Thomas Frank made a winning start to his domestic cup career with Tottenham this evening as his Spurs eased to a 3-0 win over Doncaster Rovers. Spurs were not quite at their best, but ultimately made it a routine outing. After Rovers started brightly, Joao Palhinha opened the scoring with a brilliant acrobatic effort after Ian Lawlor’s miss-hit clearance. It was two moments later, as Jay McGrath was caught wrong-footed by a cross and bundled the ball into his own net.
Brennan Johnson added the third on the break with what proved to be the final kick of the game, but he could have had a rash of assists as Mathys Tel and Richarlison combined to squander three sumptuous crosses throughout the match.
Doncaster were peppy throughout the match, and were on top for long stretches of the second half, but could not find the all-important goal they needed and fell short of a dream Cup upset. Catch up on the action as it happened below with our dedicated match blog, featuring expert insight and analysis from Matt Verri, who was at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Tottenham vs Doncaster latest news
- GOAL! Johnson adds a third at the death
- GOAL! Unfortunate own goal for Rovers
- GOAL! Palhinha acrobatic effort to open scoring
- Tottenham XI
- Doncaster XI
FULL TIME: Tottenham 3-0 Doncaster
21:40 , Arthur FerridgeAnd that takes us to full time! Ultimately, a comfortable win for Spurs, despite Doncaster’s best efforts.
GOAL! Tottenham 3-0 Doncaster
21:39 , Arthur Ferridge90+4mins: Deep in injury time, Brennan Johnson breaks away and adds a third for good measure.
Tottenham 2-0 Doncaster
21:37 , Arthur Ferridge90+2mins: As Bergvall had that effort ruled out, the fourth official announced four added minutes.
Doncaster come forward through Gibson, and fires over from the edge of the box.
Tottenham 2-0 Doncaster
21:35 , Arthur Ferridge90+1mins: Bergvall has the ball in the back of the net, but the flag is up for offside.
Tottenham 2-0 Doncaster
21:34 , Arthur Ferridge90mins: A final breath of energy from Doncaster, who are all but out of time.
Tottenham 2-0 Doncaster
21:31 , Arthur Ferridge87mins: Luca Williams-Barnett replaces Tel to make his Spurs debut.
Matt Verri at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
21:30 , Arthur FerridgeHere we go. Luca Williams-Barnett is coming on and he takes legacy number 900 for the club. What a moment for the 16-year-old.
Tottenham 2-0 Doncaster
21:29 , Arthur Ferridge85mins: Andy Madeley finally has his cards out of his pocket after Porro dives in the box.
Tottenham 2-0 Doncaster
21:25 , Arthur Ferridge81mins: Bergvall’s corner is cleared to Porro, who hits a volley narrowly over the bar.
Matt Verri at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
21:24 , Arthur FerridgeJohnson could have had three or four assists this evening. Tel has done nothing to help him and now Richarlison can't quite catch up to the ball across the face of goal.
Tottenham 2-0 Doncaster
21:24 , Arthur Ferridge80mins: Another peach of a Johnson cross runs across goal, untouched.
Tottenham 2-0 Doncaster
21:23 , Arthur Ferridge79mins: Back home, time is fast running out for Doncaster, who require two late goals if they are to force a penalty shootout here. You would have to say, though, that is looking increasingly unlikely.
Tottenham 2-0 Doncaster
21:23 , Arthur Ferridge79mins: Around the grounds, Arsenal lead Port Vale 1-0. Newcastle are three up against Bradford City.
Tottenham 2-0 Doncaster
21:21 , Arthur Ferridge77mins: Gray swings a cross into the onrushing Bergvall, who can’t connect with the header quite as he’d have liked. Bentancur then shanks a follow-up well wide.
Tottenham 2-0 Doncaster
21:20 , Arthur Ferridge73mins: The away end are all on their feet as Middleton hits his free-kick into the side netting. Kinsky was rooted and it looked like it was in, but still Spurs maintain their clean sheet.
That is his final contribution, as he is replaced by Gibson.
Udogie replaces Spence for Spurs.
Matt Verri at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
21:17 , Arthur FerridgeAndrew Madley is having one. After his incredibly strange decision not to book Middleton earlier, he's now given a free-kick against Danso... his crime appears to be clearing the ball away.
