Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino admitted his side were tired and struggled physically during their goalless draw against Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium.
Spurs missed the chance to top the table ahead of the rest of the Premier League's matches and would have finished the day as leaders had they won after rivals Arsenal could only manage a 0-0 draw themselves.
Pochettino's men struggled to create many openings during the game and were unable to breakdown a Bournemouth side that matched them all game for fitness and intensity.
Tottenham have failed to score in two consecutive games across all competitions for the first time since February 2015.
Shut out. pic.twitter.com/PGUEAc9CgV
After the game, the Tottenham manager was quick to lament his side's poor attacking showing, whilst also suggesting that his players struggled to recover physicallyfollowing their midweek Champions Leaguegame against German side Bayer Leverkusen.
Pochettino toldSky Sports:"It was a very competitive game.They were ready to compete and it was tough. We managed the game but it is true if you don't score it is difficult to win.
"They started energetic and aggressive and it was difficult for us. After playing against West Brom and against Leverkusen in the Champions League, it's tough early in the morning, but I think we were better after 15 minutes.
9 - Tottenham are unbeaten in their opening nine top-flight games for the fourth time in their history (59-60, 60-61 and 90-91). Spirited.
"We had control but didn't create enough chances to score. The effort was good, though, it is always tough after the Champions League.We need to be pleased in the end because it's one point more and a clean sheet, but it is true to be a contender we should be winning games like today."
The draw means that Spurs remain the only unbeaten side in the league this season butslip to fourth, after Liverpool's 2-1 win over West Brom in Saturday's evening game. Pochettino's team now travel to Anfield forTuesday's EFL fourth round match as the fixtures continue to mount up.
With Tottenham already struggling with injury problems, they may find themselves without Moussa Sissoko who could face an FA investigation into the midfielder'saltercationwith Bournemouth's Harry Arter.
The Frenchman appeared to elbow his opponent when the pair came together and the substitute is likely to face a ban should an investigation find the player guilty of violent conduct.
When asked what he made of the incident, Pochettino replied:"It was difficult to see from my position," he added. "I need to see on the TV if it was different and maybe I change my opinion, but now it's impossible to give a real opinion.
"[Watching] live there was nothing wrong."