Tottenham Hotspur endured another frustrating evening as they were held to a 0-0 draw by Everton, extending their Premier League goal drought to 407 minutes and marking the first time the club has failed to score in four consecutive league games across all divisions since September 2006.
The atmosphere inside Tottenham Hotspur Stadium grew increasingly tense as supporters brandished banners pleading for action. For much of the match, Roberto de Zerbi’s expensive squad struggled to breach a resolute Everton defense anchored by Jordan Pickford, raising concerns that the new era has hit an early stumbling block.
The result is particularly stark given Spurs invested over £300m in the summer transfer window. This match also marked the first goalless draw in the 140th Premier League game at their new stadium. Statistics paint a worrying picture: while expected goals (xG) suggest they should have scored three or four times, their non-penalty xG per shot sits at just 0.066, indicating a severe lack of cutting edge in attack.
De Zerbi apologized to the crowd, stating, “I’m sorry to the fans. We are sorry to the fans.” He praised their support during periods when the team looked dangerous but acknowledged the confidence issues emerging as the game progressed. The manager made several attacking changes, introducing high-profile summer signings Omar Marmoush and Savio, while handing Dominic Solanke his first league start. Substitutes Mohammed Kudus and James Maddison also came on, but it was Lucas Bergvall who missed the best chance late on, seeing a long-range effort saved by Pickford.
Everton posed their own threats on the counter, with Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Brennan Johnson missing key opportunities. Jarrad Branthwaite was standout for the visitors, delivering a performance that strengthens his case for inclusion in Thomas Tuchel’s England squad.
Compounding the gloom was the absence of Richarlison. The Brazilian striker, who is in dispute over the final nine months of his contract, was omitted from the Premier League squad after a proposed deadline-day return to Everton collapsed and a move back to Vasco da Gama fell through.
Despite the struggles, De Zerbi insisted the team is on the right path. “In the first 30 minutes we were very good but we didn’t find a goal,” he said. “In the second half, I observed many players had a little less confidence and I don’t like this.” He added that if the team maintains the intensity of their first half performance for full matches, they will win more games.
However, the toothless display serves as a reminder that reviving a side coming off two consecutive 17th-place finishes requires more than financial input. Spurs’ last league goal actually came against Everton on the final day of the previous season, courtesy of Joao Palhinha, meaning they enter this campaign still searching for their first victory and first goal of 2026-27.
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