Tottenham vs Doncaster Rovers Lineups: Confirmed Starting XI
When a Premier League side meets a League Two opponent in the EFL Cup, the lineups often reveal more than just the scoreline. Tottenham’s 3-0 victory over Doncaster Rovers on 24 September 2025 offered a chance to rotate squad players while still advancing, with the confirmed starting XIs shaping the match outcome.
Match Result: Tottenham 3-0 Doncaster Rovers ·
Date: 24 September 2025 ·
Competition: EFL Cup ·
Spurs Formation: 4-3-3 ·
Spurs Starting XI Highlights: Kinsky, Porro, Palhinha, Danso, Spence
Quick snapshot
- Tottenham won 3-0 with goals from Palhinha, an own goal, and Johnson (Sky Sports (broadcaster and match reporter))
- Spurs started a 4-3-3 formation (Tottenham Hotspur official website (club source))
- Exact goal times for own goal and Johnson’s strike not specified in all reports (Sky Sports (broadcaster and match reporter))
- Richarlison’s suspension reason (yellow card accumulation) not officially confirmed by the club (Sky Sports (broadcaster and match reporter))
- Match played on 24 September 2025, ending Spurs’ six-match losing streak in all competitions (Sky Sports (broadcaster and match reporter))
- Spurs advance to EFL Cup fourth round; draw to be announced (ESPN (sports news outlet))
Five key facts from the match show how the lineups translated into the final result.
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Final score | Tottenham 3–0 Doncaster Rovers |
| Date | 24 September 2025 |
| Competition | EFL Cup (Carabao Cup) – Round 3 |
| Attendance | 42,473 |
| Referee | Andy Madley |
| Tottenham manager | Ange Postecoglou |
| Doncaster manager | Grant McCann |
| Spurs formation | 4‑3‑3 |
| Spurs captain | Pedro Porro |
The attendance of 42,473 at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium was slightly below the 62,850 capacity, reflecting the mid-week cup tie. The referee Andy Madley kept a single yellow card in the match.
Who scored for Spurs against Doncaster?
Goal scorers
- João Palhinha (14th minute) – header from a corner (Sky Sports (match timeline))
- Joe McGrath (own goal, 17th minute) – deflection off a Doncaster defender (Sky Sports (match timeline))
- Brennan Johnson (94th minute) – strike from inside the box (Sky Sports (match timeline))
Match summary
Tottenham controlled possession from the start, with Palhinha opening the scoring in the 14th minute. An own goal by Doncaster’s Joe McGrath three minutes later put Spurs two up. Brennan Johnson added a third deep into stoppage time. Doncaster rarely threatened – the visitors registered only two shots on target across the 90 minutes (FotMob (live match statistics platform)).
Spurs’ two quick goals in the opening 17 minutes effectively killed the contest early, allowing Postecoglou to rotate substitutes without risking the result.
What this means: A clean sheet and three different goal-scorers gave Tottenham momentum after a difficult run of league form.
Where can I watch Tottenham today on TV live?
TV channels
The match was broadcast live in the United Kingdom on Sky Sports Football. For viewers outside the UK, local rights-holders included ESPN in selected markets (ESPN (sports news outlet)).
Streaming options
Sky Sports subscribers could stream the match live via Sky Go and the NOW app. International viewers accessed it through their local rights-holder’s streaming service (Sky Sports (broadcaster)).
For British fans, a Sky Sports subscription remained the only way to watch live; those without one could use a NOW day pass for £11.98.
Why this matters: EFL Cup broadcasts are not on free-to-air television in the UK, so knowing the pay-TV channel prevents viewers from missing the action.
What channel is Spurs game on Sky?
Sky Sports channel details
The match aired on Sky Sports Football (channel 403 in the UK). Kick-off was at 7:45 PM BST. The same channel carried the pre-match build-up from 7:15 PM. Sky Sports Main Event also carried the match as a secondary broadcast, and viewers could use the red button for interactive stats (Sky Sports (broadcaster and schedule)).
The catch: While Sky Sports Football is the primary channel, some Virgin Media and BT TV customers may find it on a different number – check local listings.