Tottenham 2-0 Doncaster
21:16 , Arthur Ferridge72mins: Danso collides with Hanlan at the edge of the box, and this will be a close-range free-kick for Doncaster.
Tottenham 2-0 Doncaster
21:16 , Arthur Ferridge72mins: Middleton dishes a looping cross into the box, but Kinsky comes to claim. Routine stuff for the Czech.
Tottenham 2-0 Doncaster
21:15 , Arthur Ferridge71mins: Doncaster are back on the front foot as Middleton looks to inject some vim and vigour into the Rovers attack.
Tottenham 2-0 Doncaster
21:13 , Arthur Ferridge69mins: Had Tel made contact with those two crosses, this tie may well have been killed off before half-time, but here we all are, wondering whether Doncaster can nick one and trigger a frenetic finish.
Matt Verri at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
21:12 , Arthur FerridgeThat's twice Tel has swung at thin air when picked out in the box by Johnson. Just not happening for him at the moment, to put it mildly.
Tottenham 2-0 Doncaster
21:12 , Arthur Ferridge67mins: Another howler from Tel. Porro plays Johnson in behind and he pulls it back to the former Bayern man, who swings and misses for the second time today. Really poor.
Tottenham 2-0 Doncaster
21:10 , Arthur Ferridge65mins: Danso long throw klaxon. This one reaches the penalty spot, but cannot be turned goalwards. The referee blows up Richarlison for tugging a defender’s shirt at the back post.
Tottenham 2-0 Doncaster
21:07 , Arthur Ferridge62mins: Richarlison is tripped by Senior, and the Brazilian falls in rather theatrical fashion. He wins the foul, though.
Tottenham 2-0 Doncaster
21:06 , Arthur Ferridge62mins: Doncaster rotate too, as Ajayi and Olusanya are replaced by Molyneux and Hanlan.
Tottenham 2-0 Doncaster
21:05 , Arthur Ferridge60mins: That is not one of Danso’s more memorable throws.
Richarlison and Bergvall enter the mix in place of Simons and Odobert.
Tottenham 2-0 Doncaster
21:04 , Arthur Ferridge60mins: Johnson wins a throw from Senior high on the right flank. Danso, the artillery, trots up to heave it into the box.
Tottenham 2-0 Doncaster
21:03 , Arthur Ferridge58mins: Not Tottenham’s best set-piece, that, as Bentancur lofts one into the box from deep and Doncaster clear without issue.
Tottenham 2-0 Doncaster
21:01 , Arthur Ferridge57mins: Spurs are coming out of their shells a bit now, with Odobert looking lively on the left flank.
Tottenham 2-0 Doncaster
21:00 , Arthur Ferridge56mins: Doncaster are continuing to apply pressure, but need to capitalise and pull one back sooner rather than later.
Matt Verri at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
20:59 , Arthur FerridgeThis has been a really poor start to the half from Spurs. Doncaster have been much the better side since the break. Richarlison and Bergvall among those warming up at the moment.
Tottenham 2-0 Doncaster
20:58 , Arthur Ferridge53mins: Middleton finds Olusanya in the middle, and he could have shot first time but opts to dribble instead and is dispossessed. Later, Middleton wins another corner.
Tottenham 2-0 Doncaster
20:56 , Arthur Ferridge51mins: Once again, there is no Rovers head on the end of the penalty. It falls to Bailey, though, who has another go at Kinsky on the volley and draws a routine save.
Tottenham 2-0 Doncaster
20:55 , Arthur Ferridge51mins: As I say that, Senior wins a corner for Doncaster.
Tottenham 2-0 Doncaster
20:54 , Arthur Ferridge50mins: Spurs seem to have weathered the Doncaster storm, for now.
Matt Verri at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
20:53 , Arthur FerridgeTel absolutely hacked down as he breaks down the left on the counter. Unfortunately for Spurs, the referee is the only person inside the stadium who thinks Middleton didn't deserve a yellow for that.
Tottenham 2-0 Doncaster
20:52 , Arthur Ferridge48mins: Quite remarkable Middleton hasn’t been booked for that. He was nowhere near the ball.
