Tottenham Hotspur

Luca Williams-Barnett has been assigned his Legacy Number after making his debut in our 3-0 win against Doncaster Rovers in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday evening.

The First Year Academy scholar, just 16, came off the bench for Mathys Tel in the 87th minute to rapturous applause around Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Lucas showed a glimpse of what he's all about almost immediately as he released Destiny Udogie, whose cross was flicked on by Brennan Johnson for Lucas Bergvall to score - unfortunately, the offside flag was up.

With our Academy since the Under-10s age group, Luca actually appeared on the bench three times during our UEFA Europa League run last term against Galatasaray, AS Roma and Rangers.

He's been in flying form this season with six goals in six appearances in the PL2 - including a hat-trick last time out against Leicester City - Virtu Trophy and UEFA Youth League, where he netted in our opener against Villarreal. He's also scored goals on the international stage of late - on target for England Under-18s against Uzbekistan and Canada earlier this month.

Watch | Luca's hat-trick against Leicester

Legacy Numbers | The story...

Launched in October, 2023, our Legacy Numbers initiative has seen every player in our history since our first recorded senior competitive game – an FA Cup tie with West Herts on 13 October, 1894 – assigned their own unique number, denoting their place in the history of Tottenham Hotspur.

Following extensive research from Club historians, 900 Legacy Numbers have now been assigned. Allocated to a player following their maiden appearance for the Club, numbers 1-11 were assigned alphabetically to the players who made up our first starting XI 129 years ago in that FA Cup tie with West Herts.

Thomas Frank has explained why Pape Matar Sarr wasn't involved in the matchday squad as we toppled Doncaster Rovers 3-0 in the third round of the Carabao Cup on Wednesday night.

Goals from Joao Palhinha, an own goal from Wilson Odobert's fine assist and Brennan Johnson's third with the last kick of the game saw us home against the League One side to set up a fourth round clash against Newcastle United at St James' Park, week commencing 27 October.

However, midfielder Pape was one of a number of players to sit it out - although there was good news in that he could yet return to face Wolves in the Premier League back in N17 on Saturday (8pm UK).

Thomas was asked about Pape's absence against Rovers in his post-match press conference. "It was a minor precaution," he said. "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."

Thomas Frank spoke to the media at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium after our 3-0 win against Doncaster Rovers in the third round of the Carabao Cup on Wednesday night.

Here's what he had to say...

Q1: What did you make of the performance?

Thomas: "First and foremost, happy with the win, happy with the clean sheet, 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- we could have scored more goals in the first half actually, 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."

What did you make of Joao Palhinha's performance at centre-back?

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

Why wasn't Pape Matar Sarr involved?

Thomas: "It was 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 build up his confidence?

Thomas: "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. He worked very hard 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, 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."

What about Archie Gray in midfield?

Thomas: "I think we saw his running power, very willing to run in behind, very good when he has that drive with the ball and he can get up the pitch. I think it was a fine performance."

What are the qualities that Mathys Tel brings to the team?

Thomas: "You can see his ability to arrive in the box, his pace to run in behind and get into the right areas. His pressing is very good. I like the way he works. His link up play is good, but could also be better."

What did you make of Luca Williams-Barnett on his debut?

Thomas: "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."

Is Archie Gray's position in midfield going forward?

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

Luca is 16 - it feels like football is getting younger - is that how it seems to you?

Thomas: "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. The talents coming through are younger and younger. 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 Mathys, does he just need a lucky goal?

"Yeah, I think that's fair to say. Of course, he really wanted to score and do well. Unfortunately, as a striker, that's what 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's quiz time! Can you name the last 50 players to make their debuts for us?

On Wednesday night, as we defeated Doncaster Rovers 3-0 to progress to the fourth round of the Carabao Cup, Academy graduate Luca Williams-Barnett stepped off the bench to become the 900th player to represent us in a competitive game

Our challenge for you today is for you to name the last 50 players to make their debut for the Club (all competitions).

To take on the challenge, click the green 'Play Quiz' button below to get started before inputting your answers in the box titled 'enter players'.

You will have 15 minutes to name as many of the 50 players as you can. To help, the opponent the player made their debut against as well as the date of that first appearance are listed next to their relevant answer box.

It's quiz time! Can you name every team to have faced us in a competitive game at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium?

In facing Doncaster Rovers on Wednesday night, Donny became the 55th different side to face us in a competitive fixture since we moved to our world class home in April, 2019.

So can you name all 55 different teams to have visited Tottenham Hotspur Stadium for a competitive game to date?

To take on the challenge, click the green 'Play Quiz' button below to get started before inputting your answers in the box titled 'enter team'.

You will have 15 minutes to name as many of the 55 teams as you can. To help, the nation the team are from is listed next to their relevant answer box.

Martin Ho was pleased to see the reaction from his players after last week’s defeat to Manchester City to earn two points in our opening game of the Subway Women’s League Cup after we edged Aston Villa 7-6 on penalties following a goalless draw in normal time.

