Football London

Thomas Frank was a happy enough man in his press conference after Tottenham's 3-0 victory against Doncaster Rovers in the Carabao Cup third round on Wednesday night.

The game was won with an acrobatic strike from Joao Palhinha and an own goal from Doncaster defender Jay McGrath before a late Brennan Johnson strike. The victory set up a fourth round trip to Newcastle for Frank and his men as they look to compete on all fronts this campaign.

Our Spurs correspondent Alasdair Gold was among those putting the questions to Frank after the game. Here's a full transcript from the press conference at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

What did you make of the performance tonight?

First and foremost, happy with the win, happy with the clean sheet and happy that we are through to the next round. That was the aim. I think the first half was good. Controlled the game, created chances that we wanted and needed. I think we could have scored more goals in the first half actually. Got some big opportunities to Mathys Tel, Rodri and a few other situations that were dangerous.

Second half was more disjointed. I think we threw the ball away too easily. The pressure was not top but also praise to Doncaster. They came very brave, very good to stretch us. So if the pressure is not perfect they made it difficult so praise to them as well.

You put Joao Palhinha at centre-back and he scores a goal like that, what did you make of his performance?

Very happy. He has been very good for us since he joined us. Again, just stepping into that centre-back role and played very well and scored a very good goal. So yeah, pleased.

Why was Pape Matar Sarr missing from the squad?

Pape Matar Sarr just a minor precaution. A minor, how can you say, a little stretch to the thigh so we didn’t want to take any risks today. There is a good chance that he could be ready for Saturday.

What did you make of Mathys Tel’s performance? How do you lift a striker's confidence when he is in a bad run?

I don’t think he has a bad run, if I’m honest. He played striker against West Ham which I think he did quite well. Worked very hard for him to arrive in the right areas which I think he did today. In terms of performance that was a step up.

Then we can look at the end product to score the goal but the performance to arrive in the box I was very happy with. Just close with the first ball from Brennan, ready for the cutback. Second half got in there on two other good situations and had a nice shot. I think it was a step up in terms of performance.

On Mathys Tel, you spoke about how he can play on the left, he can play centrally, could you tell us what you think his main qualities are that he gives to the team?

I think you can see that his ability in this game to arrive in the box and the pace he got to both running behind and also getting into the right areas, I think it's good. I think his pressing ability is very good. I like the way he works in that situation.

And then I think his link-up play is something that is a good level, but he can be even better.

And Luca Williams-Barnett making his debut?

Yeah, very happy with that. I think it's always a pleasure to be part of a young player's debut. So, yeah, happy with that.

You moved Palhinha to defence and Archie Gray into midfield, are we saying now that Archie's position in midfield is something for him going forward?

I think Archie can play centre-back and right-back, but I see him more as a midfielder and I'd liked to see him today in that position. I was confident and I was happy that I was backed in that feeling about Joao as a centre-back.

Just on Luca, he's only 16, but others are playing in the Premier League at that age, does it feel like football's getting younger these days?

Yeah, I think that definitely over the last many years the focus on the talent development and academies across the world is so big. So the talent pool is bigger. There are these talents coming through that are younger and younger.

But one thing is the debut when you're 16. The next step, and much more important, is how Luca or other players take those steps forward. It's very tough to keep going and then get into the first team as a really regular player. But the first step is very important.

On Tel, you talked about how you were impressed with the way he was getting into the box, is it just a classic case for a striker who just needs one to go in off his backside?

Yeah, I think that's fair to say. Of course, he really wanted to score and do well. Unfortunately, as a striker, that you get measured on

Exactly the same as a keeper, you need to get measured. You can't throw it into your own goal, but I think, as I said before, the overall performance was really a step forward. But of course, I really wanted him to score as well, because that would make it an even better story.

It took a little bit of Portuguese magic to light up the start of Tottenham's Carabao Cup journey as they eased past League One side Doncaster Rovers with a 3-0 win and here are our player ratings.

Spurs reached the semi-finals of the league cup last season and with the north London club looking for Thomas Frank to compete across all competitions this time around the Dane took the first steps on that mission with a victory against a stubborn visiting side. The game was won with an acrobatic strike from Joao Palhinha and an own goal from Doncaster defender Jay McGrath before a late Brennan Johnson strike.

