A banner raised by a Tottenham Hotspur fan before kick-off felt less like a demand and more like a desperate appeal.
The sign urged the Spurs players to finally find the net as they faced Everton while still searching for their first Premier League goal of the season.
Following another scoreless first half, the request might reasonably have been changed to ask the team simply to attempt a shot. Despite controlling possession, Roberto de Zerbi’s costly squad rarely threatened Jordan Pickford’s goal.
Frustration and anger continued to build inside Tottenham Hotspur Stadium as the club’s run without a league goal reached 407 minutes, extending a disappointing opening to what had been presented as an ambitious new chapter.
For the first time in their history across England’s four divisions, Tottenham failed to score in each of their opening four league fixtures. It was also their first sequence of four consecutive scoreless Premier League matches since September 2006.
That record would be troubling under any conditions, but it appears even more alarming after the club invested more than £300m during the summer, with much of that spending intended to strengthen De Zerbi’s team.
So far, however, Tottenham have looked ineffective in attack.
This became the first goalless Premier League draw at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, arriving in the venue’s 140th match in the competition.
Judging by this performance, it may not be the last.
Although the season is still young, De Zerbi believed an apology was necessary and expressed regret on behalf of himself and the team.
He praised the supporters for backing the players during the strong opening period, when Tottenham appeared to be searching positively for solutions. He also accepted that the later frustration was understandable and said the fans deserved continued appreciation.
Everton had opportunities to deepen Tottenham’s problems, although the visitors also lacked a consistent attacking threat, which offered Spurs some relief.
As the second half progressed, the determined visitors created the two clearest opportunities of the match for Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Brennan Johnson. Meanwhile, tension spread through the stadium as concern among the home crowd intensified.
When £85m summer arrival Mateus Fernandes finally registered Tottenham’s first effort on target in the 46th minute, it was greeted by sarcastic applause around the ground.
There was genuine anger when Spurs exchanged passes in defence with only seven minutes remaining. At the final whistle, loud jeers accompanied De Zerbi’s players from the field, recalling the dissatisfaction of the previous season.
De Zerbi tried several combinations to end the team’s embarrassing scoring drought. Former Manchester City players Omar Marmoush and Savio occupied attacking roles, while Dominic Solanke received his first league start of the season.
With pressure rising late in the game, Mohammed Kudus and James Maddison entered from the bench. However, fellow substitute Lucas Bergvall came closest to securing victory with a long-range strike that Pickford saved after the goalkeeper’s mistake had presented the Swedish midfielder with possession and a shooting chance.
Richarlison watched from nearby with a sombre expression as the 29-year-old Brazilian forward remained involved in a disagreement with the club concerning the final nine months of his contract.
De Zerbi omitted him from Tottenham’s Premier League squad after a proposed deadline-day move back to Everton fell through. A possible transfer to Brazilian side Vasco da Gama also failed to materialise.
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