Tottenham 1-0 MK Dons: Spurs’ winning start to pre-season assessed as Mateus Fernandes hits screamer | Football News
Tottenham made a winning start to pre-season with a 1-0 victory over newly-promoted League One side MK Dons at Hotspur Way.
The win came courtesy of a stunning volleyed goal from new Spurs signing Mateus Fernandes.
He was one of three summer arrivals on display as Spurs boss Roberto De Zerbi used 21 players across the 90 minutes.
Here, Sky Sports assesses Spurs’ first pre-season friendly…
Fernandes shines
“It was my favourite goal of my career by a mile.”
Just three minutes into his first Spurs game, Fernandes made the dream start to life in north London.
The midfielder, who joined from West Ham for £85m, expertly kept his eye on a high ball cleared at a corner to superbly smash a first-time volleyed screamer from the edge of the box to give Spurs an early lead.
What a way to introduce yourself to Spurs fans, whose excitement levels will have increased watching his 45-minute display before he was taken off as part of De Zerbi’s wholesale half-time changes.
The Portugal international started alongside club-record £100m signing Sandro Tonali in a double pivot as Spurs’ new £185m midfield duo gave De Zerbi’s side complete control.
Fernandes’ willingness to play forward passes, which did not always come off, was a particular positive considering the lack of creativity last season.
Tonali and Dubravka make solid debuts
Fernandes may have outshone midfield partner Tonali, but the Italy international kept things ticking over in midfield nicely.
When he and Fernandes were replaced at half-time, Spurs lost their grip on the game.
There will be much more to come from Tonali, who provided the steel alongside Fernandes’ flair, including one incident where he got back to cynically stop an MK Dons counter-attack for a free-kick.
A third summer signing was introduced at half-time in goalkeeper Martin Dubravka – and he was excellent.
The 37-year-old defied his age with brilliant reflexes to keep out a late MK Dons close-range header.
Dubravka looks to be a fine piece of free-transfer business as an able deputy to the new number one, Antonin Kinsky, who started the game and looked assured with the ball at his feet.
Plenty of absentees in win
Kinsky’s promotion as first choice and Dubravka’s arrival has put Guglielmo Vicario’s future in serious doubt, and it was no surprise to see the Juventus and Napoli target missing against MK Dons.
His fellow Italy international, Destiny Udogie, was also absent, but Spurs’ first-choice left-back was part of a group of players watching the game.
Summer signings Andy Robertson and Jan Paul van Hecke were among those on the sidelines, with their debuts having to wait.
The pair have only recently returned from the World Cup, as have Micky van de Ven and Lucas Bergvall, who were also seen watching on along with James Maddison.
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Spurs boss Roberto De Zerbi has hinted the club could continue their summer spending spree
But with Sky Sports News understanding Bergvall wants to leave the club this summer, his pre-season game time will be one to watch amid interest from Nottingham Forest and Newcastle.
There was no sign of Mohammed Kudus, Dejan Kulusevski, Xavi Simons or Wilson Odobert as they continue their recoveries from injury.
Teenage kicks
With plenty of senior players missing, it gave the youngsters a chance to impress.
Mikey Moore, fresh from his loan spell at Rangers last season and “buzzing to be back”, caught the eye off the left and the 18-year-old will try to push his case in pre-season to be part of De Zerbi’s plans for the upcoming campaign.
Midfielder Rio Kyerematen was the only player to play the full 90 minutes as the 21-year-old, who is yet to make his first-team competitive debut, showed his versatility filling in at left-back for the first half and then at right-back for the second half.
But it was fellow teenager Luca Williams-Barnett who shone brightest of Spurs’ youth.
The attacking midfielder was deployed in a deeper role and showed tremendous confidence and fearlessness.
A notable highlight was the 17-year-old’s pinpoint pass over the top for Min-Hyeok Yang, who somehow missed an open-goal chance despite having produced a fantastic touch to round the goalkeeper.
Williams-Barnett’s only first-team appearance came last season, but on the evidence of this 45-minute display, he could well force himself into De Zerbi’s plans.
After a summer of academy sales following the exits of Will Lankshear, Tynan Thompson and Alfie Devine for £34m, it was encouraging to see some of Spurs’ products catch the eye.
Williams-Barnett, Moore and Kyerematen will be hoping to be given more chances on Spurs’ tour of Australia and New Zealand as the north London side next face Auckland FC at 4am UK time on Sunday.
Spurs’ pre-season schedule
July 22: Tottenham 1-0 MK Dons – Spurs training ground
Sunday: Tottenham vs Auckland FC – Auckland, 4am (UK time)
July 29: Tottenham vs Sydney FC – Sydney, 10.45am (UK time)
August 1: Tottenham vs Chelsea – Sydney, 10.45am (UK time)
August 8: Tottenham vs Getafe – Spurs training ground (behind closed doors), 3pm
August 15: Tottenham vs Hoffenheim – Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, 3pm
August 16: Tottenham vs Hoffenheim – Spurs training ground (behind closed doors), 12pm
