Tottenham Hotspur

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We asked for your thoughts after Tuesday's Carabao Cup third-round tie between Liverpool and Tottenham.

Here are some of your comments:

Liverpool fans

Angela: Still a bit laboured. If Spurs had put away their chances it could have been a very different outcome.

Gazza: Good result and big bonus to rest key players while knowing you can rely on youth to help. Still not convinced by us defensively but it's early days. So pleased that Gakpo has stayed. If he can gel with Isak, Wirtz and Barcola then that's an exciting prospect which should put fear into most opposition defences.

Robby: We may just pull off a few surprises this season with our wealth of youth all pressing for game time. The contribution put in by the younger players was definitely uplifting for both the team and the fans. Things are finally taking shape.

Nigel: Koumas - amazing non-stop pressing! He must be a nightmare to play against.

Ian: A much more positive performance. It was good to see everyone battling to keep possession and making good use of it, with some creative play capped off with three excellent goals.

Tottenham fans

Richard: Some promise, but still ineffective in front of goal. Maybe time to dispense with some of the 'old guard'. It was a little unlucky to draw Liverpool away early in the competition - hardly a confidence driver.

Febz: Chances made are frustrating when there isn't enough quality to finish them. We will always struggle without someone reliable to find the net. Improving side but fairly blunt at the sharp end. Eternally optimistic...

Ian H: We got bullied from start to finish. The Liverpool kids looked a lot sharper than we did and we need to start putting our chances away or it's going to be another long, hard season to watch.

Greg: Same issues. Just can't stick the ball in the net. We had a lot of attacking moments that didn't go anywhere and spent far too long just passing it between the goalkeeper and defenders, especially after we were losing.

Mike: Huff and puff. No finish. Dreadful football. What a shame to have sunk to this level.

Image source, Getty Images

Tottenham boss Roberto de Zerbi has apologised for Tuesday's limp Carabao Cup exit at the hands of Liverpool, but says it is "unfair" that his team are in "this unlucky moment".

Spurs' hopes of a morale-boosting cup win to distract from their winless and goalless opening four Premier League games were short-lived, and even Conor Gallagher's header - their first goal against top-flight opposition this season - came while already trailing 2-0 and did not change the outcome.

"We have to shoot more times, we have to shoot better, but we are sorry for the result. Disappointed, frustrated for the result," De Zerbi said after the match.

"I think [it is] unfair, but we have to accept and to be stronger than this unlucky moment.

"I'm honest with myself and I'm honest with you, I think in these five, six games, we have been for sure not lucky. With Newcastle, with Everton, even with Nottingham [Forest] and tonight as well.

"We have to understand if we are in the right way or not.

"I think watching the game, the last three games, four games, maybe until minute 60 with Newcastle, I think we are in the right way.

"I believe in my players. I have a big confidence, a big opinion of my players, and when we arrive to find the click, to win a game, I think we enjoy with these players, because the qualities of the players are incredible."

De Zerbi also took responsibility for the defeat and looked forward to Saturday's now pivotal looking visit of also struggling Aston Villa.

"I'm sorry, and it's my responsibility. Because maybe in the middle of the first half we didn't recognise the clear situation man-to-man," he added.

"It's a tough moment, but we have to be stronger to prepare our best for the next game with Villa and to find this click."

Tottenham remain interested in Nottingham Forest midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White, having previously tried to sign the 26-year-old in summer 2025, but the Reds have no intention of selling. (Teamtalk, external)

Want more transfer stories? Read Wednesday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Aadam Patel
Football reporter

Image source, Getty Images

For the 20 minutes between Conor Gallagher pulling one back for Tottenham and Dominik Szoboszlai wrapping things up for Liverpool, the travelling Spurs support and Roberto de Zerbi grew in belief but ultimately they were wasteful in the final third and that is what cost them.

Lucas Bergvall, Mohammed Kudus, Omar Marmoush and Savio all had great chances but failed to convert and they only had to look at the other end, with all three of Liverpool's goals coming from quality strikes.

