Tottenham Hotspur

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

Thomas Frank has made seven changes from our 2-2 draw at Brighton in the Premier League last time out and has named a new captain for this evening.

For the first time in a Spurs shirt, Pedro Porro will lead the side out as he takes the armband with changes made to the side from back to the front which sees Antonin Kinsky start between the sticks for the first time competitively this season.

Our Academy presence amongst our substitutes means Tynan Thompson makes his first competitive matchday squad plus Jun'ai Byfield and Luca Williams-Barnett who would all debut if they were to feature.

Our full line-up is as follows...

Starting XI: Kinsky, Danso, Palhinha, Xavi, Tel, Gray, Johnson, Pedro Porro (c), Spence, Odobert, Bentancur.

Substitutes: Austin, Richarlison, Udogie, Bergvall, Van de Ven, Scarlett, Thompson, Byfield, Williams-Barnett.

We can confirm the starting line-ups and substitutes for our Subway Women’s League Cup clash with Aston Villa (kick-off 7pm, live on SPURSPLAY).

Martin has made three changes to his side that faced Manchester City last Friday in the Barclays Women’s Super League.

There’s a change at full-back with Josefine Rybrink coming in for Charlotte Grant, who begins on the bench.

In midfield, Maite Oroz makes her first start of the season, replacing Drew Spence who is named amongst the substitutes.

Finally, after making her first appearance in the clash against City, Matilda Vinberg has earned her place in the starting XI as she comes in for Bethany England. Eveliine Summanen will captain the side this evening.

Starting XI: Kop, Nilden, Naz, Oroz, Rybrink, Vinberg, Hunt, Tandberg, Ahtinen, Summanen (c), Koga.

Substitutes: Heeps, Grant, England, Holdt, Graham, Thomas, Gunning-Williams, Spence, Dennis.

If we get the better of Doncaster Rovers tonight, we'll earn a spot in the fourth round of the Carabao (EFL) Cup this evening - here's everything you need to know...

When is the draw?

The draw takes place live on Sky Sports following coverage of the third round tie between Port Vale and Arsenal. That game kicks-off at 8pm, so we're looking at around 10.20pm for the draw.

What number are we?

We'll be represented by ball number 16 in the draw.

Watch | last season's third round thriller at Coventry

How does the draw work?

The draw consists of 16 clubs all represented by a designated numbered ball. All placed in a pot, the balls will then be drawn one by one from the pot and paired to create a fourth round tie, with the first drawn the home side and the second the away.

When does the fourth round take place?

Fourth round ties are scheduled to be played in the week commencing 27th October.

What's our recent record in the fourth round?

How many times have we won the League Cup?

We've won it four times - 1971, 1973, 1999 and 2008.

Ball numbers for third round draw

We shall sport bespoke sleeve badges in this season's Carabao Cup campaign.

As the competition celebrates its 65th anniversary, all previous winners will wear commemorative sleeve patches to celebrate their previous successes in the League Cup.

As four-time winners of the competition, our badge will feature the number '4'.

Check out our bespoke sleeve badges below...

e.l.f. Cosmetics will feature on the back of our Men’s team shirts for this season’s Carabao Cup campaign as part of an expansion of its ground-breaking partnership with the Club.

Founded in 2004, e.l.f. became one of the first digital beauty brands, growing to become a disruptive force in the beauty industry and was earlier this month announced as Official Back of Shirt Partner of Tottenham Hotspur Women.

The partnership will now extend to include the Men’s team for the Carabao Cup – including tonight’s Third Round tie with Doncaster Rovers - to further a shared message around women’s empowerment and inclusion within the wider game of football.

e.l.f. Cosmetics is working with the Club on delivering unique activations, innovative content and community initiatives that are focused on leaving a lasting legacy of empowering females on and off the field.

Ryan Norys, Chief Revenue Officer, Tottenham Hotspur, said: “We have been delighted with the start to our partnership with e.l.f. as Official Back of Shirt Partner of Tottenham Hotspur Women and the response it has received from players and fans alike.

“The expansion of our partnership sends a powerful message that football is for everyone, with a brand renowned for its work around female empowerment now gaining visibility within the Men’s game, as well as the Women’s – building on the Club’s existing work in breaking down historic barriers for women in football and combatting misogyny.”

Hannah Roberts, Vice President Marketing, e.l.f. Beauty said: “This partnership moves beyond visibility; it’s about demonstrating that beauty and empowerment belong everywhere; on every pitch, with every player, and across every fan community. e.l.f. has always championed inclusivity, accessibility, and cultural impact, and tonight is another step in shaping norms, connecting communities, and inspiring confidence both on and off the field.”

Our Women’s Under-19s earned a bonus point in the Professional Game Academy League after a penalty shootout success over Crystal Palace on Wednesday afternoon following a 1-1 draw in normal time.

