Key Takeaways:
- Tottenham secured a 3-0 triumph over Doncaster on Wednesday to reach the Carabao Cup fourth round
- Joao Palhinha excelled defensively in an unexpected centre-back role while Mathys Tel endured a difficult night
- Sixteen-year-old Luca Williams-Barnett debuted as Tottenham’s 900th first-team player late in the match
Match Overview
Tottenham advanced comfortably into the Carabao Cup fourth round, overcoming Doncaster 3-0 at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Wednesday evening. Joao Palhinha set the tone with a spectacular overhead goal before Jay McGrath’s own goal dented the League One side’s hopes. Brennan Johnson rounded off the scoring, ensuring Thomas Frank’s side progressed to face Newcastle in the next stage.
| Scorers | Minute |
|---|---|
| Joao Palhinha | 14 |
| Jay McGrath (own goal) | 17 |
| Brennan Johnson | 90+4 |
Highlights: Spurs 3-0 Doncaster Rovers 📺 pic.twitter.com/qc80RjHpwF
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) September 24, 2025
Palhinha Thrives in Defence While Teenage Talent Shines in Midfield
With Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven absent, anticipation grew over who would partner Kevin Danso in Tottenham’s central defence. Contrary to expectations, Thomas Frank utilised Joao Palhinha in the back line, while 19-year-old Archie Gray was deployed in central midfield. Gray’s calm authority, intelligent runs, precise passing and physical presence belied his youth and justified Frank’s belief that his strongest role lies in midfield. Frank remarked, ‘I think Archie can play centre-back and right-back but I see him more as a midfielder and I liked to see him today in that position.’ He praised the youngster’s ‘running power’, willingness to go beyond defenders, and drive with the ball in a display befitting his burgeoning reputation.
Mathys Tel Struggles to Impress in Attack
Mathys Tel had hoped to apply pressure to established forwards Richarlison and Dominic Solanke. However, the £30m signing found the evening frustrating; he failed to connect with a dangerous Brennan Johnson cross that appeared sure to result in a goal, and barely applied a touch to a similar delivery later in the second half. Despite his difficulties in front of goal, Thomas Frank preferred to highlight Tel’s movement and pressing ability. Frank commented, ‘I don’t think he has been on a bad run. He played striker against West Ham which he did quite well and worked hard to arrive in the right areas which he did tonight so in terms of a performance it was a step up. Then we can look at the end product to score the goal but the performance to arriving in the box I was very happy with. I think it was a step up. His ability to arrive in the box and the pace to run in behind and get in the right areas was good. His pressing abilities are very good. His link-up play is something that is a good level but can be even better.’
Historic Debut for Williams-Barnett
Tottenham introduced Luca Williams-Barnett for his debut as the club’s 900th first-team player in the closing minutes, replacing Tel. The 16-year-old has been in exceptional form for the under-21s, scoring six and providing four assists in six matches, including a hat-trick against Leicester. Williams-Barnett entered to generous applause and displayed composure, beating his man and finding Destiny Udogie in the build-up to a move ending in a disallowed Lucas Bergvall goal for offside. Thomas Frank reflected on the growing influence of youth, saying, ‘Over the last many years, the focus on talent development in academies across the world is so big. The Talent pool is bigger, these talents coming through are. younger and younger. One thing is tp debut when you are 16 but the next step, and much more important, is how they take the next step forward. It is very tough to keep going and get into the first team but the first step is very important. It is always a pleasure to be part of a young player’s debut.’
The moment Luca Williams-Barnett made his debut 🤍
The 900th player to represent Tottenham Hotspur 🙌 pic.twitter.com/4OWwPo0zam
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) September 24, 2025
Doncaster’s Loaned Prospect Shows Potential
Nineteen-year-old Damola Ajayi, on loan at Doncaster from Tottenham, received permission to play against his parent club and delivered a lively display. Having started every Carabao Cup fixture for Rovers, including recording a goal against Middlesbrough in the opening round, Ajayi threatened early on by assisting Toyosi Olusanya, who missed a prime heading opportunity. Although yet to start a league match for Doncaster, with seven cameos off the bench, manager Grant McCann expressed confidence in the forward’s progress: ‘He’s getting better all the time. He is going to play a lot of games at our club. When you move from under-21 level to first-team football it is a different kettle of fish. It’s more physical, faster, so he is adjusting and we are working with him all the time. He has serious ability, he showed it in glimpses here, created a few chances in the first half. He’ll soon be ready to start week in, week out.’