"I don't know if the [moment Spurs' attack will] click is on Saturday because we have enough qualities to score many goals with these players," said De Zerbi. "It is a tough moment but we have to be stronger."

It was generally a positive display from Spurs, who had more possession, more touches in the opposition box and more shots on target than Liverpool, but their horrid start to the season continues.

If they fail to win against Aston Villa on Saturday, they will go into October without a victory against a Premier League side this season.

Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.

Have your say on Liverpool's performance

What did you make of Tottenham's display?

Reaction and analysis to follow - and come back on Wednesday for a selection of your replies.

There are five Carabao Cup third-round ties on Tuesday and BBC Sport will bring you every moment.

• Peterborough v Barnsley (19:30)

• West Ham v Fulham (19:45)

• Liverpool v Tottenham - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Ipswich v Arsenal - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra 2

• Reading v Brentford

Kick-off times 20:00 BST unless stated

Follow all the action and reaction here

You can also listen to today's 5 Live commentaries on your smart speaker. Just say "Alexa, ask BBC Sounds to play Liverpool v Tottenham" or "Alexa, ask BBC Sounds to play the Ipswich match", for example.

New this season: Live match updates

Fans of Premier League clubs can now get real-time scores live on their phone lock screen for every game.

Simply follow your favourite football teams on the BBC Sport app for updates throughout the 2026-27 season.

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New this season: Match of the Day Predictor

Simply predict the outcome of the six fixtures we've selected from across domestic and European competitions every week.

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Dale Johnson
Football issues correspondent

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Referees' chief Howard Webb has insisted there was "conclusive" evidence to disallow Nottingham Forest's goal against Tottenham Hotspur for handball by Neco Williams.

The Forest defender bundled the ball home in the 67th minute but video assistant referee Peter Bankes stepped in to rule out the goal for accidental handball.

It was a controversial incident with Williams and Forest manager Oliver Glasner adamant after the 0-0 draw that there was no proof the ball touched an arm.

"I've seen the images and the replays and at not one moment did I think I handballed it," Williams told Sky Sports.

But running through the incident on Match Officials Mic'd Up, Webb backed the decision to disallow the goal.

"This is not about clear and obvious. It's about a matter of fact," said Webb.

"The VAR looks at it, initially you can hear that he's not conclusive. He doesn't feel it's quite there.

"But then when he slows it down to an appropriate pace and gets the right angle, you can see that the ball clearly and conclusively hits the right arm. You see the sleeve move.

"It's clear. It's conclusive, and the goal has to be disallowed.

"Harsh on Neco Williams, but the officials have no choice."

Image source, Getty Images

Tottenham boss Roberto de Zerbi believes "for sure" that Dominic Solanke will rediscover his form and score 10 to 15 goals this season.

The 29-year-old striker endured an injury-hit campaign last season, scoring three goals in 15 Premier League games.

Solanke, who joined the club in 2024 from Bournemouth for a deal worth up to £65m, is yet to score in the league this season.

"I can't understand why I have to think negatively. OK, because last season he was injured many times, yes," De Zerbi explained.

"It's not the same last season [compared to] this season. This season, we have top physical and medical staff. We don't have three games per week.

"I spoke with him and I would like to manage him in the best way I can, in the physical aspect and in the mental aspect, because he's a sensitive guy. He needs to feel full confidence, and from myself he has big, big confidence.

"I believe he can score 10-15 goals for sure. He's already scored at Bournemouth, so why can't he score at Tottenham? It's the same sport, different stadium, no pressure, because in our stadium, if we push, if we play well, the fans are with us."

De Zerbi confirmed Solanke will feature in Spurs' game against Liverpool in the Carabao Cup at Anfield on Tuesday.

Solanke, who has one cap for England, enjoyed the best season of his career in 2023-24, scoring 21 goals in 42 appearances. He then scored 16 goals in his first season at Tottenham.

"I would like [Solanke] to play part of the game. I don't know if at the beginning or at the end, but one part of the game. It can be important for him," De Zerbi added.

"My challenge is to help him and to put him in the right condition to score."