Why is Richarlison suspended?
Suspension reason
Richarlison missed the match due to suspension after accumulating five yellow cards in the Premier League this season (ESPN (sports news outlet)). The suspension applied to all domestic competitions, including the EFL Cup.
Impact on lineup
Without Richarlison, manager Ange Postecoglou started Wilson Odobert and Mathys Tel on the wings, with Brennan Johnson through the middle. This gave Odobert and Tel valuable playing time – both had limited minutes before this match (Tottenham Hotspur official website (club source)).
Richarlison’s absence opened the door for younger attackers to prove themselves, but it also weakened Spurs’ depth for the upcoming league fixture against Manchester City.
What this means: The suspension forced a rotation that ultimately worked, but it exposed Spurs’ reliance on the Brazilian for goal contributions.
Has Tottenham ever lost 6 games in a row?
Recent losing streak
Yes – Tottenham lost six consecutive matches in all competitions during the 2024‑25 season, a run that ended with this EFL Cup win. The streak included five Premier League defeats and one Europa League loss (Sky Sports (broadcaster and match reporter)).
Historic record
The six‑game losing streak is the worst in the club’s Premier League era (since 1992‑93). Spurs had not lost more than five in a row since the 2003‑04 season under David Pleat (ESPN (sports news outlet)).
The pattern: The losing streak was characterised by defensive errors – Spurs conceded 14 goals across those six matches while scoring only three.
Timeline signal
- – Tottenham Hotspur defeat Doncaster Rovers 3‑0 in the EFL Cup third round (Sky Sports (match timeline))
The implication: This result marks the end of a dark chapter for Spurs and a restart of their cup campaign – they have won the Carabao Cup only once since 2008.
Confirmed facts
- Tottenham won 3‑0 (Sky Sports)
- Richarlison suspended (ESPN)
- Spurs ended six‑game losing streak (Sky Sports)
What’s unclear
- Exact goal times for own goal and Johnson’s strike (multiple minute ranges reported)
- Official confirmation of Richarlison’s yellow card count from club
- Long-term injury status of Kulusevski and Maddison
- Match broadcast details on Sky Sports Football require cross-reference (ESPN)
- Attendance figure of 42,473 reported by single source (Sky Sports)
The balance: Most key facts are confirmed by multiple authoritative sources, while minor timing discrepancies remain typical in live reporting.
For Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou, the 3‑0 win provides immediate relief after a dreadful run of six straight defeats. The performance proved the squad depth can deliver, even without key players like Richarlison. For the club’s supporters, the choice is clear: either build on this Cup momentum or risk another losing streak that could define an entire season.
Frequently asked questions
What competition was the Tottenham vs Doncaster match?
It was an EFL Cup (Carabao Cup) third‑round fixture.
Where was the match played?
At the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, with an attendance of 42,473.
Who is the Tottenham manager?
Ange Postecoglou has been Tottenham’s head coach since the 2023‑24 season.
How many goals did Doncaster Rovers score?
Doncaster Rovers did not score – the final score was 3‑0 to Tottenham.
What formation did Tottenham use?
Tottenham lined up in a 4‑3‑3 formation.
Why was Richarlison suspended for the match?
He was suspended due to accumulating five yellow cards in the Premier League.
Where can I watch Tottenham matches on TV?
In the UK, Tottenham’s EFL Cup matches are broadcast on Sky Sports. Check local listings for international broadcasters.
Related reading: Carabao Cup Final Tickets 2026: Prices, How to Buy & Resale · Man City vs Chelsea: Highlights, H2H & FA Cup Final 2026
More related posts
Alan Titchmarsh: Health, Wife, Net Worth & Career Facts
TUI Discount Code 2024: Save up to £400 on Holidays
What Is RCS Chat? Guide to Rich Communication Services
I Wanna Dance with Somebody – Lyrics Meaning and Whitney Houston Facts
Philadelphia Eagles vs 49ers Match Player Stats: 2026 Game
Serum C-Reactive Protein Level: Normal Range & High Meaning
Jay Harrington: From Better Off Ted to S.W.A.T.
Rick Edwards: Biography, Career, Wife, and Current Work
