Tottenham Hotspur remain winless after being held by Everton on a frustrating Saturday evening.
Mauricio Pochettino’s side had chances to win the game, but suffered from a lack of attacking potency once more as the club’s search for their first three points of the season faces continuing into September.
Harry Kane’s one-on-one opportunity in the first-half was the side’s best chance of the game, but he was denied his first goal of the season by the superb Tim Howard – who was equal to the host’s efforts all evening.
The England international is now without a goal in over seven hours of Premier League football, but he remained lively in spells and was Spurs’ most threatening player from the XI that started.
His dragged shot wide of goal was the first chance either side had as Pochettino’s men started like how they would continue – as the most threatening team, but the Toffees were not without their chances and Tom Cleverley forced Hugo Lloris into his best form after dispossessing Kyle Walker soon after.
The stand-out chance of the game fell to Kane just before the half hour mark, though, as the 22-year-old broke the visitor’s offside trap to perfection, but could not sweep the ball past American Howard despite having time and space on his side.
It was an opportunity that the Spurs attacker would go on to rue as he became increasingly anonymous as the encounter continued, with substitute Dele Alli proving the side’s bright spark in the second half once again after replacing Moussa Dembele – who was stretchered off with what looked like a serious ankle injury.
Pochettino will be hoping that the injury to the Belgian is not too serious, but he will find comfort in the display of the former MK Dons man who was agile both on and off the ball during his cameo – ensuring the Blues back four a restless second half – whilst Ryan Mason also tested the visitor’s defence with a number of efforts.
The uncomprimising duo of John Stones and Phil Jagielka remained solid throughout, though, and did not succumb to the youngster’s threat, whilst the former recovered from a shakey midweek performance against Barnsley to prove why Jose Mourinho is prepared to part with £50m to take him to Stamford Bridge.
Whether this outing turns out to be the youngster’s last appearace in a Everton shirt remains to be seen, but that will be of no concern to Spurs boss Pochettino, who must now face an agonizing two-week wait before resuming his search for that elusive first win.
The sound of boos ringing around White Hart Lane at the final whistle may be a signal that the pressure is starting to crank up on the Argentinian, and an important few days lie ahead for the club to ensure that reinforcements are brought in to ensure a dissapointing start to the season will be a thing of the past before too long.
