Tottenham reach Carabao Cup fourth round after 3-0 win over Doncaster as Palhinha shines in new role

Tottenham advanced to the fourth round of the Carabao Cup with a 3-0 victory over Doncaster at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Wednesday, a routine night that doubled as a showcase for Spurs’ emerging talents. Joao Palhinha opened the scoring with an overhead kick that set the tone, and an own goal from Jay McGrath sealed the win as Spurs moved on to face Newcastle in round four. Brennan Johnson wrapped things up late on, ensuring a comfortable evening for Thomas Frank’s side.

With first-choice centre-backs Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven unavailable, Tottenham handed a surprising start to 19-year-old Archie Gray in midfield, while Palhinha slotted into the back four to cover in central areas. Gray’s display in a deeper role underlined the club’s faith in his versatility and potential, as he pressed, ran the channels, and offered decisive passes and quick breaks in and out of possession. The decision to move Palhinha into central defence and to lean on Gray in midfield signalled a willingness to preserve the team’s balance while still seeking control of the game. Frank later explained that he views Gray primarily as a midfielder and wanted him to demonstrate those attributes on the night, noting the youngster’s running power and willingness to play forward with the ball. The plan paid off as Gray’s movement helped Tottenham seek width and overloads in midfield, creating space for the more established players to operate higher up the pitch.

Palhinha, who arrived with the club’s biggest transfer expectations, set the tone early by slotting into the back line and then driving forward with confident carries. The Portuguese international’s overall performance suggested he is more than capable of adapting to the fluid defensive structure Frank envisions for this Tottenham side, even if the early season headlines around his £30 million price tag have brought additional scrutiny. The visitors offered little in the way of a sustained threat, and the hosts were able to build pressure through crisp passing and intelligent movement.

In the 24th minute, Palhinha’s influence culminated in a moment of quality that typified the night. The ball fell to him near the edge of the box, and he connected with a sharp overhead kick that arced into the net, giving Spurs a deserved lead. Doncaster, on the back foot, found little answer as Tottenham’s press intensified and the midfield's length and pace disrupted the visitors’ build-up play.

The half stayed in Spurs’ control, and the goalkeeper was mostly asked to deal with routine shots and well-placed crosses rather than facing any sustained danger. The game’s tempo slowed after the interval, but Tottenham continued to press, move the ball efficiently, and create chances that would stretch the League One side further before the night concluded.

Three minutes from time, a Doncaster clearance deflected off a Spurs attacker and into the path of a Tottenham forward, the ball looping into the net for an unfortunate own goal by McGrath that extended the lead. The strike effectively killed any remaining nerves, and Brennan Johnson added a late third to seal the win and set up a clash with Newcastle United in round four.

The night also highlighted Tottenham’s continued infusion of youth. Luca Williams-Barnett, 16, replaced Tel in the closing stages to make his first-team debut and become Tottenham’s 900th player. The teenager, who has impressed for the under-21s this season, demonstrated composure beyond his years in the time he spent on the pitch. He showed awareness with a calm first touch and a neat pass that led to a later chance, a reminder of the club’s ongoing commitment to bringing academy products through to senior level. Williams-Barnett’s appearance echoed a broader shift in European football, where clubs increasingly rely on youth pathways to sustain long-term success. Frank spoke after the match about the importance of the academy and the work being done to nurture young players, noting that the pool of talent is deeper and younger than in previous years and stressing that the challenge is how they take the next step to regular first-team responsibility.

Another Tottenham teenager on show was Damola Ajayi, 19, who is on loan at Doncaster and was allowed to face his parent club. Ajayi has started all three Doncaster games in the Carabao Cup and helped spark some early moments of danger with his pace and willingness to run in behind. He flashed a cross early in the game that produced a header opportunity for Toyosi Olusanya that narrowly went wide, illustrating why he is considered a developing asset for the Rovers. Doncaster manager Grant McCann highlighted Ajayi’s potential and his growing maturity, saying the move from youth to first-team football is a tough but necessary step and that Ajayi will play a significant number of games for the club as he continues to adapt to the higher tempo and physical demands of senior football.

On the Tottenham bench, the evening also included a reminder of the work still to be done. Lucas Bergvall momentarily looked set to add to the scoring when a clever build-up ended with his shot finding the net, only for the strike to be ruled out for offside. While the goal was disallowed, Bergvall’s involvement illustrated the depth and breadth of reacting to opportunities in front of goal that Frank has encouraged in his squad, where even minor margins can influence the rhythm of a match.

Looking ahead, Tottenham will return to Premier League and cup duties with a fresh eye on integrating the team’s younger players into more regular roles, while Doncaster will regroup and prepare for their next league challenge. The Carabao Cup run will now pause as the fourth-round draw pits Spurs against Newcastle, a fixture that promises to test the club’s evolving balance between youth development and experienced consistency. The evening’s narrative, from Gray’s midfield debut to Williams-Barnett’s first appearance and Ajayi’s continued emergence, underscored a broader trend at Tottenham: a club investing in its future while pursuing immediate success on the field.