Tottenham 2-0 Doncaster
20:51 , Arthur Ferridge47mins: Rovers win a corner, but again cannot beat the first man. Spurs break back, and Tel is hacked down on the counter by Middleton.
Tottenham 2-0 Doncaster
20:51 , Arthur Ferridge46mins: A peppy start from Doncaster here, as they push to pull one back.
SECOND HALF: Tottenham 2-0 Doncaster
20:49 , Arthur FerridgeNo changes for either side as we get back underway for the second half! Can Doncaster overturn their two-goal deficit?
HALF TIME: Tottenham 2-0 Doncaster
20:34 , Arthur FerridgeThat does it for the first half. A comfortable lead for the hosts thanks to Palhinha’s overhead kick and McGrath’s own goal.
Tottenham 2-0 Doncaster
20:33 , Arthur Ferridge45+2mins: Granted, half-time is only 90 seconds or so away, but there are huge swathes of empty seats in the stadium here.
Tottenham 2-0 Doncaster
20:31 , Arthur Ferridge45+1mins: Three minutes are added at the end of the first-half, as Danso’s long throw comes to nothing.
Tottenham 2-0 Doncaster
20:31 , Arthur Ferridge45mins: Just the eight corners for Tottenham in this first half.
Tottenham 2-0 Doncaster
20:30 , Arthur Ferridge44mins: Middleton clears the corner behind, and Spurs will get yet another set piece.
Tottenham 2-0 Doncaster
20:29 , Arthur Ferridge44mins: Another long-range dig from Porro, and this one forces a save from Lawlor.
Tottenham 2-0 Doncaster
20:29 , Arthur Ferridge43mins: Nixon gets a foot in to stop Odobert in his tracks as he bears down on goal. Another corner to Spurs, though.
Tottenham 2-0 Doncaster
20:27 , Arthur Ferridge41mins: Simons is down on the edge of the box and appealing for a penalty, but referee Andy Madeley does not seem particularly interested.
Matt Verri at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
20:27 , Arthur FerridgeKinsky has spent most of this half swinging his arms around as though he's swimming, trying to stay warm. It's worked - that was a great save to keep out Bailey's volley, tipping it onto the post.
Tottenham 2-0 Doncaster
20:26 , Arthur Ferridge41mins: Bailey hit a Di Cannio kick of sorts at Kinsky, and he gets one hand down to push it onto the post. Cracking stop.
Tottenham 2-0 Doncaster
20:25 , Arthur Ferridge39mins: A huge save from Kinsky to deny Doncaster from close range!
Tottenham 2-0 Doncaster
20:23 , Arthur Ferridge37mins: Another Spurs corner, and this one is dished to Porro on the edge. He lashes a volley at goal, and an unfortunate defender, maybe Senior, takes it on his head to deny the goalscoring chance.
Tottenham 2-0 Doncaster
20:22 , Arthur Ferridge35mins: Back underway.
Tottenham 2-0 Doncaster
20:19 , Arthur Ferridge34mins: A break in play as Olusanya and Danso both receive treatment. The Spurs squad retreat to the touchline for Frank to dispense some tactical wisdom.
Matt Verri at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
20:19 , Arthur FerridgeSpurs have caused Premier League sides problems from set-pieces this season so it's no surprise that Doncaster are struggling. The hosts look like scoring from every corner and free-kick at the moment.
Tottenham 2-0 Doncaster
20:18 , Arthur Ferridge32mins: This latest Spurs corner results in yet another shot on target, but it is blocked. Doncaster really under the cosh here.
Tottenham 2-0 Doncaster
20:17 , Arthur Ferridge31mins: Gray is hauled down in midfield, and the resultant free kick is pumped into the box. It falls to Gray, whose snap shot is very well saved by Lawlor.
Tottenham 2-0 Doncaster
20:15 , Arthur Ferridge30mins: Despite Frank telling us he would play at centre-back, Palhinha is repeatedly finding himself in very advanced positions.
Tottenham 2-0 Doncaster
20:14 , Arthur Ferridge28mins: Bentancur heads wide and demands a corner, but the referee is having none of it. Grehan does look to have got a touch, in fairness.
