Mikey Moore delivered a double in Tottenham Hotspur's 3-0 triumph over Hoffenheim at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, securing a comfortable win in the final pre‑season friendly. The 19‑year‑old striker found the net twice in the second half, both times after clever service from Mathys Tel, while Richarlison opened the scoring in the first half by converting a precise cross from new signing Andy Robertson. The match also marked the home debuts of four recent arrivals – Robertson, Sandro Tonali, Jan Paul van Hecke and Marcos Senesi – all of whom featured prominently as the Spurs side continued its unbeaten pre‑season run.
Despite the positive result, the lineup was missing several key figures, notably Micky van de Ven, James Maddison and Mateus Fernandes, who were absent due to fitness concerns and minor injuries. Supporters will be eager to see whether these missing players can be reintegrated for the final pre‑season encounter, a closed‑door fixture scheduled for Sunday at the club's training ground, where Spurs will face Hoffenheim once again. Looking ahead, Roberto De Zerbi’s men will launch their Premier League campaign against Brentford next Saturday, a match that will be broadcast live on Sky Sports.
Fans with a Sky subscription can stream the game via the Sky Sports app, while those without a subscription are offered a flexible, contract‑free viewing option. In a detailed analysis, Sky Sports broke down the performance, noting that two players who had been linked with departures still made significant contributions. Moore, who was on the verge of a loan move to Bundesliga side Cologne, postponed that deal after his two‑goal display, leaving De Zerbi with a promising young talent to consider for the upcoming season. His first goal was met with a modest celebration – a quick tap after Tel’s cross – while his second saw a more exuberant reaction as he expertly finished another Tel pass.
The future of the academy graduate remains uncertain, as the club weighs options for his development. Meanwhile, midfielder Lucas Bergvall, who attracted interest from Newcastle United and Nottingham Forest earlier in the summer, appears poised to stay at Tottenham. De Zerbi has publicly affirmed his desire to retain Bergvall, addressing the player’s concerns about limited playing time during the pre‑season. The Swedish international has featured regularly in the friendlies, and his performance at the stadium on Saturday should have reassured the coaching staff.
Andy Robertson, who left Liverpool in search of more regular minutes, has already justified his move. The Scotland international dominated the left flank, delivering a series of accurate crosses, including the one that set up Richarlison’s opening goal.
His arrival was hailed as a boost to the dressing‑room culture, bringing a wealth of experience from his trophy‑laden Liverpool days, and his on‑field impact against Hoffenheim confirmed his quality. With fellow left‑back Destiny Udogie still yet to make a pre‑season appearance due to fitness worries, Robertson has seized the opportunity to cement his place.
At 32, the former Liverpool defender appears ready to start the Premier League season against Brentford, potentially making it difficult for the younger Udogie to displace him. Goalkeeper Antonín Kinský also enjoyed a standout performance, keeping a clean sheet with several crucial saves. His handling of crosses and composure with the ball at his feet highlighted why he is being positioned as De Zerbi’s first‑choice keeper. This marks a remarkable turnaround for the 23‑year‑old, who struggled in a high‑profile match in Madrid seven months earlier.
His resurgence has seen him supplant Guglielmo Vicario, who was omitted from the squad as Juventus reportedly eye a move for the Italian international. The pre‑season schedule leading up to the Hoffenheim fixture was packed: a 1‑0 win over MK Dons on July 22 at the training ground, a 2‑0 victory against Auckland FC on July 26, a 1‑1 draw with Sydney FC on July 29 (winning 4‑2 on penalties), a 2‑1 triumph over Chelsea in Sydney on August 1, and a 1‑1 stalemate with Getafe on August 8 behind closed doors. The August 15 clash against Hoffenheim delivered the most decisive result, while a second, behind‑closed‑doors match is set for August 16 at 12 pm. Overall, the win not only provided a morale boost but also offered De Zerbi valuable insights into his squad’s depth and tactical options ahead of the Premier League season.
The performances of Moore, Robertson, Kinský and the new signings suggest that Tottenham have a solid foundation to build upon, even as they continue to monitor the fitness and availability of other key players before the competitive campaign begins.