Tottenham’s inability to find the back of the net persisted as they were held to a goalless stalemate on their own turf by an unbeaten Everton side. The 0-0 result marked the first occasion in club history that Spurs have failed to score in any of their opening four league fixtures, and it pushed the goal drought to more than 400 minutes of Premier League action.
After a second consecutive 0-0 draw – the previous one coming at Nottingham Forest – Roberto De Zerbi’s freshly assembled, high‑priced squad once again produced a lacklustre performance that drew boos from the home supporters at the final whistle. The crowd’s frustration was evident as Tottenham managed only two shots on target throughout the match.
The first of those came from a feeble second‑half strike by Mateus Fernandes, which was met with sarcastic applause from the fans, highlighting the growing disconnect between the team and its supporters. Everton, meanwhile, enjoyed a few moments of quality that helped them secure their first away league win since February.
Former Spurs winger Brennan Johnson carved out a promising chance in the second half, while earlier in the game Tottenham goalkeeper Antonín Kinský almost gifted Kiernan Dewsbury‑Hall an opening goal when a stray pass rolled harmlessly to the Everton attacker. The Toffees weathered an early storm from the home side, who produced four attempts in the opening ten minutes.
Jan Paul van Hecke came close, missing a clear‑cut opportunity from close range. That fifth‑minute effort turned out to be Tottenham’s best chance of the afternoon, underscoring how rare chances have become for the North London club.
In fact, De Zerbi’s men became the first Spurs side in two decades to endure a four‑game goalless run. The match also set a few unwanted records. 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 Spurs have been held to a 0‑0 home draw in the competition since September 2017.
Sky Sports analyst Jamie Redknapp summed up the mood in the stands: “After spending £300 million, I didn’t expect a goal‑scoring problem. 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, but then Fernandes’ weak shot was met with cheers – it was not great. The connection between the fans and the players is missing, and I don’t know when the first win will come. There are positives, but the quality simply isn’t there despite the talent on the roster.” Redknapp also criticised the tactical set‑up, pointing out that left‑back Andrew Robertson was forced into a wing‑back role while Mohamed Marmoush drifted inside, creating an imbalance that left the team lopsided. He suggested that De Zerbi must find a way to integrate the midfielders – perhaps a fit‑again James Maddison or a fully recovered Kristjan Kudus – and get the versatile Rasmus Højlund (Kulusevski) back to full fitness before expecting results.
After the final whistle, De Zerbi was seen having a brief exchange with substitute Mathys Tel on the pitch. The Italian manager later explained his frustration with Tel’s positioning: “He is a natural striker, but he’s been playing as a winger.
When we line up with Maddison, Kudus and Savio, he needs to stay central and look for the goal or the cross from Robertson. I love Mathys as a player, but the role he’s been given isn’t working for the team.” Everton manager David Moyes also shared his thoughts, admitting he expected more from his side but emphasizing the resilience they showed: “Tottenham pressed us hard for the first 20 minutes, and we struggled to break free. We created a few chances, but our overall play was not good enough. We know where we are lacking and will work on it, but sometimes you have to adapt to the opponent’s pressure.” Key moments of the match included: - 5′ – Van Hecke’s near‑miss from a close‑range free‑kick, the best Tottenham chance of the night.
- 45+1′ – James Garner’s long‑range free‑kick forced Kinský into a reflex save, the first shot on target. - 47′ – Mateus Fernandes’ weak low effort was parried by Jordan Pickford, prompting ironic cheers from the Spurs crowd.
- 50′ – Thierno Barry’s back‑post header saved again by Kinský. - 66′ – Kinský inadvertently passed the ball to Dewsbury‑Hall, who struck it straight back at the goalkeeper. - 89′ – Pickford saved a late effort from Lucas Bergvall after a turnover. Sky Sports’ Callum Bishop offered a broader analysis, noting that Spurs’ biggest problem is their inability to score: “You can’t win games without goals.
Tottenham have gone 400 minutes without a goal, despite having a plethora of creative talent on the pitch. Their main striker, Dominic Solanke, was almost invisible – only 19 touches and zero shots.
If the designated number nine isn’t even attempting to shoot, it’s no surprise the team is floundering in the final third.” Bishop added that De Zerbi must decide whether the fault lies with his teammates not supplying Solanke enough service, or with Solanke himself failing to live up to the role left vacant by Harry Kane. “Replacing Kane is a near‑impossible task, and the money spent on Solanke has yet to pay off. With the January transfer window looming, De Zerbi needs a solution now, whether that means reshaping the attack or finding a way to involve Solanke more effectively.” In summary, Tottenham’s fourth league game ended without a goal, extending a worrying drought that has seen them drop points at home for the first time in nearly a decade. The club’s substantial investment has yet to translate into tangible results on the pitch, and both fans and pundits are demanding answers from De Zerbi as the season progresses.