Within a tough fixture schedule Frank had made seven changes to the Tottenham team that came back to draw 2-2 at Brighton on Saturday with only Palhinha, Rodrigo Bentancur, Wilson Odobert and Pedro Porro remaining on the team sheet, and Cristian Romero and Mohammed Kudus rested from the squad entirely.

Porro captained the side for the first time with Palhinha moved back into central defence to allow 19-year-old Archie Gray to start in the centre of midfield.

Rovers, who came into the game sitting seventh in League One, were given permission by their hosts to play on-loan Tottenham youngster Damola Ajayi.

The game offered Mathys Tel a chance to get some minutes under his belt after being left out of Frank's Champions League squad. The £30million summer signing mostly fluffed his lines though. He began the game with a couple of missed chances while the lower league visitors caused some early problems, with Toyosi Olusanya heading wide from a great position from Ajayi's volley.

However, Spurs grabbed control of the encounter just 14 minutes in. Despite his defensive role on the night, Palhinha showed his ability at the other end of the pitch with an acrobatic overhead kick after a Xavi Simons corner was only partially cleared to the Portuguese eight yards out.

Within three minutes the hosts had doubled their tally as Odobert burst down the left flank and into the box and his low cross struck Doncaster defender McGrath and deflected into the net for an own goal.

Tottenham continued to carve out chances but the best one before the break fell to Rovers skipper Owen Bailey when his volley was pushed on to the left-hand post by Spurs keeper Antonin Kinsky.

The hosts spluttered in the early stages of the second half and struggled to find a way back towards the League One side's goal.

Chances were few and far between in a mostly dull second 45 minutes aside from a Glenn Middleton free-kick that curled inches wide of the right-hand post after foul given against Kevin Danso despite the ball cleanly being won.

Johnson was Tottenham's most dangerous player though at the other end teeing up opportunities for both Tel and substitute Richarlison and the Wales international duly rounded off the victory himself by running on to Lucas Bergvall's pass and chipping over the onrushing goalkeeper in added time.

There had also been time late on for Spurs to introduce highly-rated 16-year-old Luca Williams-Barnett to the 42,473 fans for his debut as the 900th player to have taken to the pitch for the north London club.

Here's are our Tottenham player ratings after the win.

Antonin Kinsky

Made a terrific save from Bailey's volley before the break. Had very little else to do. 7

Pedro Porro

Captain for the first time. Spurs kept getting him the ball outside the box from set pieces and he kept shooting, forcing Lawlor into one save in the first half. Had more to do defensively in the second half. 7

Joao Palhinha

Played as a centre-back but opened the scoring with an acrobatic overheard kick just 14 minutes in. Did well in a position that's not natural to him. 8

Kevin Danso

Cut his head in an aerial challenge that needed lengthy treatment off the pitch to stop the bleeding. Defended well in and around that. 7

Djed Spence

Made a great early tackle in the game in his own box before launching into a 50-yard run. Otherwise a solid showing. 7

Rodrigo Bentancur

Had a headed effort from a corner touched away from goal even though a goal kick was given. Reasonable enough 90 minutes in the middle of the pitch without shining. 7

Archie Gray

Started brightly with strong runs and had a shot pushed wide by the keeper after the half hour mark. A really positive display overall from the 19-year-old who looks more and more like he could become a good number eight. 8

Xavi Simons

Creative from the off and involved in early chances including his own shot over. Waned in influence as the game wore on especially in the second half and came off at the hour mark. 6

Brennan Johnson

Could have had an early assist for a low ball to Tel and another midway through the second half. Set up Richarlison for a late chance and then got on the scoresheet himself with a dinked finish over the onrushing goalkeeper. On another day he gets a goal and three assists. 8

Mathys Tel

Sent a shot over early on before missing a Johnson low ball that he didn't expect to reach him. Powered a shot at goal before the half hour mark. Fluffed another chance from Johnson in the 67th minute and just didn't take his opportunity. Could have had a hat-trick. His confidence looks low. 5

Wilson Odobert

Set up Tel for an early chance with a low ball and then powered in the low cross that McGrath could only deflected into his own net. Came off after an hour following a quieter start to the second half. 7

Subs

Richarlison

Didn't offer much but could have scored from a Johnson cross with a bit more effort. 5

Lucas Bergvall

Got the late assist with a lovely ball for Johnson's added time strike. 7

Destiny Udogie

Replaced Spence for the final stages. N/A

Luca Williams-Barnett

Molineux test for Maresca

The last time Chelsea played Wolves in the Black Country, they won 6-2. This time, they will take on the Wanderers looking to progress in the cup.