There wasn’t too much action to write home about in the 90 minutes at Brisbane Road, with the notable highlight coming seven minutes from time when Noelle Maritz was shown a straight red for a strong challenge on Olivia Holdt to leave the visitors with 10 players in the closing stages.

However, we were unable to capitalise as it finished 1-1 and, while we still earned a point to kick start our journey in Group E, we faced a penalty shootout to earn an extra point on the evening.

Goalkeeper Lize Kop produced the heroics in the shootout as, after 13 spot-kicks and into sudden death, our shot stopper denied Georgia Mullet to help us win 7-6 on penalties.

“I thought it was quite a scrappy game from start to finish,” Martin told us, speaking to SPURSPLAY after the game. “In the first half, we created some good moments but maybe lacked a cutting edge in the final third.

“In the second half, we got into some good positions, but the final ball or action was a little off. When we got it right, we found good shooting and crossing positions. We just need to make that more consistent.”

“Clean sheets are important - they give you confidence. But we still need to defend the goal better because they had some big moments. Our pressure also needs to be a bit more aggressive and consistent. This performance was the response we expected. The players would’ve felt the City defeat, and hopefully tonight has taken that out of their system so we can now move on to Leicester City”

Asked about the penalty shootout and Lize’s heroics, he added: “Penalties are the cruellest way of deciding games. I don’t envy anyone in those situations - I don’t even enjoy watching them!

“But the players who stepped up showed real courage and personality. It’s a pressured moment, and I’m proud of them. Lize made two brilliant saves and even scored a penalty herself - she’s effectively won us the game.”

We have been drawn away to Newcastle United in the fourth round of this season’s Carabao Cup.

The draw took place after this evening’s third-round ties, where we comfortably saw off Doncaster Rovers 3-0 at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium while the Magpies won 4-1 at home to Bradford City.

Our last outing at St James’ Park in this competition saw us register a 2-1 victory back in September, 2008.

Fourth round ties will be played during the week commencing 27 October, with an exact date and further details to be confirmed in due course.

Carabao Cup fourth round draw in full

Arsenal v Brighton & Hove Albion

Grimsby Town v Brentford

Swansea City v Manchester City

Newcastle United v Tottenham Hotspur

Wrexham v Cardiff City

Liverpool v Crystal Palace

Wolverhampton Wanderers v Chelsea

Wycombe Wanderers v Fulham

The Club is disgusted by the racist abuse received by Jessica Naz via social media.

Jess has spoken out against this disgraceful behaviour – and we stand by her in calling out this unacceptable and cowardly act.

We are working with the appropriate authorities and social media platforms to identify the responsible party, and we will be taking the strongest action against them.

There is no place for racism in our sport or anywhere in society.

We stand with Jess.

Our Carabao Cup campaign got off to a winning start as we convincingly beat Doncaster Rovers on Wednesday night.

Fielding a much-changed yet still a strong side against our League One opponents, two goals in quick succession in the first half laid the foundations for the win. Joao Palhinha opened the scoring in the 14th minute before Jay McGrath put through his own net shortly after to leave us well in command of the third round tie.

Rovers goalkeeper Ian Lawlor made a number of good saves to prevent us extending our lead, while Antonin Kinsky – making his first appearance this season – pulled off a wonderful diving save to deny Owen Bailey with the visitors’ best chance of the match. We wrapped up the tie with the last kick of the game, Brennan Johnson streaking clear to confidently score past Lawlor.

A key moment arrived late in the game when Academy graduate Luca Williams-Barnett, aged just 16 years and 358 days, made his senior debut and took the milestone Legacy Number 900, a fine reward for his excellent displays for our Under-21s this season.

Thomas Frank made seven changes from the draw at Brighton at the weekend with only Pedro Porro, Rodrigo Bentancur, Palhinha and Wilson Odobert retaining their places in the side. Porro captained the team for the first time. Academy winger Tynan Thompson, 17, made his first appearance in a competitive first team matchday squad, joining fellow youngsters Jun'ai Byfield and Williams-Barnett among our substitutes. Another Academy youngster, Damola Ajayi – on loan at Doncaster – was in the Rovers side.

It was a lively start at both ends of the pitch as we had to make two important blocks in the opening minute to prevent Kinsky being troubled before a big chance at the other end, Johnson’s low cross missed by a defender but Mathys Tel couldn’t sort his feet out and failed to get a touch six yards out. We didn’t have to wait long for the opener though, 14 minutes gone when Lawlor could only get a glancing glove on Xavi Simons’ corner, Sean Grehan headed the ball off the line but only as far as Palhinha, who produced an overhead finish into an empty net from 10 yards. That lead was doubled three minutes later after great wing play from Odobert, who skipped past his man and whipped in a cross which flew off McGrath and into his own net.

