Tottenham Hotspur’s frustrating start to the Premier League campaign stretched another match without a goal, as the hosts were held to a 0-0 draw by an unbeaten 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 any of their opening four league fixtures, and it pushed the period without a Premier League goal for the London club beyond the 400‑minute mark. The match followed a similar pattern to the previous weekend’s goalless draw with Nottingham Forest, offering little in the way of attacking flair from Roberto De Zerbi’s newly assembled, high‑priced squad. The home crowd grew increasingly restless as the game wore on, eventually booing the players off the pitch at the final whistle.
Throughout the 90 minutes Tottenham managed just two shots on target – the first a feeble, low‑driven effort from Mateus Fernandes in the second half that was met with ironic applause from the supporters – and produced an expected‑goals (xG) figure of only 0.64, underscoring the lack of genuine danger. Everton, on the other hand, enjoyed moments of promise that helped them secure their first away league victory since February.
Former Spurs winger Brennan Johnson carved out a fine chance in the second half, while earlier in the game Tottenham goalkeeper Antonín Kinský almost handed James Dewsbury‑Hall a clean‑sheet opening goal when a loose ball slipped through his hands. The Toffees weathered an early onslaught from the home side, which saw four attempts within the opening ten minutes, including a close‑range effort from Jan Paul van Hecke that narrowly missed the target.
Van Hecke’s fifth‑minute strike turned out to be Tottenham’s best chance of the afternoon, highlighting how rare clear‑cut opportunities have become for the hosts. Statistically, the encounter was noteworthy for several reasons. It was the first goalless draw at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in a Premier League match – the 140th league game played there – and the first time Spurs have been held to a 0‑0 stalemate at home since September 2017.
Sky Sports pundit Jamie Redknapp summed up the mood succinctly: "After spending £300m, I didn't think there would be a problem scoring goals. But to not score in six hours of football is absolutely diabolical." He went on to criticize the lack of connection between the players and the fans, the tactical imbalance caused by forcing left‑back Nathaniel Robertson into a wide‑left role while trying to accommodate new signing Marmoush, and the unresolved issues in midfield that leave the team without a clear focal point for goals. Redknapp suggested that De Zerbi must find a way to integrate players like Kudus, Maddison (when fit), and Kulusevski into a more coherent attacking unit.
De Zerbi himself was seen arguing with substitute Mathys Tel on the pitch after full‑time. In his post‑match press conference the Italian manager explained that he had tried to coach Tel on positioning, emphasizing that a striker must stay central and be ready for crosses from the left flank, particularly from Robertson. He praised Tel’s character but admitted that the player’s recent shift from a central striker role to a wide position had created confusion. Everton manager David Moyes offered a measured assessment of his side’s performance.
He admitted he expected more from his players but stressed that the Toffees had to show resilience after a difficult period that saw them miss out on European qualification only a few months earlier. Moyes highlighted the first 20 minutes when Tottenham applied intense pressure, forcing Everton into a defensive posture. He praised his team’s ability to stay resilient despite being on the back foot for much of the match.
Key moments of the game included: - 5′ : Jan Paul van Hecke’s near‑miss from close range, the best chance for Tottenham. - 45+1′ : Antonín Kinský’s first save of the match, tipping away James Garner’s long‑range free‑kick. - Half‑time: No Tottenham shot on target, extending their goalless run to 26 Premier League games since the start of last season.
- 47′ : Mateus Fernandes’ weak low shot, straight at Jordan Pickford, prompting sarcastic cheers from Spurs fans. - 50′ : Thierno Barry’s back‑post header saved by Kinský. - 66′ : Kinský’s lucky touch as a back‑pass from Dewsbury‑Hall ricocheted back into his hands.
- 89′ : Everton goalkeeper Pickford made a crucial save after Lucas Bergvall’s attempt. Analysis from Sky Sports’ Callum Bishop highlighted the core problem: without a reliable goal‑scorer, Spurs cannot win games.
He noted that despite the abundance of creative talent on the pitch, the designated striker, Dominic Solanke, was virtually invisible. Solanke managed only 19 touches, fewer than the goalkeeper, and did not register a single shot. Bishop argued that De Zerbi must decide whether the issue lies with Solanke’s lack of involvement or with teammates failing to create opportunities for him.
The Englishman, signed for a substantial fee to replace the departed Harry Kane, has yet to prove himself as a true number nine, and with the January transfer window looming, De Zerbi faces pressure to find a solution. In summary, the match encapsulated Tottenham’s early‑season woes: a potent roster that has yet to translate spending into goals, tactical adjustments that have not yet gelled, and a growing disconnect between the club’s ambitions and on‑field results. The next few fixtures will be crucial for De Zerbi to restore confidence among the fans, re‑establish a clear attacking identity, and finally break the barren run that has left the team winless and goalless after four league games.