Mateus Fernandes scored a stunning winner minutes into his Tottenham debut as Roberto De Zerbi's side opened their pre-season campaign with a 1-0 defeat of MK Dons.
Spurs have plenty of work to do this summer as they integrate new faces and aim to return to the upper echelons of the Premier League. De Zerbi will be encouraged by his side's first outing.
Debutants impress
Fernandes, Sandro Tonali and Martin Dubravka all impressed as they played their first minutes in Tottenham colours behind closed doors at Hotspur Way, with Jan Paul van Hecke and Andy Robertson watching from the sidelines.
Tottenham made a lively start, with Dominic Solanke denied an opener seconds in by Craig MacGillivray. But with less than three minutes played, a Mathys Tel corner was punched clear to debutant Fernandes, whose sweet first-time volley rattled in off the post.
The midfield trio of Fernandes, Tonali and Conor Gallagher worked well, supported by a composed Archie Gray performance. Manor Solomon, returning from a loan at Fiorentina, had joy down the right flank, as did Rio Kyrematen on the left.
Second-half changes
MK Dons offered little going forward, and chances were defended well by Kota Takai and Ben Davies, playing for the first time since breaking his ankle in the spring. At half-time, De Zerbi made ten changes, introducing youngsters Luca Williams-Barnett, Mikey Moore, Dane Scarlett, and veterans Richarlison and Dubravka.
The direction of play swung in MK Dons' favour after the changes, but they could not find a way through a back line bolstered by Malachi Hardy. Both sides had goals ruled out in the second half: Richarlison's dinked finish was offside, and a Dons goal from a corner was chalked off for a foul on Dubravka.
Spurs had two late chances to add a second. Richarlison drew a routine parry from MacGillivray, and Yang Min-Hyeok missed an open goal after latching onto a pass from Williams-Barnett. Dubravka, debuting with a new club for the eighth time, denied a headed effort with a smart parry ten minutes from time.
