Tottenham Hotspur kicked off their pre‑season campaign on a high note, edging out newly promoted League One side MK Dons 1‑0 at the club's own training ground, Hotspur Way. The decisive moment came early when recent acquisition Mateus Fernandes produced a spectacular volley that left the home crowd buzzing. Fernandes, who arrived from West Ham United for a reported £85 million, was one of three summer signings to feature prominently as manager Roberto De Zerbi rotated a total of 21 players over the full 90 minutes. The opening goal arrived just three minutes after Fernandes made his Spurs debut.
A high ball was cleared from a corner, and the Portuguese midfielder, positioned on the edge of the penalty area, struck a first‑time volley that rocketed into the top corner. He later described the strike as "the favourite goal of my career by a mile," a sentiment echoed by the fans who witnessed his instant impact. After 45 minutes of energetic play, De Zerbi made wholesale changes at half‑time, substituting Fernandes along with his midfield partner Sandro Tonali, the club‑record £100 million signing from Italy.
The double‑pivot of Fernandes and Tonali, together worth roughly £185 million, gave Spurs a commanding presence in the middle of the park, allowing them to dominate possession and dictate the tempo. While Fernandes stole the headlines with his goal, Tonali provided a steady, steel‑like foundation. The Italian’s disciplined positioning and occasional defensive interventions, such as a timely foul that halted an MK Dons counter‑attack, helped keep the game under control. When both were withdrawn at the break, Tottenham’s grip on the match loosened, underscoring how influential the new midfield duo had been.
Goalkeeping duties were also a talking point. Martin Dubravka, the 37‑year‑old veteran who arrived on a free transfer, was introduced at half‑time and immediately proved his worth with a series of sharp reflex saves, including a crucial denial of a close‑range header in the dying minutes.
His performance suggested he could serve as a reliable deputy to the newly signed first‑choice keeper Antonin Kinský, who started the match and displayed confidence with the ball at his feet. The presence of both Dubravka and Kinský has cast serious doubt over the future of Juventus‑bound goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario, who was omitted from the squad for the upcoming tour of New Zealand and Australia after sustaining a minor knock in training. The squad list for the friendly was extensive, featuring a blend of established internationals and promising youngsters: Damola Ajayi, Brandon Austin, Lucas Bergvall, Harry Byrne, Kevin Danso, Ben Davies, Jamie Donley, Mateus Fernandes, Conor Gallagher, Archie Gray, Tye Hall, Tyrese Hall, Malachi Hardy, Antonin Kinský, Rio Kyerematen, James Maddison, Mason Melia, Mikey Moore, Richarlison, Andy Robertson, Reiss Russell‑Denny, Dane Scarlett, Dominic Solanke, Manor Solomon, Kota Takai, Mathys Tel, Dylan Thompson, Tyler Tingey, Sandro Tonali, Destiny Udogie, Micky van de Ven, Jan Paul van Hecke, Luca Williams‑Barnett and Min‑Hyeok Yang among others. Several high‑profile names were absent.
Mohammed Kudus, Dejan Kulusevski, Xavi Simons and Wilson Odobert remained sidelined as they continue to recover from injuries, and they will not travel to Australasia. Likewise, Rodrigo Bentancur and Pape Sarr were granted extended leave following the World Cup, while Pedro Porro, Marcos Senesi, Cristian Romero and Djed Spence stayed behind after their deep runs in the tournament. Their absences opened the door for younger players to showcase their abilities.
One such youngster was Mikey Moore, who returned from a loan spell at Rangers with a palpable hunger to prove himself. The 18‑year‑old impressed on the left side of the pitch, delivering energetic runs and solid defensive work that could earn him a place in De Zerbi’s plans for the forthcoming season. Rio Kyerematen, another 21‑year‑old, earned the distinction of playing the full 90 minutes.
He switched from left‑back in the first half to right‑back after the interval, demonstrating versatility that coaches value highly. However, the standout among the academy graduates was 17‑year‑old Luca Williams‑Barnett. Deployed in a deeper midfield role, the teenage attacking midfielder exhibited confidence beyond his years, threading precise passes and showing a fearless approach to the game. A highlight of his performance was a perfectly weighted through‑ball to Min‑Hyeok Yang, who, despite a superb first touch, unfortunately missed an open‑goal opportunity.
Williams‑Barnett’s 45‑minute cameo, his only first‑team appearance last season, suggested he could soon become a regular feature under De Zerbi. The friendly also marked a transitional period for the club’s academy, which had recently seen the departures of promising talents Will Lankshear, Tynan Thompson and Alfie Devine for a combined £34 million. The emergence of players like Williams‑Barnett, Moore and Kyerematen offers reassurance that the pipeline remains productive.
Looking ahead, Tottenham will embark on a pre‑season tour of New Zealand and Australia. Their next fixture is against Auckland FC at 4 a.m.
UK time on Sunday, followed by matches against Sydney FC, Chelsea, Getafe, and two games versus Hoffenheim. These contests will provide further opportunities for the new signings, the returning World Cup veterans, and the academy prospects to stake their claim for regular first‑team action. In summary, the 1‑0 win over MK Dons served as a perfect introduction for Mateus Fernandes, highlighted the immediate impact of Sandro Tonali, showcased the reliability of veteran goalkeeper Martin Dubravka, and gave a platform for several promising youngsters to shine.
With the squad now gearing up for a demanding overseas itinerary, the blend of experience and youth will be crucial as Tottenham aims to build momentum ahead of the new Premier League season.