Tottenham Hotspur’s frustrating start to the Premier League campaign dragged on for another match, as they were unable to find the back of the net in a 0-0 stalemate against an unbeaten Everton side on their home turf. The result marked the first occasion in the club’s history that the Spurs have failed to score in each of their opening four league fixtures, and it extended a barren spell that now exceeds 400 minutes without a Premier League goal. The previous weekend’s 0-0 draw with Nottingham Forest had already raised concerns, but this fixture proved even more disheartening for the De Zerbi‑era squad. The newly‑assembled, high‑priced side was met with a chorus of boos when the final whistle blew, a clear sign of the growing impatience among the North London faithful.
From the outset, the atmosphere at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium was tense. The home crowd witnessed just two shots on target from their side, the first of which was a feeble second‑half strike by midfielder Mateus Fernandes that was met with ironic cheers from the stands. Overall, Tottenham managed a meagre expected‑goals (xG) figure of 0.64, a statistic that underlines the lack of genuine cutting‑edge chances created during the 90 minutes.
Everton, on the other hand, displayed moments of promise that helped them secure their first away league victory since February. Former Spurs winger Brennan Johnson produced a brilliant second‑half opportunity that threatened to break the deadlock, while earlier in the game Tottenham’s goalkeeper Antonín Kinský almost gifted an opening goal to Kiernan Dewsbury‑Hall when a loose ball slipped through his hands. The Toffees weathered an early onslaught from the home side, which saw four attempts within the first ten minutes. Jan Paul van Hecke, the Everton defender, missed a close‑range effort that could have put his team ahead.
Nevertheless, that fifth‑minute chance turned out to be Tottenham’s best chance of the entire match, highlighting how the Spurs have become the first team in two decades to endure a four‑game goalless run. The fixture also set a couple of unwanted records for Tottenham. It was the inaugural goalless draw at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in Premier League play – the 140th league game at the venue – and the first time the club has been held to a 0‑0 home draw in the competition since September 2017. Sky Sports analyst Jamie Redknapp summed up the mood in his post‑match commentary: "After spending £300 million, I didn’t think there would be a problem scoring goals.
Yet to go six hours of football without a single goal is absolutely diabolical. For the first 20 minutes I thought this was the kind of football we wanted to see, but then Fernandes’ weak shot was met with a chorus of celebration from the crowd – it was not great.
The connection between the fans and the players is missing, and I don’t know when they will register their first win. It could take longer, but there are still some positives." Redknapp went on to critique the tactical balance, noting that the left‑back position and the left‑wing were mismatched because of a forced inward shift by forward Mohamed Marmoush. He argued that the team appears lopsided and that De Zerbi must find a way to get the best out of the squad.
He suggested that the midfield balance is off‑kilter and that a player like Kudus or a fit Maddison should be placed in a more advanced role. He also expressed uncertainty about the future contribution of the injured Rasmus Kulusevski, insisting that when he returns he must be integrated promptly. De Zerbi himself was involved in a heated exchange with substitute Mathys Tel at full‑time. In the post‑match press conference, the Italian manager defended his handling of the young forward, explaining that Tel’s natural position is that of a striker, not a winger, and that he needs to stay central and focus on the goal.
He emphasized his affection for Tel as a player and a person, insisting that there was no personal issue, merely a tactical adjustment. Everton manager David Moyes also shared his thoughts, admitting that he expected more from his side but that the match required a resilient performance. He highlighted that Tottenham applied intense pressure for the first 20 minutes, forcing Everton into a defensive stance.
Moyes praised his team's resilience, noting that while they created a few chances, they were not effective enough when in possession. Key moments of the match included: - 5′ – Jan Paul van Hecke’s close‑range effort for Everton, which narrowly missed the target and became Tottenham’s best chance of the game. - 45+1′ – Antonín Kinský’s first save of the match, tipping a long‑range free‑kick from James Garner onto the crossbar. - Half‑time – Tottenham had recorded zero shots on target, marking their 26th Premier League game of the season without a goal before the break.
- 47′ – Mateus Fernandes’ weak low drive was straight at Everton keeper Jordan Pickford, prompting ironic cheers from the Spurs supporters. - 66′ – Kinský saved a back‑post header from Thierno Barry, demonstrating his reflexes despite the overall poor defensive display.
- 89′ – Pickford made a crucial save from Lucas Bergvall after a scramble at the far post. Sky Sports’ Callum Bishop provided a broader analysis, stating that Tottenham’s biggest problem is obvious: they cannot win without scoring. He pointed out that despite having a plethora of creative talent on the field, the team lacks a reliable focal point in attack. Bishop highlighted the importance of Dominic Solanke, the only natural number‑nine in De Zerbi’s squad, emphasizing that his fitness is crucial.
Solanke’s limited involvement – only 19 touches and zero shots – was a stark indicator of why the Spurs are struggling in the final third. Bishop warned that the onus now falls on De Zerbi to either adjust the tactical setup to give Solanke more opportunities or to find an alternative solution before the January transfer window. He noted that replacing Harry Kane is a near‑impossible task, and the club’s investment in Solanke has yet to pay dividends. In summary, Tottenham’s goalless draw with Everton extended a worrying goal drought, exposed tactical imbalances, and intensified scrutiny on manager Roberto De Zerbi’s ability to get the most out of a costly squad.
The next few fixtures will be critical for the North London club as they search for a breakthrough and aim to restore confidence among a fan base that is growing increasingly restless.