Thomas Frank has vowed to get Tottenham competing on all fronts and the bid for domestic honours is off to a positive start.
Even with seven changes and a lengthening injury list, this was a strong Spurs side as Frank freshened things up amid a busy run.
Two quickfire goals early in the first half sent the hosts on their way, as Joao Palhinha scored an overhead kick and Jay McGrath doubled the lead with an own goal.
The third did not come until the final kick of the match, Brennan Johnson streaking away and dinking over the goalkeeper, but this was a stress-free night and another job well done for Frank and his players.
Midfield destroyer, effective centre-back and, seemingly, acrobatic goalscorer.
Joao Palhinha has been one of Spurs’ best players this season and that continued here with another assured showing.
The 30-year-old was confident with the ball at his feet at centre-back but also did his defensive work well, showing good pace to track Toyosi Olusanya and make a good challenge when the Doncaster man got in behind.
Spurs have the option to make Palhinha’s loan move from Bayern Munich permanent for a fee of around £27million. That already feels like a no-brainer.
When the teamsheet came out, it looked like Archie Gray was set for a stint at centre-back alongside Kevin Danso. Instead, it was Palhinha who dropped back and Gray got his chance to impress in his more natural position.
Even in the opening minutes it was noticeable how advanced he was, pushing right up onto the Doncaster defence when Spurs had the ball.
Gray regularly made runs in behind and got to the byline, and Brennan Johnson and Pedro Porro should have picked him out more regularly.
He was strong on the ball, too. One powerful run in the first half saw him fouled two or three times but Gray stayed on his feet and pinged a lovely ball out wide, drawing applause from Lucas Bergvall who was warming up on the touchline.
Gray was not quite as effective after the break but there were still bright moments, including one run and cross out wide that led to Bergvall heading just wide.
Minutes have been hard to come by this season for Gray, but on this showing his deserves more opportunities.
Top of his game: Palhinha marked a smart performance with a memorable goal
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Williams-Barnett becomes Spurs’ No900
Three academy stars made the bench, as Frank handed places in the squad to Luca Williams-Barnett, Juna’ai Byfield and Tynan Thompson.
When Spurs went 2-0 up inside 20 minutes, it felt inevitable that at least one of the teenagers would get on. However, with the lead remaining at only two goals and the match not quite put to bed, Frank first turned to Richarlison, Lucas Bergvall and Destiny Udogie off the bench.
Williams-Barnett eventually got the call to stop warming up and with three minutes remaining, his moment came. A huge roar went around the stadium as he replaced Mathys Tel to become the 900th player to represent Spurs.
There was real anticipation whenever Williams-Barnett picked up the ball. Playing on the left, he drifted inside and had one pass through to Bergvall cut out. He then bundled his way through another challenge and played it wide to Udogie for a move that led to Bergvall finding the net, but the offside flag was up.
There will surely be plenty more Spurs appearances to come for the teenager, but this is one he will never forget.