Ailsa Cowen
BBC Sport journalist

Tottenham boss Robert de Zerbi has been speaking to the media before Tuesday's Carabao Cup third-round tie against Liverpool at Anfield (kick-off 20:00 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Midfielder Sandro Tonali will miss the game after he "felt a knock", while Pedro Porro remains unavailable. However, fellow defender Destiny Udogie is fit.

• De Zerbi said "the situation is the same" regarding Richarlison, who was left out of the 25-man Premier League squad and will not be available to face Liverpool. He added: "You already know everything and nothing changes for Carabao Cup or Premier League. At the start of this season I spoke to him many times to convince him to stay and he didn't want to. I can't go every day to pray for him to stay."

• Lucas Bergvall and Mathys Tel are among those being considered for the cup tie, alongside players who have not played enough. Teenager Luca Williams-Barnett could feature, with the manager saying many players need to play and suggesting "maybe not 90 minutes but 30 minutes".

• De Zerbi praised his options in central defence, saying Ben Davies, Marcos Senesi and Tosin Adarabioyo are "not less than Van Hecke and Van de Ven".

• De Zerbi accepted that the coach has responsibility for the lack of goals, adding that the team "have the qualities enough to score goals" and had "good enough chances" against Everton, but failed to make the right decisions. The Italian said he has "big confidence" in his squad despite their slow start and believes they "are very good players".On speaking to Mathys Tel at full-time against Everton, he said he was explaining the forward's "body shape" and added that the forward Tel "is a big talent".

• He said he wants the team to approach the cup competitions with the same mentality as the Premier League: "The attitude and spirit the same. I would like to go far in the Carabao Cup and FA Cup."

You can listen to full commentary of Liverpool v Spurs on BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Sounds on Tuesday

Got a question about Tottenham? Get in touch here and we'll seek answers from our experts

We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's Premier League game between Tottenham and Everton.

Here are some of your comments:

Spurs fans

Sally: We had better build-up play and possession, especially in the first half, but we didn't buy a striker or attacking players with good scoring stats, so how are we going to score? Our defence wasn't the problem last year, it was lack of goals, so start there for the overhaul.

DJ: It looks like the players are afraid, overly cautious and not willing to take chances/make mistakes, which is stifling the play. The new signings are especially timid when in attacking territory. There seems to be enough quality, but nowhere near enough conviction. A little bit of freedom is what this team needs...

Steve: I am just frustrated by the money spent and lack of football knowledge brought in. I mean, these are professionals, not school kids, and they know how to play football - but they truly look so bereft of ideas, especially when games require it. Even the fans are seeing the errors in decision-making. I have a son just getting into football but do I really put him through the emotional rollercoaster of being a Spurs fan?

Simon: This was another decent performance. Had Van Hecke taken his chance in minute six the outcome may well have been different. An anxious club, scarred by two very difficult Premier League seasons, needs its supporters. Those who chose to boo at the end should stay at home next week and rage on social media instead!

Everton fans

Greg: Tottenham were there for the taking - we just didn't have the inventiveness or the firepower to take advantage of that fact. This will probably be the pattern for the season, with not quite enough quality to exploit these opportunities.

Gerard: I'm a Moyes fan but he always leaves you frustrated. Given all the problems we have, a point is a great effort and well deserved. So why am I frustrated? Because, yet again, Moyes didn't put on our exciting young forward Graham for the last 15 minutes for the totally ineffective Barry. Just a small risk, Davie, for what could have been a huge reward. Other than that, great effort from all.

Dusty: Not the best game to watch so far this season but an away point isn't terrible. Spurs started well and we had to soak up the pressure, which we did well. We grew into the game and I feel it was there to be won. A robust defence and strong midfield stopped us conceding but, again, we need to be more clinical in the final third.

Keith: A resilient performance with lots to be positive about. Goals are the obvious concern. Barry will improve but we need someone now who can chip in and get the crowd behind the team even more to keep up the momentum.

Phil McNulty
Chief football writer

Image source, Getty Images

Tottenham's goalless league streak extended to 407 minutes as a stuttering start to what was meant to be brave new era continued in Saturday's 0-0 draw at home against Everton.

