Savio made an instant impact on his first appearance for Tottenham, netting a goal and providing an assist as the North London side comfortably dispatched Charlton to secure a place in the third round of the Carabao Cup. The Brazilian forward, who completed an £85 million move from Manchester City on Tuesday, was brought on in the second half and needed only eleven minutes to register his inaugural goal for the club, adding further excitement to the buzz surrounding his arrival in London. Roberto De Zerbi opted for a strong line‑up against the Championship opposition, fielding several senior players after the Spurs’ disappointing 2‑1 loss to Brentford in their Premier League opener.
The decision paid off, as the team displayed a high tempo and clinical finishing throughout the match. The breakthrough came when young winger Mikey Moore finally pierced Charlton’s stubborn defence, slipping the ball through the outstretched hands of goalkeeper Tiernan Brooks to score his first goal for Tottenham. The lead was quickly doubled five minutes later when Dominic Solanke capitalised on a defensive lapse, calmly slotting home after the visitors failed to clear the ball from the edge of the box. Around the hour mark, De Zerbi introduced a number of high‑profile names, including Kevin Danso, who headed home from a Mateus Fernandes free‑kick with his very first touch.
However, the moment that truly captured the imagination of the Tottenham faithful arrived when Savio entered the fray in the 71st minute. Savio cut inside from the right flank and unleashed a precise low‑driven shot that found the bottom corner, giving Spurs their fourth goal.
Just three minutes later his effort ricocheted off veteran defender Ben Davies and looped into the net for a fifth, sealing a comprehensive victory. Charlton managed a consolation goal when Lloyd Jones headed in from a corner, but the late strike did little to dent Tottenham’s confidence as they cruised into the next round, where they will face Liverpool at Anfield.
Post‑match reactions highlighted the excitement surrounding Savio’s debut. Sky Sports analyst Jamie Redknapp praised the Brazilian, saying, "He lit the place up. This is what Tottenham want – a player who can get you off your seat, cut inside and unleash a ferocious left‑footed strike.
He was excellent." Jermaine Beckford added, "When players are full of confidence, especially attackers, they love to attack you. He’s no different. The confidence is there to be seen." Spurs striker Dominic Solanke echoed the sentiment: "He did great when he came on. He’s going to be a joy for all of us to watch.
I’m sure he will be a fan favourite. To get a goal and an assist on his debut is great." Callum Bishop, also from Sky Sports, reflected on the broader context: "A lot can happen in just one minute of football. Even more can happen in twenty. As we have just seen, that’s enough time to make yourself a cult hero.
Savio’s arrival was shrouded in question marks – why spend so much for a player who only managed three goal contributions in the Premier League last season? Yet, the moment he stepped onto the pitch in a white shirt, he was a livewire.
Spurs fans value entertainment, and they were on their feet every time he touched the ball. The fact there was tangible output alongside the excitement is even more important for a side that has often looked dull in attack. The opponents will get tougher, and Savio will need to rise to that.
However, for a first outing after joining barely 24 hours ago, you can’t ask for much more." Key moments from the match include: - 26′ – Charlton create a chance, crossing the ball and missing the opening goal. - 30′ – Tiernan Brooks makes a fingertip save to deny Charlton’s Gray. - 40′ – Mikey Moore opens the scoring, giving Spurs the lead. - 45′ – Dominic Solanke doubles the advantage with a smart finish.
- 67′ – Kevin Danso heads home on his first touch, extending the lead. - 71′ – Savio makes his Spurs debut, replacing Solanke. - 82′ – Savio scores his first goal for the club, fulfilling his dream debut. - 85′ – Savio is involved again as his shot deflects off Ben Davies for a fifth goal.
- 87′ – Lloyd Jones scores a consolation for Charlton from a corner. The win not only propels Tottenham into the next round of the Carabao Cup but also provides a tantalising glimpse of what Savio could bring to the squad in the months ahead.
With his blend of flair, finishing ability and immediate contribution, the Brazilian forward appears poised to become a central figure in De Zerbi’s attacking plans, offering both excitement and a tangible goal threat as Spurs look to improve on their early‑season league form.