Tottenham Hotspur opened their pre‑season schedule on a high note, edging out newly promoted League One outfit MK Dons 1‑0 at the club's own Hotspur Way training complex. The decisive moment arrived early, when fresh acquisition Mateus Fernandes produced a spectacular volley that left the home crowd buzzing.
Fernandes, who arrived from West Ham for a reported £85 million, was one of three summer signings who featured in Roberto De Zerbi's 21‑man rotation throughout the 90 minutes. Sky Sports broke down the match, highlighting the significance of the goal.
"It was my favourite goal of my career by a mile," Fernandes declared after the strike, which came just three minutes after his debut for the club. The Portuguese midfielder timed a high ball cleared from a corner perfectly, meeting it with a first‑time, thunderous volley from the edge of the box that sailed past the MK Dons keeper and settled into the net.
The strike not only gave Spurs the lead but also served as a perfect introduction for a player expected to become a central figure in De Zerbi's plans. Fernandes' performance lasted 45 minutes before he was substituted as part of a wholesale half‑time reshuffle. He partnered the club‑record £100 million signing Sandro Tonali in a double‑pivot that effectively dominated the midfield battle.
While Tonali provided the steel and defensive discipline, Fernandes added flair and a willingness to push forward passes, a quality that was noticeably lacking in Tottenham's creative output last season. Their combined presence allowed De Zerbi's side to control possession and dictate the tempo of the game. When the pair were withdrawn at the break, Tottenham's grip on the match loosened, underscoring the impact of the new midfield duo.
Tonali, however, also made his mark before leaving the field, notably thwarting a promising MK Dons counter‑attack and forcing a free‑kick that relieved pressure on the Spurs back line. In goal, veteran Martin Dubravka was introduced at half‑time and proved his worth despite being 37 years old. He showcased sharp reflexes, notably denying a close‑range header from the Dons in the dying minutes.
Dubravka's performance suggests he could be a valuable free‑transfer addition, providing reliable backup to the newly signed first‑choice keeper Antonin Kinsky, who started the match and displayed confidence with the ball at his feet. The presence of both keepers casts doubt over the future of Juventus‑linked Guglielmo Vicario, who was omitted from the 35‑man squad for the upcoming tour of New Zealand and Australia after sustaining a minor training knock.
The squad list for the fixture read like a who's‑who of De Zerbi's summer overhaul, featuring names such as Damola Ajayi, Brandon Austin, Lucas Bergvall, Harry Byrne, Kevin Danso, Ben Davies, Jamie Donley, Conor Gallagher, Archie Gray, Tye Hall, Tyrese Hall, Malachi Hardy, 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, Destiny Udogie, Micky van de Ven, Jan Paul van Hecke, Luca Williams‑Barnett and Min‑Hyeok Yang, among others. Several senior internationals were absent, including Mohammed Kudus, Dejan Kulusevski, Xavi Simons and Wilson Odobert, all still on the road to full recovery. Rodrigo Bentancur and Pape Sarr were granted extended leave after the World Cup, while Pedro Porro, Marcos Senesi, Cristian Romero and Djed Spence also stayed behind due to their deep runs in the tournament. Their absence opened the door for younger players to showcase their abilities.
Among the youngsters, 18‑year‑old Mikey Moore, fresh from a loan spell at Rangers, caught the eye on the left flank, eager to earn a place in De Zerbi's plans for the season ahead. Rio Kyerematen, a 21‑year‑old midfielder, was the only player to feature for the full 90 minutes, demonstrating versatility by covering left‑back in the first half and right‑back in the second. However, it was 17‑year‑old Luca Williams‑Barnett who truly shone.
Deployed in a deeper midfield role, the attacking midfielder displayed confidence, composure and an eye for incisive passing. His pinpoint through‑ball to Min‑Hyeok Yang set up a clear‑cut chance, although Yang failed to finish despite a superb touch that rounded the goalkeeper.
Williams‑Barnett's performance, though limited to a 45‑minute cameo, suggested he could force his way into the senior squad. After a summer that saw academy graduates Will Lankshear, Tynan Thompson and Alfie Devine depart for a combined £34 million, the emergence of home‑grown talent like Williams‑Barnett, Moore and Kyerematen offers a promising glimpse of the next generation. Looking ahead, Tottenham will travel to the Southern Hemisphere for a series of friendlies. The squad will face Auckland FC at 4 a.m.
UK time on Sunday, followed by matches against Sydney FC and Chelsea in early August, before returning for fixtures against Getafe, Hoffenheim and a second Hoffenheim clash behind closed doors. The tour provides a platform for the new signings, fringe players and academy prospects to cement their roles and build chemistry ahead of the Premier League campaign.
Overall, the 1‑0 win against MK Dons served as a fitting curtain‑raiser for a pre‑season packed with optimism, fresh talent and a clear statement that Tottenham are eager to blend high‑profile acquisitions with home‑grown promise under De Zerbi's stewardship.