Tottenham 2-0 Doncaster
20:13 , Arthur Ferridge27mins: Tel gets on the ball at the corner of the Doncaster box and smashes one goalwards, but Lawlor is equal to it, making amends for his earlier gaffes.
Tottenham 2-0 Doncaster
20:12 , Arthur Ferridge27mins: Olusanya looks to have got the better of Bentancur, but the flag is up.
Tottenham 2-0 Doncaster
20:12 , Arthur Ferridge25mins: A better spell for Doncaster here, as they enjoy a brief spell of possession, but besides an unthreatening corner there is no real attacking impetus from the visitors.
Tottenham 2-0 Doncaster
20:08 , Arthur Ferridge22mins: A chance for Doncaster as Middleton gets in behind, but his cross is behind Olusanya.
Tottenham 2-0 Doncaster
20:07 , Arthur Ferridge22mins: Johnson crosses to Tel (again) but the ball can’t quite reach its target.
Tottenham 2-0 Doncaster
20:06 , Arthur Ferridge20mins: As Matt says, Doncaster’s fortunes have reversed in an instant. They’ve gone from being on the front foot and maybe the slightly better team to two down in the blink of an eye. One could see this becoming a rout as Spurs grab the match by the scruff of the neck.
Matt Verri at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
20:05 , Arthur Ferridge2-0 almost immediately. After a bright start, we're into 'this could be a long night' territory already for Doncaster.
GOAL! Tottenham 2-0 Doncaster | McGrath (OG) '17
20:03 , Arthur FerridgeThis has all gone pear-shaped extremely quickly for Doncaster. They started so brightly, but suddenly they’re two behind. McGrath cannot get out of the way of Odobert’s cross and he bundles it over the line.
Matt Verri at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
20:02 , Arthur FerridgeGreat finish from Palhinha but that's terrible from Lawlor. Not only did he flap at the corner, he managed to end up a couple of miles away from his goal in the process. Could only watch the ball find the empty net.
GOAL! Tottenham 1-0 Doncaster | Palhinha '14
20:00 , Arthur FerridgeTottenham scoring from a set piece? Imagine my shock. Simons’ cross is punched away by Lawlor, but it falls to Palhinha, who fires home with an acrobatic bicycle kick.
Tottenham 0-0 Doncaster
19:59 , Arthur Ferridge13mins: McGrath heads Danso’s long throw behind for a corner.
Matt Verri at Hotspur Stadium
19:58 , Arthur FerridgeGood spell this for Doncaster. Ball fell for Ajayi at the back post, but it wouldn't come down in time for the on-loan Spurs man. League One side are holding their own at the moment.
Tottenham 0-0 Doncaster
19:57 , Arthur Ferridge12mins: Another chance goes begging for Tel, who cannot connect with Johnson’s latest cross.
Tottenham 0-0 Doncaster
19:57 , Arthur Ferridge11mins: Ajayi almost inflicts misery on his parent club, but miss-hits his shot so badly it could be read as a cross. Olusanya attempts to head home, but cannot hit the target.
Tottenham 0-0 Doncaster
19:55 , Arthur Ferridge9mins: A ball over the top to Johnson seems to have triggered an attack, but the Welshman is offside.
Tottenham 0-0 Doncaster
19:52 , Arthur Ferridge7mins: Middleton takes and whips it to the near post, but he does not beat the first man.
Tottenham 0-0 Doncaster
19:52 , Arthur Ferridge6mins: Corner for Doncaster...
Tottenham 0-0 Doncaster
19:50 , Arthur Ferridge4mins: A long throw is heaved into the Doncaster box and it falls to Xavi, who fires wide. Quite impressive that Spurs haven’t scored yet.
Tottenham 0-0 Doncaster
19:49 , Arthur Ferridge3mins: Nightmare for Tel! That is dreadful. Johnson plays it along the floor to his striker, who swings and misses. It would have been a naer-certain goal if he had connected with it.
Matt Verri at Hotspur Stadium
19:48 , Arthur FerridgeA bit ragged at the back early on from Spurs but the attacking threat is obvious. Simons with so much space to drive forward into, nearly leads to a Tel goal. Get the feeling Simons is going to have a lot of fun tonight.
