Tottenham's goalless run reaches 407 minutes after Everton stalemate
Tottenham Hotspur's goalless start to the Premier League season continued as they were held to a 0-0 draw by Everton at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. The result means Spurs have now failed to score in their opening four league games, extending their goalless streak to 407 minutes.
- Competition: Premier League
- Venue: Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
- Result: Tottenham Hotspur 0-0 Everton
- Key stat: Spurs have not scored in 407 minutes of league football
- Notable: First goalless draw in 140 games at the stadium
- Manager: Roberto De Zerbi apologises to fans after another blank
Match report: Spurs fire another blank as Everton hold firm
Tottenham's search for a first Premier League goal of the season goes on after a frustrating 0-0 draw with Everton. Despite dominating possession, Spurs struggled to test Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, and the home crowd grew increasingly restless as the game wore on.
A banner held aloft before kick-off read "Please Score A Goal", summing up the mood among supporters. After another goalless first half, the sentiment could easily have been updated to "Please Have A Shot" as De Zerbi's expensively assembled side failed to find a way through a resilient Everton defence.
The visitors had the two best chances of the second half through Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Brennan Johnson, but they too lacked a cutting edge. Spurs' first shot on target arrived in the 46th minute through £85m summer signing Mateus Fernandes, prompting ironic applause from the home fans.
With seven minutes remaining, Spurs were still passing the ball around at the back, and the final whistle was met with jeers. De Zerbi's side have now failed to score in four successive Premier League matches for the first time since September 2006.
What was said
"I'm sorry to the fans. We are sorry to the fans. They were fantastic, especially in the first part of the game because when they see the team is playing well, pushing to find the solution they were inside the pitch with my players. Then the reaction of the fans is normal. We have to say thanks all the time to them."
"I think in the first 30 minutes we were very, good but we didn't find a goal. I think in that moment we suffer too much with confidence and this is another important part for us at the moment. In the second half, I observed many players had a little less confidence and I don't like this. They have to be happy and understand we are in the right way."
"The players are human and they have emotions and they think with their head. My position is to help them and stay focus on the improvement we have to do. If we play 90 minutes like we did in the first 30 minutes, I think we are going to win many games."
De Zerbi's apology reflects the growing unease at Tottenham. Despite a summer spend in excess of £300m, Spurs have looked blunt in attack, and the manager admitted his players are suffering from a lack of confidence. His comments suggest belief is fragile, and the upcoming fixtures will test his ability to lift the squad.
The numbers
- 407 – minutes without a Premier League goal for Tottenham
- 0.066 – Spurs' non-penalty xG per shot this season
- 6.6% – expected conversion rate from those shots
- 4 – league games without a goal, a first since September 2006
- 140 – games at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium before the first goalless draw
- £85m – fee paid for Mateus Fernandes, who had Spurs' first shot on target
Analysis: Why Spurs are misfiring under De Zerbi
Tottenham's attacking problems are deep-rooted. Despite dominating possession, they lack penetration in the final third. The expected goals (xG) data suggests they should have scored three or four goals this season, but their non-penalty xG per shot of just 0.066 indicates they are not creating high-quality chances. In layman's terms, they are settling for low-percentage efforts rather than working openings.
De Zerbi tried to change the game by introducing new signings from Manchester City, Omar Marmoush and Savio, while Dominic Solanke was handed his first league start of the campaign. As time wore on, Mohammed Kudus and James Maddison were sent on, but it was Lucas Bergvall who nearly snatched victory with a late long-range effort, saved by Jordan Pickford after the goalkeeper had gifted the Swede possession. The lack of a clinical finisher is glaring, and with Richarlison in dispute with the club and left out of the squad, options are limited.
Everton's defence, marshalled superbly by Jarrad Branthwaite, deserves credit. Branthwaite's performance will bolster his claims for a place in Thomas Tuchel's next England squad. For Spurs, the pressure mounts on De Zerbi to find a solution before the season slips away.
Talking points
- Should De Zerbi abandon his possession-based approach and go more direct to end the goal drought?
- Is Solanke the answer up front, or do Spurs need to sign a proven goalscorer in January?
- Richarlison's exclusion: does his contract dispute risk destabilising the dressing room?
- Can Branthwaite force his way into England contention after his performance at Spurs?
What happens next
Tottenham travel to face their next Premier League opponent, aiming to end their goal drought. The fixture list offers little respite, and De Zerbi must rally his squad quickly. With fans growing restless and the £300m investment yet to yield a league goal, the coming weeks will define Spurs' season. Everton, meanwhile, will take confidence from a solid away point and Branthwaite's commanding display.
Frequently asked questions
How many minutes have Tottenham gone without a Premier League goal?
Spurs have now gone 407 minutes without a Premier League goal, dating back to last season.
Did Tottenham have any shots on target against Everton?
Yes, Mateus Fernandes had Spurs' first shot on target in the 46th minute, which was met with ironic applause by the home fans.
Why was Richarlison left out of Tottenham's squad?
Richarlison was left out after a proposed deadline-day return to former club Everton collapsed, and he remains in dispute with the club over the remaining nine months of his contract.
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