Chelsea take on Wolves after their game with Sunderland and before the London derby with Tottenham.

Tough trip for Tottenham

Tottenham will have to knock out the reigning champions of the competition if they are to win the EFL Cup this year.

Spurs travel to Newcastle in the fourth round and will look to earn their first win over the Magpies since December 2023. It's the first cup meeting between the two sides since December 2014 - a 4-0 win for Spurs.

The trip will come during a hectic period for Spurs. After playing Villa, AS Monaco and Everton, they travel to Newcastle before playing Chelsea.

Brighton for Arsenal

The Gunners will welcome Brighton in the fourth round and it will be a difficult test with the most two recent meetings ending in draws.

In 2022, the Seagulls knocked Arsenal out in the third round of the competition. The fourth round tie will take place inbetween Premier League games against Palace and Burnley.

Close to the draw now

We are just 20 minutes away from the start of the Carabao Cup draw.

Who do you want in the next round?

Lowest ranked team left in the competition

It has been some journey for Grimsby Town as they remain the lowest ranked team remaining in the Carabao Cup.

The Mariners made headlines worldwide as they beat Manchester United in the second round on penalties after seeing off Shrewsbury Town in the first round of the competition.

In the third round, they were arguably favourites to beat Sheffield Wednesday considering the Championship club's off-field issues and they managed to do just that.

Undoubtedly, no Premier League club will want to visit Blundell Park in October.

Final stages

Tonight's games are nearly over with Port Vale vs Arsenal in the final 20 minutes. The Gunners lead 1-0 thanks to Eberechi Eze's opener.

Man City are 2-0 up against Huddersfield and Tottenham are also winning 2-0 versus Doncaster. Newcastle are leading League One side Bradford.

When is the final of the Carabao Cup?

If you are feeling confident about your side reaching the final this season, you may want to pencil in the following date.

The Carabao Cup final will be played on Sunday, March 22 at Wembley Stadium.

Who is the favourite?

Odds courtesy of Betfair show that Liverpool are the favourites to win the Carabao Cup this season.

The Reds are backed at 7/2 with Man City and Arsenal close behind.

Liverpool - 7/2

Man City - 5/1

Arsenal - 13/2

Chelsea - 13/2

Tottenham - 8/1

Newcastle - 8/1

Brighton - 9/1

Crystal Palace - 10/1

Fulham - 14/1

Brentford - 14/1

Wolves - 22/1

Wrexham - 40/1

Swansea - 50/1

Who is conducting the draw?

The draw will be hosted by Sky Sports presenter Simon Thomas with two ex-footballers drawing the home and away teams.

Jamie Redknapp and his fellow former professional Michael Brown will be conducting the draw.

When will the fourth round ties be played?

We will not need to wait long for the ties in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup to be played.

The fixtures shall take place on the week commencing October 27.

Is there restrictions in the Carabao Cup draw?

In the third round draw, teams who were battling in Europe were blocked from facing each other.

This controversial rule did not endear itself to the rest of the fans and they will be pleased to know that such restrictions have been lifted for the fourth round draw.

That means we could be treated to a north London derby should both Spurs and Arsenal advance tonight.

When will the fourth round draw take place?

The fourth round draw will take place following the conclusion of Port Vale's clash with Arsenal.

It is scheduled for roughly 10.20pm UK time however that could alter depending on whether penalties are needed at Vale Park to separate the two teams.

Good evening

Hello and welcome to the Carabao Cup fourth round draw blog.

We shall be bringing you all the updates on the draw this evening as well as the latest from Spurs' clash against Doncaster Rovers and Arsenal's trip to Port Vale.