Tottenham 0-0 Doncaster
19:48 , Arthur Ferridge2mins: Spurs answer back with a chance of their own. Simons dashes goalwards and feeds Odobert on the left. He squares to Tel, who can’t quite get his effort on target.
Tottenham 0-0 Doncaster
19:47 , Arthur Ferridge1mins: The first shots of the game fall to Doncaster! Odobert is dispossessed on the left flank and the Rovers drive. They see two shots blocked.
KICK-OFF! Tottenham 0-0 Doncaster
19:45 , Arthur FerridgeWe are underway in this Carabao Cup clash! Tottenham are in their traditional white, while Doncaster are in red with white stripes.
Matt Verri at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
19:43 , Arthur FerridgeAway end is packed, Doncaster fans have travelled in big numbers. Would be fair to say that it's not quite so busy elsewhere in the stadium...
Not long to go now!
19:40 , Arthur FerridgeJust five minutes to kick-off!
Fighting talk from the Doncaster gaffer
19:35 , Arthur FerridgeDoncaster boss Grant McCann previews the tie, and is ready to take the fight to his hosts.
He told Sky Sports: “Yeah, really looking forward to it. We’ve done well up to this point. Obviously, to go to Middlesbrough and win 4-0, go to Accrington and win late on, we deserve this opportunity. The players are ready. We’ll put on a tough test for Tottenham.”
How is Doncaster's League One form?
19:25 , Arthur FerridgeDoncaster have started the season well, and sit seventh in League One.
They opened their season with a 1-0 win over Exeter and scarcely looked back until this month, losing only once between that match and the first week of September.
Since then, though, consecutive losses to Wigan Athletic and AFC Wimbledon have them reeling.
Can they get back to form this evening? It remains to be seen.
Frank explains his selection
19:15 , Arthur FerridgeFrank explains his selection to Tottenham’s in-house media channel, highlighting some changes to the team’s shape.
“A few changes. It is a strong team. very important for us that we come here and do the job, and beat Doncaster. It won’t be easy. It will be Kevin Danso and Palhinha in central defence, Archie (Gray) and Rodri (Bentancur) in midfield, Xavi in the No10.”
One unexplained Spurs absentee
19:05 , Arthur FerridgePape Matar Sarr is not present in the Spurs squad tonight, despite being left on the bench for the full ninety minutes as Tottenham drew 2-2 with Brighton at the weekend.
A familiar face in the Doncaster XI...
18:54 , Arthur FerridgeDamola Ajayi is a surprise starter for Doncaster tonight.
The 19-year-old winger is currently on loan from Tottenham to the northerners, and bagged a goal for Spurs in the Europa League group phase last season.
He hadn’t been expected to start, but his familiarity with the Spurs squad may give him a leg up over his Rovers team-mates.
Matt Verri at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
18:44 , Arthur FerridgeThat's a strong side named by Thomas Frank. Rodrigo Bentancur and Joao Palhinha at the base of midfield, Xavi Simons at No10. No messing around. Bit more rotation at the back, where it looks like Archie Gray alongside Kevin Danso at the centre of defence. Mathys Tel leads the line.
TOTTENHAM CONFIRMED TEAM NEWS
18:36 , Arthur FerridgeThomas Frank goes fairly strong...
Tottenham starting XI: Kinsky; Spence, Porro, Danso, Gray; Bentancur, Palhinha, Xavi; Johnson, Odobert, Tel
Subs: Austin, Richarlison, Udogie, Bergvall, Van de Ven, Scarlett, Thompson, Byfield, Williams-Barnett
DONCASTER CONFIRMED TEAM NEWS
18:33 , Arthur FerridgeThe visitors name their side.
Doncaster starting XI: Lawlor; Bailey, McGrath, Sbarra, Nixon, Middleton, Ajayi, Senior, Grehan, Olusanya, Close
Subs: Lo-Tutala, Maxwell, Molyneux, Hanlan, Gibson, O’Riordan, Crew, Gotts, Westbrooke
Frank set to name a strong squad?
18:25 , Arthur FerridgeThomas Frank has promised to name a strong squad this evening, and he will show his hand in just a few minutes.
