They turned their anger on chairman Daniel Levy, and delivered a sarcastic “Ole” when Spurs strung passes together. The elation of Everton’s supporters enjoying only a fourth league win of the season was met with: “You’re nothing special, we lose every week.”
The half-time whistle was met with pure vitriol, and matters were only made slightly less toxic by those two late strikes that set up a tense finish of sorts.
Spurs got what they deserved: nothing.
Postecoglou’s change of defensive strategy to three at the back failed dismally, though he insisted this was simply an attempt to find a structure with the personnel at his disposal.
The Spurs manager clearly has problems, but contrast their results and football to that of Andoni Iraola at Bournemouth.
He was without eight players and had a total of only 39 appearances on the bench at Newcastle United on Saturday, compared to the home team’s 979.
Iraola still conjured up a tactical masterclass with a 4-1 win that makes the Cherries unbeaten in 11 games in all competitions, just one point off the Champions League places.
This comparison is stark and unflattering for Spurs and Postecoglou.
All eyes will increasingly be on Levy, who is not renowned for his patience or increasing the tenure of struggling managers, especially when he is the main target for noisy discontent, not the man in the technical area.
The Spurs fans went through their full anti-Levy songsheet – never good news for any manager under his rule.
The idea of sacking Postecoglou is the easy bit. The hard part is finding someone of quality available now. Change for change’s sake is rarely a good solution.
Spurs and Postecoglou will cling to the hope offered by a 1-0 advantage going into the Carabao Cup semi-final second leg at Liverpool, when he will hope to have key defenders Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven fit again, although Solanke will be a doubt as he is likely to face several weeks out of action.
They will have to play many levels above what they showed at Everton for that hope not to be extinguished very quickly.
Postecoglou did not attempt to duck the issue, saying: “I have the responsibility of the group of players. I do have to try and get us through this and that’s what I’ve got to focus on.
“For me to focus on anything else is abstaining myself from the responsibility I have.”
And he remained defiant, adding: “My belief doesn’t waver.
“We are in a pretty extreme situation with injuries. If you look at the situation we’re in, it will eventually dissipate. I certainly hope and believe it will.
“We’ll give ourselves the opportunity to get consistency in performance and results. I certainly haven’t lost belief or determination to turn it around and the players showed in the second half that they haven’t either.”
Spurs now travel to Hoffenheim in the Europa League before a meeting with another of those Premier League strugglers, Leicester City, at home next Sunday.
‘Dr Tottenham’ has helped others – now a cure must be found closer to home or Postecoglou will be in deeper trouble.
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