Tottenham Set Unwanted Scoring Record After Everton Goalless Draw
Tottenham’s 0-0 home draw with Everton has left Roberto De Zerbi’s side without a goal in their first four Premier League matches, a first in the club’s history.
The stalemate also delivered another unwanted landmark at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium: it was the venue’s first goalless Premier League draw after 140 league fixtures without one.
Spurs managed only two efforts on target against Everton and could not turn early control into a breakthrough. The frustration was clear at full-time, when De Zerbi became involved in a heated on-pitch exchange with substitute Mathys Tel.
De Zerbi points to fitness and missed decisions
Tel came on shortly after the hour but was unable to change the game, completing 12 passes and registering one shot.
De Zerbi said the side’s lack of preparation together had contributed to the loss of intensity. He revealed that Marmoush, Savio, Solanke and Maddison had only joined training two days before the match after arriving late for pre-season work.
The Italian felt Tottenham were strong for the opening half-hour before their physical level dropped. He said Spurs entered Everton’s penalty area 74 times, but made too many poor choices and did not create enough clear opportunities.
“We have to take more shots,” De Zerbi said. “The first 30 minutes showed that we can play football, but we need to sustain it for the full 90 and remain concentrated.”
Confidence concern after scoreless run
Tottenham’s opening four league results have brought defeats to Brentford, 3-0, and Newcastle, 2-0, followed by goalless games against Nottingham Forest and Everton.
De Zerbi accepted that the continued failure to score is affecting his players once an early breakthrough does not arrive.
“After 30 minutes without a goal, our confidence dropped too much,” he said. “I saw that again after the break and I do not like it. I have to assess the performances and the potential of the players.”
The Spurs head coach insisted he has not lost faith in his approach, stressing that the squad must be helped through a difficult start rather than written off.
“Players are human and sensitive,” De Zerbi added. “My job is to keep them focused on improving. If we can perform for 90 minutes as we did in the first 30, we will win many matches.”