He said pre-match: “If you want to compete in all four tournaments, you need to be good enough to pick the right team every single time. And I promise you before I pick the team, it looks like an unbelievably good plan. And also to be brave enough sometimes with the selection both ways.
“So I think every single time we put a team out there I think it goes super strong, but I think we're also aware that no players can play 60 games, 90 minutes.
“So it's that balance we need to hit throughout the season, not only because we are facing Doncaster.
“It could be Brighton last week, it was Villarreal, you know, we made some changes and we need to hit that perfect number of players that rotates and then a strong team. And it will be a strong team tomorrow.”
When these sides met last...
18:15 , Arthur FerridgeThe head-to-head between Tottenham and Doncaster is markedly one-sided.
Spurs won 5-1 in their most recent meeting, also in this competition back in 2009.
Doncaster last beat Tottenham in 1935. Yes, really.
How much would it mean to the Rovers to arrest that 90-year winless run tonight?
Head-to-head results in full:
Tottenham wins: 6
Doncaster wins: 1
Draws: 2
Is this Spurs youngster set to make an impression tonight?
18:05 , Arthur FerridgeStandard Sport’s Matt Verri speaks to Luca Williams-Barnett, who could be set to debut for Spurs this evening...
Asked what his targets were for the weeks ahead, there was no lack of confidence in Luca Williams-Barnett's answer.
"Win every game and score in every game," he declared.
On current evidence, the latter part of that equation does not feel particularly implausible. The 16-year-old has enjoyed a stunning start to the season for Tottenham's academy in his first campaign with the Under-21 side, and the club already face a decision of how quickly to progress him.
Williams-Barnett scored a hat-trick and provided an assist in a 6-3 win over Leicester last week, taking his PL2 tally to four goals and two assists in four appearances.
He also scored and assisted in the UEFA Youth League against Villarreal, as he did when Spurs faced Bristol Rovers in the EFL trophy.
Standard Sport prediction
17:55 , Arthur FerridgeDoncaster had a strong start to the season, only losing one of their first ten competitive games of the season, but have lost their last two in League One.
Spurs are looking good under Frank and should comfortably progress to the next round.
Tottenham to win, 2-0
Doncaster early team news
17:45 , Arthur FerridgeDamola Ajayi, on loan at Doncaster from Tottenham, is available to play after Spurs granted permission for him to play against his parent club.
Ajayi is unlikely to start, though, with Luke Molyneaux and Jordan Gibson seemingly the preferred choice to try and support the ageless Billy Sharp up top.
Tottenham early team news
17:35 , Arthur FerridgeBen Davies and Randal Kolo Muani are out injured for Spurs.
Frank is also without James Maddison, Dejan Kulusevski, Radu Dragusin, Dominic Solanke, Kota Takai and Yves Bissouma.
The Dane said in his press conference that he wanted his side to “compete across all four competitions. If we are going to do this we must pick the right team to do so”.
Antonin Kinksky will make his first start of the season in goal ahead of the rested Vicario.
There will also be chances for youngster Archie Grey, who could start in midfield, and Mathys Tel will likely play up front with Brennan Johnson off the right.
Frank also said it would be a chance for academy players to “impress off the bench”, meaning Dane Scarlett and Jun’ai Byfield could get some senior minutes.
How to watch Tottenham vs Doncaster
17:25 , Arthur FerridgeTV channel: In the UK, the game will be shown on Sky Sports Plus with coverage beginning at 19:45.
Live stream: Sky Sports subscribers can also catch the contest live online via the Sky Go app.
Live blog: You can follow all the action on matchday via Standard Sport’s live blog, complete with expert insight and analysis from Matt Verri at the ground.
Free highlights: The Sky Sports app and Sky Sports Football YouTube channel should show highlights after the match.
Good evening
17:13 , Arthur FerridgeHello, and welcome to Standard Sport’s LIVE coverage of Tottenham vs Doncaster Rovers in the Carabao Cup!
Thomas Frank is out to win some silverware this season. Can he take a step in the right direction this evening, or will the Rovers rain on his parade?
Follow along right here for all the latest updates, with expert insight and analysis from Matt Verri at the ground.
Kick-off is pencilled in for 7.45pm BST.
Click here to read the full blog on The The Standard's website
