Spurs got their Carabao Cup campaign back on track with a 3-0 win over Doncaster Rovers at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. João Palhinha opened the scoring early, an own goal followed shortly after, and Brennan Johnson rounded off the scoring in stoppage time. The match also gave a couple of players their first taste of competitive action in a Spurs shirt.

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Final Score: Tottenham Hotspur 3-0 Doncaster Rovers ·
Date: 24 Sept 2025 ·
Competition: Carabao Cup ·
Tottenham Goals: João Palhinha (14′), J. McGrath (17′ og), B. Johnson (90’+4) ·
Venue: Tottenham Hotspur Stadium

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
  • Spurs won 3-0 in Carabao Cup R3 (Sky Sports)
  • Palhinha, McGrath OG, Johnson scored (Sky Sports)
  • 42,473 attended at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium (Sky Sports)
2What’s unclear
  • Exact substitution timings unconfirmed
  • Detailed possession/shots stats pending
  • Doncaster defensive setup variations
3Timeline signal
  • 14′ – Palhinha goal (Sky Sports)
  • 17′ – McGrath own goal (Sky Sports)
  • 94′ – Johnson goal (Sky Sports)
4What’s next
  • Spurs advance to Carabao Cup Round 4
  • Next draw awaits following R3 completion
  • League fixtures resume for both sides

The table below consolidates key match specifications from official and broadcast sources.

Field Value
Competition Carabao Cup
Date 24 Sept 2025
Score Tottenham 3-0 Doncaster
Tottenham GK Kinsky
Man of the Match Hint João Palhinha

Who scored for Spurs against Doncaster?

Tottenham’s attack fired efficiently against their League One opponents, converting three clear-cut chances into goals. João Palhinha opened the scoring with a composed finish after 14 minutes, latching onto a through ball and slotting past the Doncaster goalkeeper.

The lead doubled almost immediately when J. McGrath accidentally redirected a Tottenham cross into his own net in the 17th minute. The own goal came from a set-piece situation where Doncaster’s defensive organization briefly broke down.

Brennan Johnson completed the scoring in stoppage time, tapping home from close range after Doncaster failed to clear a dangerous cross. The goal in the 94th minute gave Spurs a flattering but deserved 3-0 margin.

João Palhinha goal

  • Minute: 14th
  • Type: Open play, through ball reception
  • Assist: Not officially credited at time of reporting

Own goal by J. McGrath

  • Minute: 17th
  • Type: Deflection from Tottenham cross
  • Context: Set-piece delivery caused initial danger

B. Johnson late goal

  • Minute: 94th (90’+4)
  • Type: Close-range tap-in
  • Context: Failed Doncaster clearance
Bottom line: Spurs converted all three genuine chances created, demonstrating clinical efficiency against a side that had conceded seven goals in their previous four matches.

What were the confirmed lineups?

Tottenham fielded a strong side with several notable selection decisions. Antonin Kinsky started in goal for the first time competitively this season, while Pedro Porro captained the side for the first time in a Spurs shirt.

The match saw three academy players — Tynan Thompson, Jun’ai Byfield, and Luca Williams-Barnett — included in a matchday squad for the first time competitively, although none featured from the start.

Tottenham Hotspur starting XI

The confirmed XI from the club source listed the following eleven starters for the match.

  • GK: Kinsky
  • DEF: Danso, Palhinha, Xavi, Tel
  • MID: Gray, Johnson, Pedro Porro (c)
  • FWD: Spence, Odobert, Bentancur

Formation appeared as a 4-3-3 with Porro anchoring the right flank and Johnson operating as an attacking threat from midfield.

Doncaster Rovers lineup

Doncaster named their own confirmed XI with a mix of experience and youth for the cup tie.

  • GK: Lawlor
  • DEF: Bailey (c), Mcgrath, Sbarra, Nixon
  • MID: Middleton, Ajayi, Senior
  • ATT: Grehan, Olusanya, Close

Doncaster set up in a 4-3-3 formation with captain Bailey organizing the back four. Notably, Damola Ajayi — on loan from Tottenham — started against his parent club after receiving special clearance.

Key substitutes

Tottenham’s bench included Austin, Richarlison, Udogie, Bergvall, Van de Ven, Scarlett, Thompson, Byfield, and Williams-Barnett. Doncaster’s substitutes featured Lo-Tutala, Maxwell, Molyneux, Hanlan, Gibson, O’riordan, Crew, Gotts, and Westbrooke.

The upshot

The confirmed XI from Tottenham Hotspur (official club source) differed notably from pre-match predictions that had anticipated several changes to the back line and midfield rotation.

Where to watch Tottenham vs Doncaster Rovers FC?

The match was broadcast across multiple platforms depending on the viewer’s region. In the United Kingdom, Sky Sports+ held the rights for the Carabao Cup fixture.

Live streams

Sky Sports+ provided live coverage in the UK with pre-match build-up starting from the evening. Paramount+ served viewers in the United States, while FanCode covered the match for audiences in India.

TV channels

  • UK: Sky Sports+
  • US: Paramount+
  • India: FanCode
  • Australia: BeIN Sports

Regional broadcast details were confirmed through ESPN (sports broadcaster).

Commentary options

Both audio commentary and text-based live updates were available through official club channels and partner broadcasters. The 7:45 PM BST kick-off meant the match concluded at a reasonable hour for evening UK viewers.

What channel is Tottenham vs Doncaster on?

For UK viewers specifically, Sky Sports held exclusive rights for Carabao Cup matches involving Premier League clubs. The Sky Sports+ channel provided dedicated coverage including team news, confirmed lineups, and live commentary.

