Palhinha spectacular helps Tottenham ease past Doncaster with Frank intent

"Tottenham, though, were always likely to prove too much for them. Thomas Frank made it clear when he was unveiled as the club's manager that he wanted them to compete in all four competitions they were in and they are up and running in the Carabao Cup. Spurs impressed in the first half, fluffing up a two-goal cushion and if they coasted after the interval, they never looked in danger of leaving the back-door open, of offering any encouragement for the fairytale."

"Joao Palhinha's goal for 1-0 was the standout moment and after a Jay McGrath own goal, it was Brennan Johnson a threat on the right throughout who completed the scoring at the very end. It is the Premier League manager who is supposed to make the most changes to his lineup and Frank could have picked a powerful XI from those he started among the substitutes, rested entirely or was unable to select because of injury."

"Yet McCann outdid his seven changes with nine of his own, the Doncaster manager staying true to his rotation policy in this competition. When he changed all 11 players for the first-round tie at Middlesbrough, his team won 4-0. Doncaster travelled with optimism; their near 4,000 band of supporters with characteristic Yorkshire confidence. It was punctured early on when it became clear that Spurs had the pace and skill to hurt them up the wings."

Doncaster rose from League Two since 3 February 2024, collecting 143 points and earning promotion as champions before a strong League One start. Tottenham approached the Carabao Cup aiming to compete across all competitions under Thomas Frank. Spurs controlled the match, highlighted by Joao Palhinha's fine goal, a Jay McGrath own goal and a late Brennan Johnson finish. Grant McCann maintained a heavy rotation, making nine changes after previous wholesale switches. Doncaster's near-4,000 travelling supporters showed optimism, but Tottenham's wing pace and skill quickly exposed Doncaster's vulnerabilities, including an early Mathys Tel miss.

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