Tottenham’s Search for First Premier League Goal Continues
Tottenham’s wait for a first Premier League goal – and a first win – drags on. Everton came to north London, dug in, and left with a goalless draw that felt painfully familiar for a Spurs side still searching for a spark.
Player Ratings
Here’s how the home side rated on another frustrating afternoon.
Antonin Kinsky – 6
Produced a sharp stop to push away James Garner’s free-kick and then had to bail himself out after gifting the ball straight to Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall. Recovered with the save, but that moment summed up a jittery edge to an otherwise steady display.
Archie Gray – 7
One of the few who injected any real tempo. Drove out from the back, broke lines with his running and gave Spurs an extra body in advanced areas. Defensively solid, adventurous on the ball – and looked like he wanted responsibility.
Jan Paul van Hecke – 6
Might replay that early chance at the far post in his head; should have made more of it. At the other end he stayed composed, read the game well and rarely looked ruffled against limited Everton pressure.
Micky van de Ven – 6
Barely stretched. Everton’s lack of cutting edge meant this was a controlled, almost routine outing. Dealt with what little came his way without drama, but was never forced into the kind of last-ditch defending that tests a centre-back’s mettle.
Andrew Robertson – 7
Relished the duel with Brennan Johnson and largely shut him down. Picked his moments to surge forward, offering trademark overlaps and driving runs that at least hinted at danger. One of Spurs’ more assertive performers.
Rodrigo Bentancur – 6
Knitted play together in midfield with his usual calmness. Took care of the ball, kept moves flowing and offered a reliable passing option. Neat and tidy, but without the killer pass that might have broken Everton’s resistance.
Sandro Tonali – 6
Flashes of class – a touch here, a switch of play there – but still short of the authority expected from a £100m midfielder. Drifted in and out of the contest. Did his share of work, yet never truly seized control of the game.
Savio – 7
For a while, he looked like the one who might light it up. Lively on the right, quick feet and direct running that unsettled Everton’s left side. As the minutes ticked by his influence waned, but those early bursts suggested there is much more to come.
Mateus Fernandes – 5
The crowd’s reaction told its own story. When he finally let fly, the ironic applause was aimed at Spurs’ lack of attempts rather than the effort itself. Struggled to impose himself between the lines and needs to bring far more urgency and invention.
Omar Marmoush – 5
No lack of running, plenty of willing pressing, but the game passed him by in attacking terms. Couldn’t find the spaces to hurt Everton and never really linked effectively with those around him.
Dominic Solanke – 4
Handed his first Premier League start of the season and it showed. Rusty touch, off the pace in duels, and short of the sharpness needed inside the box. Worked, but rarely looked like scoring – exactly the issue Spurs can’t afford right now.
Substitutes
- Mohammed Kudus (on 63, Fernandes) – 4 Came on to change the rhythm but never got up to speed. Found little room, saw little of the ball, and couldn’t stamp any sort of mark on the contest.
- Lucas Bergvall (on 63, Bentancur) – 6 At least tried to force the issue. Delivered one dangerous cross and came closest to snatching it late on with a shot that raised the volume inside the stadium. Brought intent that others lacked.
- Mathys Tel (on 63, Solanke) – 5 A couple of sharp, tricky runs hinted at his threat, yet his impact stayed on the fringes. Promising touches, no end product.
- James Maddison (on 77, Marmoush) Introduced with little time to orchestrate anything meaningful. Couldn’t find the decisive moment Spurs were crying out for.
- Tosin Adarabioyo (on 85, Gray) A late change with no real chance to influence proceedings.
- Subs not used: Dubravka, Davies, Gallagher, Senesi.
The clean sheet offers a sliver of comfort, but the bigger question hangs over this Spurs side: how long can a team with this attacking talent go without a Premier League goal before the tension turns into something far more serious?
