Tottenham Hotspur's bleak start to the Premier League campaign persisted as they were held to a 0-0 draw by an unbeaten Everton side at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. The match added another chapter to a growing narrative of inefficiency in front of goal for the north London club, marking the first occasion in which Spurs have failed to find the net in any of their opening four league fixtures.
In total, more than 400 minutes have now elapsed since their last Premier League strike, a statistic that underscores the severity of their attacking woes. The goalless stalemate followed a similar outcome at Nottingham Forest the previous weekend, and once again De Zerbi’s freshly assembled, high‑cost squad produced a lacklustre display that left the home supporters visibly dissatisfied. The crowd’s frustration was evident when they booed the team off the pitch at full‑time, a rare sight in a stadium that usually reverberates with chants of support.
Statistically, Tottenham’s offensive output was abysmal. The home side managed just two shots on target over the entire 90 minutes. The first of those came in the second half when Mateus Fernandes unleashed a feeble strike that was met with an ironic chorus of cheers from the fans, who seemed to be mocking the quality of the effort rather than celebrating a genuine chance. Overall, Spurs registered a paltry expected‑goals (xG) figure of 0.64, highlighting the meagre quality of the opportunities they created.
Everton, on the other hand, enjoyed moments that hinted at a possible breakthrough. Former Spurs winger Brennan Johnson produced a superb chance in the second half that threatened to put the Toffees ahead.
Earlier, Tottenham goalkeeper Antonín Kinský nearly handed James Dewsbury‑Hall an early lead when a mishandled clearance fell directly to the Everton midfielder, who was left to scramble for a shot that was comfortably saved. The Toffees also weathered an early onslaught from the home side. Within the opening ten minutes, Tottenham fired four attempts at goal, including a close‑range effort from Jan Paul van Hecke that missed the target. Van Hecke’s fifth‑minute strike, however, turned out to be the most dangerous chance for Spurs, as De Zerbi’s side became the first Tottenham team in two decades to endure a four‑game goalless run.
Historically, this match also broke a few records. It was the first goalless draw at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in the Premier League – the venue’s 140th league game – and the first time the club had failed to score at home in a league fixture since September 2017.
Sky Sports analyst Jamie Redknapp summed up the prevailing sentiment after the final whistle: "After spending £300 million, I didn't think there would be a problem scoring goals. But to not score in six hours of football is absolutely diabolical. For the first 20 minutes, I thought that this is what I want to see.
There was a moment when Fernandes had a shot and the whole crowd celebrated. It's not great. The connection with the fans and the players is not there.
I don't know when they are going to get their first win. It might go on for longer, but I do still see some positives.
It cannot stay this way with what is at their disposal. There are things that I don't like.
Robertson was your left‑back and your wide left player because Marmoush wanted to come inside. That balance didn't really work, so you are lopsided with what you're trying to do.
Trying to get the best squad is what De Zerbi has to solve. The midfield balance also isn't right.
You've got to find a way of getting a Kudus into the ten, or Maddison if he gets fit. I'm not sure how Kulusevski's going to be but when he's fit you've got to get him in.
Even I'm looking and thinking 'how would I change it?' There are more questions than answers. He tried everything today.
He couldn't find it. The quality wasn't there, but they have got quality players." De Zerbi was seen having a brief exchange with substitute Mathys Tel on the pitch after the final whistle.
The Italian manager later explained his frustration with Tel’s positioning during the post‑match press conference, noting that the young forward had been coached as a striker but was being used on the wing, which did not suit the team’s tactical setup. Everton manager David Moyes also offered his perspective, acknowledging that his side could have done more but emphasizing the difficulty of breaking down a Spurs defense that, despite its lack of goals, applied sustained pressure for long periods. He praised his players’ resilience while admitting that the Toffees had to adapt their approach in order to secure the points. Key moments of the match included: - 5th minute: Jan Paul van Hecke’s close‑range effort, the best chance for Tottenham.
- 45+1 minute: Antonín Kinský’s first save of the game, denying James Garner from a long‑range free‑kick. - 47th minute: Mateus Fernandes’ weak low shot, which was straight at Jordan Pickford and prompted sarcastic cheers from the home crowd.
- 66th minute: Kinský saved a back‑post header from Thierno Barry. - 89th minute: Everton goalkeeper Pickford made a crucial save after Lucas Bergvall’s shot. Sky Sports’ Callum Bishop provided a concise analysis, stating that Tottenham’s primary issue is obvious: a team that cannot score cannot win.
He highlighted the absence of a reliable number nine, pointing to Dominic Solanke’s limited involvement – only 19 touches and zero shots – as a glaring symptom of the problem. Bishop argued that De Zerbi must either adjust the system to better utilize his attacking talent or find a way to get Solanke more involved, especially with the January transfer window looming. In summary, the match reinforced the narrative of a Spurs side that, despite possessing a roster filled with creative players, lacks the clinical edge required to convert chances into goals. The club’s supporters, players, and coaching staff will be looking for answers in the coming weeks, as the pressure mounts to end the barren run and secure a first league victory of the season.