It was the first time they have failed to score in their opening four league games across all four tiers - and also in four successive Premier League matches since September 2006.

The grim statistic would be bad enough in any circumstances, but it is even worse after Spurs spent in excess of £300m in the summer, much of it designed to give Roberto De Zerbi's side an added edge.

Instead, they are a blunt instrument.

This was the first Premier League goalless draw, in the 140th game, at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

On this evidence, there will be more.

It may seem early days for an apology to the supporters, but De Zerbi felt the need as he said: "I'm sorry to the fans. We are sorry to the fans."

When £85m summer signing Mateus Fernandes had Spurs' first shot on target, the stadium rattled to the sound of ironic applause.

There was no irony when they played the ball around at the back with only seven minutes left, and when the final whistle sounded it was just like old times - or at least like last season - as jeers sent De Zerbi's players on their way.

The 'xG' - expected goals - statistic suggests Spurs should have scored three or four goals this season, but their non-penalty xG per shot this season is just 0.066. It gives them an expected conversion rate of 6.6%.

In layman's terms, it means they are not very good when it comes to creating an attacking threat.

De Zerbi, never someone to disguise his emotions, grew more animated and irritated as the game went on, marching on to the pitch at the final whistle for an exchange with substitute Mathys Tel, though the Italian insisted he was trying to help the French winger.

When any side embarks on the sort of root and branch revolution the Italian presided over this summer, it is inevitable there will be teething problems and time required for understandings and relationships to form.

And the change is understandable after two successive 17th-placed finishes in the Premier League. Indeed, Spurs' last league goal actually came against Everton on the final day of last season, courtesy of Joao Palhinha.

Spurs, however, have a toothlessness that must be a concern. It is certainly a worry for the supporters who watched their players either take too long over chances or, on many occasions, pass on the responsibility.

Former Inter Milan sporting director Piero Ausilio is set to join Tottenham, who have offered the 54-year-old Italian a role from the January transfer window. (Gazzetta), external

Want more stories? Read Monday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.

Have your say on Tottenham's performance

What did you make of Everton's display?

Reaction and analysis to follow - and come back on Monday for a selection of your replies.

Tottenham manager Roberto de Zerbi, speaking to BBC Match of the Day: "We played 30 minutes very well. Then we lost some confidence because we didn't score. We lost energy because our physical condition is not good enough yet. We made many mistakes in the last third - we made wrong decisions in finishing and passing.

"But we started late and had many problems in the squad because of the World Cup players, injuries, transfer market where situations were too late not because of our responsibility. Now we are working. We started 10 days ago to work with all players.

"We have to improve. We have to analyse better the situations individually and collectively.

"Football is like this. You could have lost the game today. We have to respect that. We are sorry to the fans because they stayed very, very close to the players, especially in the first half. But when you have fans and a coach like me who are very passionate, you can be angry when you don't score or shoot when you have chance.

"We have not players with many, many goals in their careers but anyway we have great players. I love my group. I am realistic that if we extend the first 30 minutes to more time on the pitch, we are going to win many, many games."

On James Maddison: "He is a great player - maybe the biggest talent in the squad. But he is not in the right physical condition to play. Hopefully he can work with the more in a couple of weeks. He will be important like he has done in his career."

On the team's level currently: "I think the first 30 minutes have been the best this season. I think during that part of the game, we could have shot more times and created more chances. But I think it's only normal process."

Tottenham defender Andy Robertson, speaking to Sky Sports: "It's about staying positive. Keep going and keep working hard every week. Today for large parts, I thought we were really good. But we are missing the key part. You win games by scoring goals. We have the quality but we are not showing it at the moment.

"Bump in the road in the first half was we went down to 10 men for a while. We should not let things like these affect us. That was the shift in the first half but we came back into the game. I never felt Everton were on top any time.

"Our final decisions in the final third have to be a lot better. Not rush it and stop looking at the clock and not panic. Lot of positives to take from today and lot of work to do as well.

