to see. The connection between the supporters and the players is missing, and I can’t see when the first win will come.
The balance of the team is off; Robertson was used as a left‑back while Marmoush drifted inside, leaving the side lopsided. De Zerbi must sort out the midfield balance, perhaps by fitting Kudus into the ten or bringing Maddison back if he’s fit. Kulusevski’s role remains unclear, but when he’s healthy he needs to be integrated. There are more questions than answers – the quality simply isn’t there despite the talent on the roster.” De Zerbi’s frustration was evident as he confronted substitute Mathys Tel on the pitch after the final whistle.
The manager explained his tactical concerns, noting that Tel, originally a striker, had been deployed on the wing and needed to adapt his positioning: “A striker must stay central, looking for the goal or the cross from Robertson. He started as a centre‑forward, now he’s on the flank, but his natural instinct is to be in the box. I love Mathys as a player, there’s no issue there, but we need to use him correctly.” Everton manager David Moyes, while pleased with the result, admitted his side could have done more: “I expected more from the team, especially after missing out on European qualification a few months ago.
Tottenham put us under pressure for the first 20 minutes, and we struggled to break free. We created a few chances but didn’t execute them well. We know our weaknesses and will work on them, but sometimes you have to adapt to the opponent’s style to get the points.” Key moments of the match included a near‑miss from van Hecke, who struck an Andy Robertson free‑kick from close range, and a spectacular save by Kinský after James Garner’s long‑range free‑kick was palmed away. The first genuine shot on target came from Everton’s James Garner, only to be denied by Kinský’s reflexes.
In the second half, Fernandes’ weak low drive was straight at Jordan Pickford, prompting sarcastic applause from the Tottenham faithful. Later, Thierno Barry’s back‑post header was saved, and a mis‑communication saw Kinský inadvertently pass the ball to Dewsbury‑Hall, who then shot straight at his own keeper. The final minutes saw Everton’s goalkeeper Pickford make a crucial save after Lucas Bergvall’s attempt. Sky Sports’ Callum Bishop summed up Tottenham’s predicament: “It doesn’t take a genius to see where Spurs’ biggest issue lies – they can’t score.
After 400 minutes without a goal, the creative talent on the pitch is wasted if the striker isn’t delivering. Dominic Solanke, the only true number nine available, was a mere footnote, with just 19 touches and no shots. De Zerbi must decide whether the problem is the striker’s lack of involvement or the midfield’s failure to supply him.
Replacing Harry Kane is a monumental task, and Solanke has yet to prove he can fill those shoes. With the January transfer window looming, De Zerbi needs to find a way to get Solanke more engaged or look for alternative solutions to revive the attack.” In summary, Tottenham’s early season narrative is defined by a worrying inability to convert possession into goals, despite significant investment and a roster brimming with talent. The club’s supporters are growing restless, the coaching staff is under scrutiny, and the pressure is mounting for De Zerbi to engineer a turnaround before the winter break.
The next fixtures will be crucial in determining whether Spurs can break this barren spell and restore confidence among their fanbase.