Lawlor made a smart save from Tel’s angled rocket on 27 minutes and, from the corner, Bentancur’s header was flicked away off the line as we continued to create chances, with Lawlor denying us again with a diving save to keep out Archie Gray’s effort following Kevin Danso’s knockdown. The visitors went close on 39 minutes, Glenn Middleton with a cross into the box which skipper and this season’s top scorer Bailey met with a fine volley, only for Kinsky to pull off a magnificent diving save to his right to tip the ball onto the post and we cleared the danger.

The half drew to a close with a succession of Spurs corners, most of which were sent out to Pedro Porro on the edge of the box to fire in a series of right-footed shots, the best of them needing a good stop from Lawlor.

There was less intensity to the game in the opening stages of the second period as we controlled the tempo and there were few chances until the 68th minute when Johnson delivered a lovely cut-back but Tel was unable to make a clean connection on the ball. The visitors then had an opportunity with a free-kick 20 yards out, right side of the area, but Middleton curled his effort into the side-netting. Substitute Richarlison so nearly got on the end of an excellent run and cross from Johnson, only denied by an outstretched leg from the defender, before the introduction of Williams-Barnett to much acclaim from our supporters, the youngster showing some neat touches in his brief cameo.

Our place in round four was secured in the final seconds when Lucas Bergvall slipped the perfect pass for Johnson to run onto and he produced a composed finish to score his third of the season and wrap up a good night all round.

We picked up our first points in the Subway Women's League Cup on Wednesday night after we edged Aston Villa 7-6 on penalties following a 1-1 draw in normal time.

Kicking off action in Group E at Brisbane Road, there wasn’t too much action in the 90 minutes under the lights as both sides struggled to carve out many clear-cut opportunities, although Lize Kop and Ellie Roebuck both produced crucial saves at key moments to keep the game at 0-0 before Noelle Maritz saw red for the visitors with seven minutes remaining.

Finishing goalless in the 90 and with a point already in the bag, Kop then produced the heroics in the shootout as, after 13 spot-kicks, our shot stopper denied Georgia Mullet to take home the extra point and begin the group stage with two points in the table.

Martin Ho made three changes to the starting XI that faced Manchester City last time out - Josefine Rybrink, Matilda Vinberg and Maite Oroz coming in - as he looked for a response to the disappointing defeat but it was Kop who was called into action inside the opening minute under the lights, producing quick reactions to keep out Rachel Daly’s faint touch from Lynn Wilms' in-swinging cross to deny the veteran forward an early goal.

Earning her first start of the campaign, Vinberg was a lively outlet down the left, showcasing some lovely footwork in the early stages, while Oroz, also in from the start for the first time this season, tested Ellie Roebuck from 20 yards out with a half-volley. Georgia Mullet blasted over the bar from a tight angle before our best opportunity of the first period came on 36 minutes when Vinberg’s looping effort was tipped over the bar by Roebuck. We were indebted to Kop in the second minute of stoppage time in the first half as she got down low to push Missy Bo Kearn’s powerful strike from the edge of the box around the post to keep the scores level at the break.

We made a triple change at the break in search of the breakthrough and one of the substitutes, Lenna Gunning-Williams, went close as her sliced effort grazed the sidenetting. Chasity Grant and Olivia Holdt had shots from distance that really failed to test either goalkeeper in between the sticks before, on 73 minutes, Kop produced a fantastic save at full stretch to tip Jill Baijings’ left-footed strike over the bar to preserve the clean sheet.

Vinberg dragged an effort wide after some lovely one-touch football in the build-up saw Gunning-Williams race down the right before teeing up the Sweden international just inside the box. There was some late drama as, with seven minutes remaining on the clock, Maritz was dismissed following a heavy challenge on Olivia Holdt, but we failed to capitalise on the extra player in the closing stages as the game ended all square.

Competition rules state that drawn ties must go to a penalty shootout for an extra point in the group and, after Gunning-Williams’ spot-kick was saved by Roebuck, we were left an uphill battle early on. With the score at 4-4 to Villa, Miri Taylor needed to convert the final spot-kick to win the shootout but Kop denied the midfielder to take it to sudden death. Then, as Mullett stepped up to take the 14th spot-kick, our number one produced the heroics to keep out her effort and win us the shootout in the end.

Penalty shootout

Spurs - Gunning-Williams - Saved

Aston Villa - Mayling - Goal

Spurs - England - Goal

Aston Villa - Patten - Goal

Spurs - Nilden - Goal

Aston Villa - Baijings - Goal

Spurs - Vinberg - Goal

Aston Villa - Taylor - Saved

Spurs - Summanen - Goal

Aston Villa - Deslandes - Goal

Spurs - Spence - Goal

Aston Villa - Wilms - Goal

Spurs - Kop - Goal

Aston Villa - Kendall - Goal

Spurs - Koga - Goal

Aston Villa - Mullett - Saved