"We conceded five goals in the first two games but we have keep two clean sheets now. It takes a lot of courage to do that. It's a huge positive. We have to put the whole package together. It's not because of the lack of trying. If you can't win, do not get beaten."

On reaction from fans at full-time: "They were excellent in the first half and kept pushing us and pushing us. It's natural unfortunately this club has been through a lot during the last couple of years. These fans have walked through these gates far too many times and not seen their team win. We need to change that together. We need to stick together and push together. We were all frustrated at the end because I thought we should have won the game with the chances we had.

"Fans come to the game and want to be entertained and we didn't give them that today. So no problem with them showing the frustration."

Did you know?

• Only Crystal Palace in 2017-18 (first seven games) have endured a longer start to a Premier League season without scoring than Tottenham Hotspur in 2026-27 (first four), while it's Spurs' longest goalscoring drought to the start of a season in the top four tiers.

• It has been 407 minutes since Tottenham Hotspur last scored in the Premier League, while they have failed to score in four successive Premier League matches for the first time since September 2006.

Joe Rindl
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

Spurs have not scored in any of their first four league matches, over 400 minutes of football, and again struggled to create many meaningful moments in their 0-0 draw with Everton.

After back-to-back 17th-placed finishes and £302m spent in the summer transfer window, the only way seemed up for Spurs before this season.

Instead, after five matches in all competitions their only victory has come against Charlton in the Carabao Cup, while their league start is statistically their worst since 2008-09.

Throughout the match, and in front of a restless home crowd, the Spurs attackers seemed to lack confidence and often opted against shooting in promising positions.

The frustration was particularly telling when a tame shot from summer signing Mateus Fernandes was easily saved by Jordan Pickford in the 47th minute and greeted by ironic cheers.

James Maddison came on as a late substitute, having missed his side's last two league fixture with a shoulder injury, but he was unable to conjure up any late magic.

Spurs were instead booed by a handful of their supporters at full-time following the first ever goalless draw at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

They visit Liverpool in the Carabao Cup in their next match on Tuesday.

There are seven games in the Premier League on Saturday and BBC Sport will bring you every moment.

• Aston Villa v Nottingham Forest

• Bournemouth v Brentford

• Chelsea v Hull City - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra 2

• Crystal Palace v Ipswich Town

• Liverpool v Fulham - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Tottenham v Everton (17:30) - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Sunderland v Arsenal (20:00)

Kick-off times 15:00 BST unless stated.

Follow all of the action and reaction here

How to follow the Premier League weekend across the BBC

You can also listen to today's 5 Live Premier League commentaries on your smart speaker. Just say "Alexa, ask BBC Sounds to play Chelsea v Hull City" or "Alexa, ask BBC Sounds to play the Everton match", for example.

New this season: Live match updates

Fans of Premier League clubs can now get real-time scores live on their phone lock screen for every game.

Simply follow your favourite football teams on the BBC Sport app for updates throughout the 2026-27 season.

Find out more here

Image source, BBC Sport

New this season: Match of the Day Predictor

Simply predict the outcome of the six fixtures we've selected from across domestic and European competitions every week.

Players can join at any time, get involved with the latest round and start building a streak.

Read more about it here

You can find the predictor in the navigation bar at the top of this page, or on this link

This is absolutely massive for Tottenham boss Roberto de Zerbi. First and foremost, though, he needs to take a bit of responsibility for his side's poor results.

He blamed the Spurs strikers after their 0-0 draw with Nottingham Forest, but at least he has got some in his squad.

I just find it wild that in a billion-dollar industry, which football is now, Everton got themselves in a position where they let Beto leave, knowing there was a possibility that Folarin Balogun might fail his medical and without having anyone else lined up.

Could they still go to Spurs and nick something? Absolutely. I am still not sure whether Tottenham being at home counts as an advantage.

But this game has a draw written all over it, and is actually an easy game to predict.

Spurs are a 'law of averages' team, or at least that's the way I see it. Eventually they have to score and eventually they have to win too, but I don't see both things happening this weekend.

Sutton's prediction: 1-1

Read the full predictions and have your say here