Is talk of a Tottenham crisis premature? At this club, it rarely feels too soon. Four Premier League matches into the season, Spurs are still waiting for their first goal, something that has never previously happened to them at the start of a league campaign.
They at least registered two efforts on target, having managed none during last weekend’s goalless draw at Nottingham Forest. The first, struck by Mateus Fernandes shortly after half-time, drew sarcastic applause from the South Stand. This was hardly the outcome Tottenham imagined after spending £300m to rebuild their squad over the summer.
Spurs looked nervous and short of conviction, with the only apparent certainty being their inability to score. They were fortunate that unbeaten Everton also failed to find the net. David Moyes’s side created excellent second-half opportunities for Thierno Barry, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and former Tottenham winger Brennan Johnson. Everton defended with great discipline, although Tottenham’s lack of attacking threat made their task easier. The visitors fully earned the draw and arguably merited all three points.
Tottenham have recorded only one home league victory this year, a must-win encounter against Everton on the final day of last season. Since November 2024, their home record in the competition stands at 35 matches, five wins, 10 draws and 20 defeats. While Everton celebrated with their travelling supporters after the final whistle, boos once again rang out from the home crowd.
Memories inevitably returned to last season’s meeting at this stadium, when a tense 1-0 victory kept Spurs in the top flight. Defeat would have sent them down, and the anxiety lasted until the closing moments of stoppage time. That sense of pessimism still hangs over the home support and was noticeable even before kick-off. Tottenham needed to overcome those psychological obstacles, but they were unable to do so.
There were still traces of optimism. Spurs began brightly, pressing forward and circulating the ball at speed. Rodrigo Bentancur took control in midfield, while Savio offered pace and skill. Before the match, Tottenham had been ranked as the league’s weakest side for the quality of chances created. The central issue was whether they could turn possession into openings against an Everton defence skilled at shutting opponents down.
Everton arrived in confident mood after encouraging results in their opening fixtures. Their squad remains worryingly small, but it currently has enough depth to compete, and the disappointment of a poor transfer deadline day appears to have strengthened the players’ unity. Although Everton ranked second from bottom for chance quality, their performance was always likely to be judged primarily on their defensive organisation.
Tottenham applied pressure during the opening part of the first half but created very little in front of goal. Jan Paul van Hecke drove a half-volley well over from a narrow angle at the far post following Andy Robertson’s free-kick, their only real opportunity of the opening 45 minutes. Fernandes later lost his footing inside the penalty area after Van Hecke played an intelligent pass through the lines, an incident that captured Tottenham’s struggles. The players’ unease spread to the stands before being reflected back onto the pitch.
James Garner forced Antonin Kinsky into action with a free-kick near the end of the first half, producing the match’s first attempt on target. When Fernandes finally tested the goalkeeper from distance in the 47th minute, the home supporters responded with ironic cheers.
Everton showed greater attacking intent after the interval and took encouragement from Tottenham’s nervousness. They repeatedly threatened to break in behind the home defence. Tyrique George got past Archie Gray, who replaced the injured Pedro Porro at right-back, while Roberto De Zerbi was also without injured left-back Destiny Udogie. George’s cross found Barry at the back post, where his header struck Kinsky and deflected wide, with the goalkeeper having little time to react. George also unleashed an effort that hit Bentancur.
Tottenham’s play was repeatedly damaged by careless mistakes in possession. Numerous passes missed their intended targets, including a poor delivery from Kinsky that went directly to Dewsbury-Hall near the edge of the penalty area. The goalkeeper recovered with an excellent block, leaving Dewsbury-Hall frustrated at failing to convert a major opportunity.
Everton continued to look the more likely side to break the deadlock as Spurs wrestled with their lack of confidence. Frustration also surfaced among the Tottenham players, with Omar Marmoush involved in a tense exchange at one stage. Johnson then wasted a good opening in the 75th minute, firing over after Dewsbury-Hall had set him up.
Tottenham produced one final moment of promise when Jordan Pickford’s poor clearance fell directly to substitute James Maddison. The ball was worked to fellow replacement Lucas Bergvall, whose low shot was comfortably gathered by Pickford. Comfort and control ultimately belonged to Everton.
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