Thomas Frank has named a strong Tottenham side despite making seven changes to take on League One side Doncaster Rovers in the Carabao Cup third round on Wednesday evening.

Spurs are unbeaten since the international break with wins against West Ham United and Villarreal before the comeback draw at Brighton. Frank has named a strong line-up to face Rovers, who sit seventh in League One and feature on-loan Tottenham youngster Damola Ajayi.

Randal Kolo Muani and Ben Davies remain out with a dead leg and twisted knee respectively, as do Dominic Solanke and Kota Takai despite returning to training.

Goalkeeper Antonin Kinksy starts between the sticks in the third round tie and Xavi Simons, Djed Spence, Brennan Johnson and Mathys Tel after being named among the substitutes at the Amex Stadium on Saturday.

There is no Cristian Romero in the squad with teenager Archie Gray playing in midfield and Joao Palhinha in central defence alongside Austria international Kevin Danso.

Sixteen-year-olds Jun'ai Byfield and Luca Williams-Barnett as well as 17-year-old winger Tynan Thompson have been training with the first team and are on the bench with fellow academy product Dane Scarlett, who is looking for his first minutes of the season.

There is no Pape Matar Sarr in the squad despite the Senegal international not playing at the weekend at Brighton.

Here's the Tottenham team Frank has selected to face the Football League side.

Thomas Frank has been handed three very different Tottenham injury boosts ahead of a busy few weeks before the October international break. Spurs have started the 2025/26 season in great form with four wins secured from a possible six.

Their latest outing came on the south coast against Brighton and initially looked set to end in defeat after early goals from Yankuba Minteh and Yasin Ayari. Richarlison pulled one back before half-time and pressure from the visitors told with Mohammed Kudus' cross inadvertently put into his own net by Jan Paul van Hecke.

Summer signing Xavi Simons made a significant impact in the second period in central areas and more performances like that will be needed with James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski unavailable because of long-term issues.

Frank was asked about the latter in a press conference ahead of Tottenham's Carabao Cup third round clash against Doncaster with his comments providing some optimism that he will be back relatively soon.

"Of course Kulusevski is a top player, I always liked him when I saw him from afar," he said. "He is a key player for us, a key player for me. Instead of putting an exact month, I just want him back as soon as possible. The medical guys and Kulusevski are working very hard on that. It’s not tomorrow but hopefully not too far away."

Spurs also have several players missing because of minor issues with Randal Kolo Muani and Ben Davies both set to remain out.

"They will both not be available for selection," Frank revealed. "It's minor injuries, both of them. It's just too short a turnaround unfortunately."

On Kota Takai and Dominic Solanke, he added: "Progressing. Both trained today with the team, so that's good."

The England international has missed Spurs' last four games with an ankle injury that has been plaguing him since pre-season. Takai was diagnosed with plantar fasciitis over the summer, but looks set to soon play his first minutes for the Lilywhites.

Alongside that double boost, Radu Dragusin has also been in team training for the last few weeks after damaging his ACL earlier in the year. Maddison suffered a similar injury against Newcastle United in August with surgery required to fix the issue.

The 28-year-old has been posting regular updates on Instagram of his rehabilitation in the Hotspur Way gym. He recently uploaded a picture of him and Kulusevski on exercise bikes and the latest video has shown him improving mobility.

Maddison has been filmed balancing on on leg while throwing a medicine ball down at the ground and towards a member of staff. The caption of the 20-second clip reads: "Progress [ok hand emoji]."

Despite the progress, it is likely to be a race against team for Maddison to return this season with nine months often the absence period for such knee injuries.

Bayern Munich legend Lothar Matthaus has urged Harry Kane to snub a return to England in favour of finishing his career in Bavaria. Spurs boss Thomas Frank claimed on Tuesday that the door was always open for the Three Lions captain if he ever wished to return to north London.

Kane, who hit the back of the net 213 times in the top-flight during an illustrious 14-year spell with his boyhood club, is just 47 goals shy of breaking Alan Shearer's all-time Premier League goalscoring record. Many within the game feel Kane would still like to leapfrog Shearer at the top of the charts before he eventually hangs up his boots.