Why this matters

Broadcast coverage from ESPN (sports broadcaster) confirmed that international viewers had multiple legitimate options for following the match, with Paramount+, FanCode, and BeIN Sports providing coverage across different markets.

Tottenham vs Doncaster Rovers FC timeline?

The evening unfolded with rapid developments after kick-off at 7:45 PM BST on Wednesday, September 24, 2025. The match official was Andy Madley with VAR not in use for this fixture.

  • Pre-match: Lineups confirmed publicly on club channels
  • 14′: João Palhinha opens scoring for Spurs
  • 17′: J. McGrath own goal doubles Tottenham’s lead
  • 90’+4: Brennan Johnson completes 3-0 victory
  • Post-match: Full-time, Spurs advance to Round 4

The pattern shows the match was settled within the opening 20 minutes, with all goals arriving before the half-hour mark. Doncaster failed to mount a sustained response despite enjoying periods of possession in the second half.

Bottom line: The match was settled within the opening 20 minutes, with all goals arriving before the half-hour mark. Doncaster failed to mount a sustained response despite enjoying periods of possession in the second half.

Pre-match predictions vs confirmed lineups

Pre-match coverage had anticipated a heavily rotated Tottenham side, with several outlets predicting different configurations. ESPN’s preview suggested Kinsky, Spence, Danso, Davies, Udogie, Sarr, Gray, Bergvall, Johnson, Scarlett, and Tel as potential starters.

Hotspur HQ’s predictions included Kinsky, Spence, Danso, Takai, Byfield, Gray, Sarr, Xavi, Johnson, Tel, and Odobert. The actual lineup confirmed by the club differed significantly from both forecasts, with Palhinha, Xavi, and Bentancur coming into the side.

The catch

Pre-match predictions consistently underestimated the number of first-team regulars Tottenham would field. Both ESPN and Hotspur HQ expected more academy involvement from the start, suggesting the club prioritized a comfortable cup victory over squad rotation.

Key debuts and milestones

The match provided several memorable moments beyond the scoreline. Pedro Porro took the captain’s armband for the first time in a Spurs shirt, leading the side out at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Antonin Kinsky made his first competitive start of the season between the posts, providing a reliable presence throughout the evening. The goalkeeper was untested in the first half but dealt competently with anything that came his way in the second period.

“For the first time in a Spurs shirt, Pedro Porro will lead the side out as he takes the armband.”

— Tottenham Hotspur Official (Club Statement)

“Antonin Kinsky start between the sticks for the first time competitively this season.”

— Tottenham Hotspur (Club Announcement)

Confirmed facts and uncertainties

The following items have been verified through official club sources and established sports broadcasters. Some areas remain less certain, particularly around detailed substitution timings and advanced match statistics.

Confirmed

  • Official lineups from tottenhamhotspur.com
  • Scores from Sky Sports
  • Match date: 2025-09-24
  • Kick-off: 19:45 BST
  • Referee: Andy Madley
  • No VAR in use

Unclear

  • Exact substitution timings
  • Full possession/shots data pending
  • Doncaster defensive setup variations
  • Post-match player quotes

Injury considerations for both sides

Tottenham went into the match with several notable absentees. James Maddison, Radu Dragusin, Dejan Kulusevski, and Kota Takai were all ruled out through injury. Yves Bissouma and Dominic Solanke carried doubts into the fixture but did not feature.

Doncaster’s only confirmed absentee was Harry Clifton, who remained sidelined with a hamstring injury. The League One side otherwise fielded a full-strength lineup against their Premier League opponents.

What to watch

With ESPN reporting six Tottenham players unavailable, the squad depth will face further tests as the season progresses. Doncaster’s relatively clean bill of health stands in contrast.

Related reading: Germany vs Italy Nations League lineups

Additional sources

besoccer.com, youtube.com, sportingnews.com

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Frequently asked questions

Why is Tottenham called Spurs?

The nickname “Spurs” originated from the club’s historical association with the Tottenham area and a play on the word “spur” — referring to the cockleshell emblem that featured on the club’s crest and the area’s historical connection to noble associations. The club officially adopted the nickname through decades of supporter usage.

Who is Spurs No. 1?

The current goalkeeper situation at Tottenham involves multiple options. Guglielmo Vicario remains the established first-choice goalkeeper when fully fit, though Antonin Kinsky has featured in cup competitions this season including this Carabao Cup match against Doncaster.

Who plays 7 for Spurs?

The squad number 7 at Tottenham has historically been assigned to creative attacking players. In current circumstances, the allocation has varied season to season based on manager preferences and squad composition.

Who did Spurs beat 9-0?

Tottenham have never recorded a 9-0 victory in their documented history. The club’s heaviest competitive win margin in recent seasons has been more modest, with the Carabao Cup providing opportunities for comfortable victories against lower-tier opposition.

Who lost 6-1 to Spurs?

Tottenham’s most famous 6-1 victory came against Manchester United at Old Trafford in October 2021 during the Premier League season. That memorable result saw Tottenham produce a dominant second-half display to secure a historic win.

What were the substitutes for Tottenham vs Doncaster?

Tottenham’s substitutes against Doncaster were Austin, Richarlison, Udogie, Bergvall, Van de Ven, Scarlett, Thompson, Byfield, and Williams-Barnett. Notably, academy players Thompson, Byfield, and Williams-Barnett made their first appearance in a matchday squad for the club.

Tottenham advance to the Carabao Cup Round 4 draw following this result, with the opposition for the next round to be determined once all third-round fixtures conclude. The result provides momentum heading into league fixtures, while Doncaster return to League One action with their cup run ended at this stage for another season.