LONDON, ENGLAND — Tottenham Hotspur’s goalless start to the Premier League season continued on Saturday as they were held to a frustrating 0-0 draw by Everton at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, extending their barren run to four matches without a goal.
The result leaves Spurs with just two points from their opening four fixtures, piling pressure on manager Ange Postecoglou, whose side has now failed to score in 360 minutes of league football. It is the club’s worst start to a top-flight campaign since the 2008-09 season and raises serious questions about their attacking potency and tactical approach.
Tottenham dominated possession for large stretches of the match, enjoying 68 per cent of the ball and registering 19 shots on goal. However, for all their territorial superiority, they lacked the cutting edge and creativity needed to break down a disciplined and well-organised Everton defence. Jordan Pickford was rarely tested, with Spurs mustering just four shots on target, most of which were routine saves for the England goalkeeper.
The visitors, meanwhile, executed their game plan to perfection. Everton sat deep, absorbed pressure, and looked to hit Tottenham on the counter-attack. They nearly snatched all three points late on when Dominic Calvert-Lewin broke free, only for Guglielmo Vicario to produce a smart save to deny the striker.
Postecoglou cut a frustrated figure in his post-match press conference, admitting that his side’s lack of goals was a growing concern. “It’s not good enough, and I take responsibility for that. We are creating chances but not taking them, and that is the difference between winning and drawing,” he said. “We need to be more ruthless in the final third. We need someone to step up and put the ball in the back of the net. At the moment, we are making it too easy for opponents to defend against us.”
Tottenham’s attacking woes have been compounded by injuries to key forwards. Richarlison remains sidelined with a hamstring problem, while new signing Mateo Retegui has yet to find his feet in the Premier League. Son Heung-min, the club’s captain and talisman, has been isolated on the left flank and has struggled to influence games in the way he has in previous seasons.
The draw leaves Tottenham in 14th place in the early Premier League table, already 10 points adrift of leaders Arsenal. With fixtures against Manchester City and Liverpool looming in the coming weeks, Postecoglou’s side faces the prospect of falling further behind unless they can rediscover their scoring touch. The Australian manager will be hoping that his players can find a solution quickly, or else the pressure on his position will intensify.
Everton, on the other hand, will be pleased with a hard-earned point on the road. Sean Dyche’s men remain unbeaten in their last three matches and sit comfortably in mid-table, defying pre-season expectations of a relegation battle. For Spurs, however, the alarm bells are ringing, and a response is needed urgently.
