Tottenham are hoping to find their feet in the Premier League under Roberto De Zerbi.
Another day, another missed opportunity for Tottenham to capitalise on in the Premier League. The Lilywhites failed to breach the Everton defence on Saturday, registering back-to-back goalless draws in the Premier League this season. It was a subpar performance at best from the North Londoners, who showed glimpses of their true potential on certain occasions during the first half of the game. However, for the fourth consecutive game, Roberto de Zerbi’s men failed to find the back of the net in the Premier League.
De Zerbi urged his players to take risks and show more responsibility on the pitch before his team took on Everton on home soil this weekend. And it is fair to suggest that the players took those instructions to heart and made a conscious effort to play on the front foot during the opening 20 minutes of the match. The attackers looked lively and continuously took on their markers without having any second thoughts.
But the attacking intent started to wear off as the game went on. It clearly became more of a psychological battle for the players as there were loud jeers from the crowd for every backward pass and every heavy touch. It seemed as though the Lilywhites were trying too hard to find Jordan Pickford’s net, but without mustering a single clear-cut goalscoring opportunity. And the final whistle blew before the players could find their feet and regain their confidence at N17.
Positive signs from Roberto de Zerbi’s Tottenham side?
Tottenham have delivered two consecutive stalemates in the Premier League this season, keeping two clean sheets in quick succession with a new-look defence. But these draws feel more like defeats for the Lilywhites, who are yet to score a single goal in the Premier League this season. Roberto de Zerbi’s men have created unwanted history after becoming the first side in the club’s history to fail to score in the opening four matches of a new season.
But Premier League stalwart Mark Schwarzer believes Spurs played positively against Everton despite being unable to breach the Toffees’ defence on Saturday. Speaking on the BBC, Schwarzer said,
“The biggest disappointment is the way which Tottenham played in the first half. The intensity, the opportunities they created just without any end product, without shots on goal. Second half was a little bit more muted. The subs definitely made a big difference; it was more proactive. Some decent shots on goal but just not able to get that goal. It was a more positive performance for Tottenham.”
As Mark Schwarzer rightly points out, Spurs should have capitalised on their missed opportunities in the first half against Everton. The Lilywhites had their best start to a game this season against the Toffees, showing immense attacking intent and playing aggressively on the front foot. However, despite all their conscious efforts to make a mark, the North Londoners failed to find the back of the net. Subsequently, the game started to wear off, with David Moyes’ men finding their feet and becoming more comfortable with and without possession.
Spurs may have failed to score for a fourth consecutive game, but Roberto de Zerbi should take some positives from his team’s performance at N17 on Saturday. The defence looked resolute, the substitutes made an impact, the new signings looked more comfortable, and there was intent in the final third. The only thing missing was the goals. And those will eventually come once the players find confidence in their ability and adapt to the Italian tactician’s playing style.
