Everton couldn't get through on Tuesday night against Fulham at Goodison Park and ultimately went out of the Carabao Cup to the London club on penalties.
So, attention returns to the continuing need for Premier League points as the Blues strive to overcome the points deduction they were saddled with last month.
Before this week's cup game the Toffees had won four consecutive league matches without conceding a goal.
Next up then is a trip to the capital as Everton travel to North London and the Tottenham Stadium to play Ange Postecoglou's team.
Spurs started the season well, were playing some excellent attacking football and became the early league leaders.
They looked possible outsiders for a run at the title, but the wheels have come off to some extent as injury has exposed the lack of depth in the Australian's squad and Tottenham have slipped to fifth having lost four our of five games at one point.
Since then though they have recovered recording two consecutive wins over Newcastle United and Nottingham Forest.
Injuries are a constant problem for Premier League bosses as the matches come thick and fast and Sean Dyche certainly has his fair share of them to contend with.
And like Saturday's opponents these injuries have placed Dyche's small squad under serious strain over the last few weeks.
It resulted in the Toffees boss having to revert to a makeshift defence for the team's last game at Burnley. Despite that Everton still won and kept another clean sheet.
However, those injuries are stacking up and Dyche outlined today who will still be missing for the weekend's clash.
Full-backs Seamus Coleman and Ashley Young are out, but that is not a major problem as Nathan Patterson is a perfectly capable replacement and has played well since coming back into the side.
More of a significant issue is the absence of Abdoulaye Doucoure who is still unavailable with the hamstrong problem that forced him off early against the Clarets.
Everton's away performances have been the highlight of the season with the team picking up maximum points on five occasions so far.
Beating Spurs would be the biggest road win they have achieved though and is certainly a tough task, although they will be confident of doing so given that away record. It would also underline once more the progress being made under Dyche.