The 32-year-old's Bayern contract runs until the summer of 2027 and Matthaus has encouraged the prolific frontman to continue his stay at the Allianz Arena.

He told German newspaper Bild: “There are always rumours that Kane could return to England next summer to break Alan Shearer’s record for most Premier League goals. I would recommend Kane stay at Bayern. I don’t think Shearer’s record is a motivation. He’s done his work in the Premier League, and therefore he should end his career at Bayern.”

Crucially, Kane's contract contains a release clause that will be set at £54million when the January transfer window opens. Spurs are understood to be satisfied with their attacking options - Dominic Solanke, Richarlison and Randal Kolo Muani - at this moment in time but a future swoop cannot be discarded.

Boss Frank said ahead of the Carabao Cup clash with Doncaster Rovers: "I think there’s a lot of Tottenham fans including myself who would like to see Kane back. He’s a top player. Personally, I don't think he will do it right now, if I’m honest, he’ll probably stay in Bayern and continue performing well.

"He was top-scorer last year and won the championship, he’s doing fantastic now. I don’t know what he’s thinking. Myself, I’m a traveller, I like to travel, I like to explore things as well. He’s been here for many years so why not enjoy the time at Bayern a little bit more. But he’s welcome. If he wants to join us, he’s more than welcome."

Tottenham are back in action as they welcome Doncaster Rovers to north London in the Carabao Cup third round on Wednesday and we've got all the latest updates from the match.

Spurs made it to the semi-finals of the competition last season where they beat Liverpool in the first leg only to lose at Anfield in the return tie with a makeshift defence and a bench full of teenagers. On Wednesday evening they kick off their Carabao Cup journey under Thomas Frank looking to keep up a positive start to the new campaign under the 51-year-old.

Frank also has some history in this competition having reached the semi-finals with Brentford in 2021 only to lose to his future employers Tottenham. Now he will be looking to meet the club's need to compete in all four competition with a strong start against the League One visitors.

Our Spurs reporter Alasdair Gold is at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium to cover the game. Scroll down his live updates from the cup clash.

Lord Ashcroft's son has acquired a 3.4 per cent stake in Tottenham in the latest change at the north London club.

London Stock Exchange posted a public filing on Monday showing that Andrew Ashcroft, son of former Conservative Party deputy chairman and billionaire donor Michael Ashcroft, purchased 8,023,942 Tottenham shares last Friday. The price, at this point, has not been disclosed but based on recent valuations the shares are expected to have cost around £100million.

Michael Ashcroft - who was appointed as a life peer and given the title Lord Ashcroft in 2000 - is a longstanding Tottenham shareholder who at one stage owned around 4 per cent of the club. Again, it's unclear whether Ashcroft has sold his existing shares to his son, Andrew, or even if the family have almost doubled their stake by purchasing from minority shareholders, who owned 13.42 per cent of Spurs between them.

Tottenham's majority shareholder ENIC has not sold any of its shares and is adamant the club is not for sale, despite Daniel Levy's departure earlier this month. Spurs confirmed on September 4 that Levy has stepped down from his role as Executive Chairman after 25 years in the role.

In a statement at the time, Levy said: "I am incredibly proud of the work I have done together with the executive team and all our employees. We have built this club into a global heavyweight competing at the highest level.

"More than that, we have built a community. I was lucky enough to work with some of the greatest people in this sport, from the team at Lilywhite House and Hotspur Way to all the players and managers over the years.

"I wish to thank all the fans that have supported me over the years. It hasn’t always been an easy journey but significant progress has been made. I will continue to support this club passionately."

Levy has since been replaced by Peter Charrington, a long-time adviser of the Lewis family who own ENIC, as non-executive chairman. Earlier in the summer, Vinai Venkatesham was hired as Chief Executive Officer (CEO), while Thomas Frank arrived as the club's new men's head coach and Martin Ho signed in as women's head coach in a series of sweeping changes across Tottenham ahead of the new season.

After Levy's exit, Tottenham then announced that they had rejected two preliminary expressions of interest in buying the club from Amanda Staveley's PCP Capital Partners and an American/Chinese consortium led by Roger Kennedy and Firehawk Holdings Limited. Due to takeover panel rules, Spurs must remain under the official offer period until October 5, when PCP can make a final formal offer to the club.

