Frank made seven changes to the starting lineup that recently drew against Brighton, underlining the squad’s flexibility. Despite these rotations, Tottenham maintained a high standard, taking control early in the match. The breakthrough came courtesy of Bayern Munich loanee Joao Palhinha, who scored with an acrobatic overhead kick after Doncaster failed to clear a corner. Moments later, Doncaster defender Jay McGrath inadvertently doubled the lead for Spurs, turning Wilson Odobert’s cross into his own net.
Although Doncaster, who previously upset Middlesbrough in the first round, showed resilience—particularly after halftime—they struggled to break down a disciplined Spurs defense. Captain Owen Bailey nearly pulled one back for the visitors, but his volley was denied by goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky, who tipped the ball onto the post. Doncaster’s Glenn Middleton also came close with a free-kick that brushed the side-netting.
Spurs continued to create chances, with Rodrigo Bentancur heading just wide and Archie Gray’s sharp effort well saved. In added time, Lucas Bergvall had a goal ruled out for offside, but Brennan Johnson ensured a comprehensive win with a third goal deep into stoppage time.
This match also marked a special milestone for 16-year-old Luca Williams-Barnett, who made his senior debut for Tottenham late in the game, taking the legacy number 900 for the club—a testament to Frank’s willingness to integrate youth talent.
Statistically, Palhinha stood out as the player of the match with an average rating of 8.41, according to BBC Sport user votes. Other notable performances came from Antonin Kinsky (7.66), Kevin Danso (7.58), and Brennan Johnson (7.39). Tottenham have now kept five clean sheets this season and remain third in the Premier League, while also making a positive start in the Champions League.
Looking ahead, Tottenham will host Wolves in the Premier League, while Doncaster return to League One action against Luton. With their Carabao Cup campaign still alive, the Spurs’ rotation and tactical discipline under Frank suggest they are well-equipped to challenge for silverware on multiple fronts.
For more match details and live updates, visit Tottenham vs Doncaster LIVE: Carabao Cup latest score and follow in-game highlights at Sky Sports.