Tottenham’s Goal Drought Gives Everton a Chance in North London

LONDON — Everton has scored only once across its last five away matches against Tottenham, but the upcoming fixture offers David Moyes’ side an opportunity to face a Spurs team under intense early-season pressure.

Tottenham Hotspur has collected just a single point from its first three matches and has yet to score a goal this season. That poor start has drawn heavy scrutiny after the club spent more than £250 million during a massive summer transfer window intended to overhaul the squad.

Everton’s own preparation has been deliberately low-key. Club officials described the mood at the training ground this week as players and staff “mucking in” while quietly addressing their mixed start to the campaign. Moyes is rebuilding the team after his historic 11-year tenure at Goodison Park between 2002 and 2013.

The manager received a significant boost from Jack Grealish, who is fully fit and ready to make his first start of the season. The England international is expected to give Everton a ball-carrying presence capable of controlling possession and dictating the tempo.

Moyes is expected to retain the structured 4-1-4-1 formation Everton used during pre-season. Jordan Pickford will anchor the defensive unit in goal, with Vitaliy Mykolenko, veteran center-back James Tarkowski, highly rated young defender Jarrad Branthwaite, and Ainsley Maitland-Niles forming the back four.

The central midfield selection remains uncertain because James Garner is a major doubt after being forced off with an injury last weekend. Moyes did not provide a definitive update on his availability, while Denmark international Christian Nørgaard remains sidelined and is expected to return after the upcoming international break.

If Garner is ruled out, 22-year-old Hayden Hackney is projected to take the deep-lying midfield role. Hackney impressed after coming on as a substitute last weekend and could start alongside former Leicester City midfielder Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and German midfielder Merlin Röhl. Grealish’s presence would add further control to that area of the team.

Tyrique George is expected to keep his place on the flank, with forward Thierno Barry slated to lead the line. Everton will need greater attacking efficiency than it has produced in recent trips to Tottenham if it is to take advantage of the hosts’ difficult opening stretch.

Moyes also has limited depth available as he manages a thin roster. The expected bench includes backup goalkeeper Mark Travers, Michael Keane, and Irish defender Jake O’Brien. Harrison Armstrong, Argentine midfielder Charly Alcaraz, teenager Tyler Dibling, and forward Brennan Johnson are available for second-half adjustments, with Johnson remaining a dangerous option off the bench despite a quiet performance last weekend.

Everton must pair defensive discipline with clinical finishing to leave North London with a positive result. Hackney’s defensive stability and Grealish’s ability to establish control in midfield will be central to Moyes’ plans against a pressured Tottenham squad.