FRIENDLY MATCH
WEDNESDAY 28TH JULY, 2021
MK DONS 1(0) TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 3(1)
MK Dons scorer:-
Freeman, 84
Spurs scorers:-
Son, 35
Dele, 57
Lucas Moura, 81
Attendance:- 15,795
Referee:- John Busby
Teams:-
MK Dons:- Ravizzoli (sub Walker 72); Watson (sub Freeman 72), Darling, O'Hora (sub Ilunga 66), Baldwin (sub Robson 66), O'Riley (Jules 66), Kasumu (c) (sub Morton 72), Watters (sub Brown 64), Eisa (sub Bird 72), Harvie (sub Lewington 66), Twine (sub Martin 72)
(MK Dons played in a 3-5-2 formation, but the presentation of the line-up does not necessarily represent that.
No Bookings
Spurs (4-3-3):- Whiteman; Doherty (sub Paskotsi, 64), Carter-Vickers, Tanganga (sub Fagan-Walcott, 86), Reguilon (sub Davies, 64); John, Skipp (sub Omole, 77), Dele (Capt.)(sub White, 82); Lucas Moura (sub Clarke, 82), Son (sub Scarlett, 77), Bergwijn (sub Parrott, 82)
Sub not used:- Lloris
No Bookings
Another happy return for Dele Alli!
Spurs’ last visit to Stadium MK was three years ago in September 2018 when we played a “home” Carabao Cup game here against Watford. On that occasion Dele Alli captained the Spurs side against Watford, scoring during the game which finished 2-2 and adding a decisive penalty to secure the tie for Spurs. Last night Dele was captain of a Spurs side which welcomed back two senior full backs for the first time this season, and he scored again in another comfortable pre-season friendly.
Matt Doherty and “Agent” Sergio Reguilon were those returning full backs. Reguilon has earned the title of agent as a result of his “involvement” in the announcement of his countryman Bryan Gil as a Spurs player. Another senior player – Ben Davies – replaced Sergio midway through the second half and club captain Hugo Lloris was also in the squad, but did not take part.
There was a healthy crowd in attendance, boosted by at least 4,000 Spurs fans, who were vocal throughout proceedings and generally in a cheerful mood. There was one belligerent (and in my view stupid) chant of “We want ENIC out!” in the second half, but that didn’t last long and those fans were soon cheering players such as Doherty and Reguilon who were warming down behind the goal nearest the visiting fans. They even got a wave from Nuno!
Once again there was no sign of Joe Hart and new signing Pierluigi Gollini was also not involved. Alfie Whiteman started again in goal, and after giving away an early penalty (which he saved), Whiteman gave another good account of himself, making two or three very good saves.
The home side had kicked off, but very soon Spurs were on the attack with Dele feeding Bergwijn who put his shot wide. MK Dons won an early corner and then the penalty after 4 minutes when Whiteman brought down Twine who had forced his way into the left side of the box. O’Riley telegraphed his intentions somewhat with a left foot shot which Alfie saved well, diving to his left.
Spurs had a good chance after 8 minutes when Bergwijn lifted a ball across the area from the left but “Sonny” hit his shot too high over the corner of goal. “Sonny” then delivered a nice ball to Bergwijn who fired wide from the left-hand side of the goal. So far, Spurs were not making the most of their opportunities. The Dons, who start their league programme on 7th August at Bolton and have a League Cup game at Bournemouth this Saturday, worked hard and challenged Spurs everywhere, offering a few dangerous moments when going forward.
Reguilon and Bergwijn were combining well down the left flank with Sergio getting into good forward positions, as is his wont. Both Nile John and Oliver Skipp looked good on the ball when given the opportunity and after a very good diagonal pass by John it was Bergwijn who made the final pass to Reguilon who was inside the box but saw his shot blocked. Another good move down the left flank ended with a Bergwijn pass to Dele, who also had his shot blocked. Dele was once again playing a deeper role towards the left of a midfield three, but often joined the attack too.
After a shot by “Reggie” the ball looped to Son, but the defence cleared. The Dons’ keeper saved from Bergwijn after Son had delivered a decent chance. “Sonny” had the ball in the net after receiving from Dele, but the offside flag had already been raised and of course there is no VAR at these games to review such incidents. “Sonny” was fouled just outside and “Reggie” took the kick, but this was blocked.
Spurs finally took a deserved lead in the 35th minute. Lucas Moura was lively all night and he delivered a good pass down the right channel where Son beat the goalkeeper with a delicate chipped shot which hit the net to the right of the keeper. Lucas and Bergwijn broke forward in tandem from the Spurs half and after Bergwijn’s final pass, Lucas was guilty of poor execution. Whiteman made an excellent save to his right from a long-range effort by Scott Twine, conceding a corner, which was cleared.
To be honest from our position in one corner of the ground, it was often difficult to discern the action at the other end. Stadium MK is a great facility, but their floodlights are not as good as they could be and ironically the pitch was often better lit when the four corner screens were showing a bright background!
Spurs kicked off the second half, at which point there had been no changes. Once again Reguilon and Bergwijn advanced together but when Bergwijn lifted a shot the keeper saved to his left and the ball was cleared. Son received a low ball to the right of goal, but his shot was also saved. Twine hit a right foot shot wide of Whiteman’s right post before Spurs went two up. Lucas Moura delivered another excellent ball in front of Son’s feet. Son got to the right of the box and passed inside for Dele to take a touch before scoring in front of his former fans.
A good midfield interception and pass by Skipp gave Bergwijn a chance, but that was saved. Spurs had a corner, brilliantly headed towards the far post by Carter-Vickers and finished off at close range by Dele, but that was disallowed for offside. At the other end, Whiteman saved a Twine free kick with a confident dive and hold of the ball to his right.
The traditional raft of substitutions began and the game generally lost its impetus. Dele nearly took advantage of a defensive error but saw his shot saved. Spurs did make it 3-0 with 9 minutes to go when Lucas was gifted the ball and scored with a nice low shot just inside the keeper’s right-hand post. MK Dons were granted a consolation goal after a corner which Tanganga headed to the edge of the box where substitute Freeman seemed to mis-kick the ball which looped into goal to the left of Whiteman.
The two remaining first team “friendlies” will be the “Mind Series” encounters with Chelsea next Wednesday, followed by Arsenal at home on 8th August when Spurs will be testing the policy of access to the stadium being granted to those with either a Covid Passport or proof of a recent negative test.
Apart from the home game against Aston Villa in May, tonight was my first live attendance since the start of lockdown in March last year. Our small group had a smashing pre-match social gathering and I have to say my appetite for attending games was well and truly re-kindled. I will at New White Hart Lane for the Manchester City game on Sunday August 15th!
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