Tottenham have been told that they have three months to agree a sensational return for Harry Kane after a secret contract clause was revealed. The England captain left North London in the summer of 2023 as he chose to join Bayern Munich.

The move came after a sensational period at the club in which Kane scored a record 280 goals for Spurs. He has continued that stunning form in Bavaria, with 98 goals in just 103 appearances - a record that includes 13 goals in just seven outings this season.

And it now appears that a return to the Premier League could potentially be on the cards. According to German outlet Bild, Kane has a €65million (£56.7m) release clause written into his contract at the Allianz Arena.

That can only be activated this summer - but there is one stipulation. Kane reportedly has to make club chiefs aware of his intention to leave during the winter transfer window.

Whether Kane intends to do that remains to be seen. Previous reports have suggested that the 33-year-old is happy with life in Germany and is not yet considering a move.

Asked about the next stage of his career earlier this year, Kane said: "I'm not sure. I've said throughout my whole career, I'm not someone who likes to think too far ahead.

“I'm extremely happy here. I think we have a fantastic team, fantastic coaching staff and I just feel like whilst I feel like I'm in the best condition, I wanna play at the highest level possible, and this is as high as it gets,

"So I know a lot can change in football in a short space of time and things can happen, but ultimately my focus is here. I'm not thinking about any other league or any other team. And with football, I like to just go the flow and at the moment the flow is here at Bayern Munich."

Meanwhile, Spurs boss Thomas Frank has already spoken out on a potential move for Kane. While he would love to have the striker at his disposal, he is not optimistic of his chances any time soon.

He said: “There's a lot of Tottenham fans including myself who would like to see Kane back. He's a top player.

“Personally, I don't think he will do it right now, if I'm honest, he'll probably stay in Bayern and continue performing well. He was top-scorer last year and won the championship, he's doing fantastic now.

“Top player. I don't know what he's thinking. Myself, I'm a traveller, I like to travel, I like to explore things as well.

“He's been here for many years so why not enjoy the time at Bayern a little bit more. But he's welcome. If he wants to join us, he's more than welcome.”

Thomas Frank will have to tread that fine line between naming a strong Tottenham team to face League One side Doncaster Rovers in the Carabao Cup while also needing rest various players.

Spurs finished an unbeaten first week after the international break with victories against West Ham United and Villarreal and a comeback draw at Brighton and a number of players took part in all three games across those seven days. With the visit of Wolves on Saturday evening in the Premier League, Frank will likely have to shuffle his pack to face Rovers, who sit seventh in League One, and feature on-loan Tottenham youngster Damola Ajayi.

Frank told football.london on Monday that goalkeeper Antonin Kinksy will start between the sticks in the third round tie but also confirmed that Randal Kolo Muani and Ben Davies remain out with a dead leg and twisted knee respectively.

Frank had previously ruled out Dominic Solanke but the striker did return to training with the squad on Tuesday following his ankle injury, alongside summer arrival Kota Takai, who is yet to appear in a matchday squad following a plantar fascia problem in his foot. That means one of them could potentially be a surprise addition to the bench.

That also goes for Radu Dragusin, who has been training with the squad for a couple of weeks now following his return from a cruciate ligament injury suffered in January. Frank will have to decide when it is the right time for the Croatian centre-back to step up to match action.

In the mean time that leaves the Tottenham boss without many centre-back to rotate with, which means either one of Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven starts with Kevin Danso with them potentially playing a half each, or teenager Archie Gray plays in central defence alongside the Austria international.

There are also likely to be starts for Xavi Simons, Djed Spence, Pape Matar Sarr, Brennan Johnson and Mathys Tel after being named among the substitutes at the Amex Stadium on Saturday.

Sixteen-year-olds Jun'ai Byfield and Luca Williams-Barnett have been training with the first team and were not used in the U21s' defeat at Plymouth in the Vertu Trophy, with Frank admitting this match presented an opportunity to give youngsters a chance from the bench.

Here's the Tottenham team we reckon the Dane might select to face the Football League side.