Tottenham 3-0 Doncaster, Carabao Cup Match Report as Spurs book a date with Newcastle

Tottenham Hotspur advanced to the 4th round of the Carabao Cup after they beat League One side Doncaster Rovers 3-0 at home.

It was a dominant display by Tottenham, who scored two early goals in the first half before adding a third in the last minute of the game despite Doncaster themselves having their own moments at times in the second half.

Only Pedro Porro kept his place in Tottenham’s defence from the 2-2 draw against Brighton last weekend. It was still a strong starting XI named by Thomas Frank, much against the likes of what we assumed with many expecting him to play his B team.

First half: Spurs 2-0 Doncaster

It started bright for the home side as expected. Xavi Simons had an early pop that went over the bar, and Mathys Tel could not tap in after being squared by Brennan Johnson in what was a glorious chance to take the lead.

Not long after, Tottenham took the lead from a corner. Simons swung one in which Ian Lawlor failed to deal with, and after Doncaster could not clear, Joao Palhinha, who was filling in at centre half on the night, pulled off a brilliant overhead kick to put Spurs ahead.

Barely three minutes later, the lead was doubled. Wilson Odobert broke down the left and fired in a low cross that hit Jay McGrath and bounced into his own net.

Archie Gray, who many assumed would be used in defence, was instead Tottenham’s best midfielder on the night and almost got himself a goal when he forced a fine save from Lawlor.

At the other end, Antonin Kinsky, who had not been troubled until then, made the best save of the half when he tipped Bailey’s volley onto the post to keep Spurs two to the good at the break.

Second half: Tottenham 1-0 Doncaster

The trailing side must have heard a few words from their head coach at halftime because they started the second period much brighter, forcing a couple of corners early on.

Their left flank in particular gave Pedro Porro work to do as the Spurs captain had to step in with some key interceptions and tracking back. Doncaster also impressed with how they built from the back, moving the ball quickly from their own box into Spurs territory, though all of their build up play came to nothing in the end.

Their best chance came from a set piece just outside the Spurs’ box when Middleton’s powerful shot hit the side netting.

Spurs still carved out opportunities themselves, even if not many. Mathys Tel again missed the ball completely from a Brennan Johnson set-up, similar to his earlier chance, but from slightly further out.

Johnson, who was finally used on the right wing under Frank, was Tottenham’s most effective forward on the night. He later drove into the box and brilliantly set up Richarlison for what looked like a certain tap in, only for two sliding Doncaster defenders to prevent the Brazilian from reaching it.

With just over a hundred seconds left for stoppage time, 16-year-old Luca Williams Barnett came on for his senior debut. His first touches were understandably nervous, but he was involved in the build-up to Lucas Bergvall‘s disallowed goal due to Johnson being offside in the process.

Johnson and Bergvall eventually combined to give Spurs their third deep in stoppage time. Bergvall slipped a perfectly weighted through ball into Johnson’s path, and who has ever seen Johnson not finish from there?

FT: TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 3-0 DONCASTER ROVERS IN THE CARABAO CUP

Spurs Web man of the match: Brennan Johnson

What’s next for Tottenham in the Carabao Cup?

Another clean sheet and another professional display, though Tottenham should have scored more in the first half and looked a little disjointed after the break. Thomas Frank shared the same views, but there were still players who stood out, particularly Joao Palhinha, who for a moment did not look like he was playing in an unfamiliar position.

Archie Gray and Brennan Johnson also impressed, and both will give Frank something to think about when he picks his XI for the next game.

The win sets up a fourth round trip to St James’ Park to face Newcastle in late October. Before then Tottenham head to Molineux to take on a winless Wolves side in the Premier League on Saturday.

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