Eloise Summers-Mee got us off to the perfect start as, for the second week running in the competition, we opened the scoring after just four minuteswith the forward slotting home her first goal of the season after good work from Jhanaie Pierre. However, Palace fought back and found a leveller midway through the first period with Tella Ezeh finding the back of the net.

Despite an action-packed opening half-hour at Cray Wanderers, the game lacked quality from that point onwards and, while we dominated the play in the final quarter-of-an-hour, we were indebted to goalkeeper Erin Radbourne as, in the final minute of stoppage time, she produced a brilliant save to deny Rosie Rowe from the penalty spot and subsequent send the game into a shootout.

Having fallen short in the shootout with Southampton last week, we responded well to calmly slot all four of our spot-kicks away to win 4-2 on penalties and take home an extra point in the league.

More details to follow...

Tottenham Hotspur is the Club for animal-lovers and we use our platform to raise awareness of animal welfare and the importance of preserving nature.

For the 2025-26 season we are continuing to feature a 'Dog of the Match' at every home game at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Members of Tottenham Hotspaw – our first-ever Official Supporters’ Club for dog lovers – have been posting pictures of their beloved pets on the group’s Facebook page for a chance for them to be featured on the stadium big screens ahead of kick-off and in the matchday programme.

This evening’s 'Dog of the Match' is Lexi – a 4-year-old chocolate dapple miniature Dachshund. Lexi is a typical sausage dog who loves snoozing under a cosy blanket and barking at the TV when celebrating with mum Roseanna and her friends when Spurs score. Her favourite pastime though is wearing her Spurs scarf to the pub to cheer on the team!

Alongside our 'Dog of the Match', we also profile rescue dogs currently up for adoption with All Dogs Matter – the fantastic charity partner of Tottenham Hotspaw – giving fans the chance to provide a forever home so badly needed.

Today, we are featuring Benji, who came to the charity after sadly being found as a stray. Benji is an adorable little boy but is quite nervous and so will need an experienced owner who can take it slow and continue his training. He will also require a quiet home with direct access to a garden and where he will be the only dog.

"Doncaster Rovers have impressed back in League One this season, while a win at Championship side Middlesbrough has helped set up this third round tie at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium..."

Rob Daly, official club commentator, presenter and pundit

Donny's bright start...

Grant McCann guided Doncaster Rovers to the League Two title in 24/25 and began this campaign with an impressive eight wins from 10 in all competitions. However, they’ve just suffered back-to-back defeats, and the manager wasn’t happy after his side threw away a 1-0 lead to lose to Wimbledon on Saturday. “I think back to the game at Wigan last week (0-3) and then again in this one - the errors we’ve made for the goals are just not what we’ve been about for the last 18 months.” Playing out from the back undid them against Wimbledon for the winner, while they’ve conceded three times from crosses in their last two games - perhaps something Spurs can exploit with the improved set-piece expertise.

Rovers' run and rotation...

Despite those losses, Doncaster won 4-0 at Championship leaders Middlesbrough back in August, a huge upset, even after rotating their entire XI. Damola Ajayi, on loan from Spurs, scored in that game - while the winger started in the second round at Accrington too as one of 10 changes in a 2-0 win. Whether something similar happens tonight remains to be seen - there’s no doubt the club’s top players will want the chance to play at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Who to watch out for...

Spurs rotation...

During a busy month, this tie likely presents a chance for more thorough rotation from Thomas Frank, who told the media in Tuesday's pre-match press conference that goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky will make his first start of the campaign. However, Ben Davies and Randal Kolo Muani miss out with the knocks that ruled them out of Saturday's draw at Brighton. Kevin Danso played most of his minutes this season (102) during an excellent Super Cup performance, while Archie Gray (90), weekend starter Wilson Odobert (141) and forward Mathys Tel (109), ineligible in the Champions League, could all get the nod.

Number 7 in the 10 role...

As a second half substitute on Saturday, Xavi Simons lit up the game for Spurs playing centrally for the first time, working three attempts on goal in a 29-minute cameo. His drive to play a purposeful one-two with Richarlison, to nearly win a penalty, showed his quality against a compact defence too. "Xavi came in and did exactly what we thought he could do in that 10 position,” said Frank after, although he was keen to stress his versatility too. “I think he can easily play the left winger, that can go more inside... sometimes the playmakers, they drift to the side because there's no space in the middle."

Our Subway Women’s League Cup group phase begins on Wednesday evening - and you can watch the action live on SPURSPLAY!

Live from Brisbane Road, our opening game of the competition sees us take on fellow Barclays Women’s Super League side Aston Villa in a clash under the lights. Kick-off is 7pm (UK) and you can watch live on SPURSPLAY.

Martin Ho’s side will be looking for a response following Friday night’s defeat to Manchester City which saw our perfect start to the WSL campaign come to an end, earning six points from wins against West Ham United and Everton.

This will just be the second time we’ve faced the Villans in this competition as a sensational 40-yard stunner from Eveliina Summanen helped us to a 1-0 win at Brisbane Road last term.