Tottenham Hotspur 5 Charlton 1
Charlton’s Carabao Cup campaign came to an end with a 5-1 defeat to Spurs in the second round at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Wednesday evening.
Nathan Jones made 10 changes to the side that beat West Ham United last time out, with Billy Koumetio the only player to retain his place in the starting line-up, while Timothy Ouma, Ivan Mesík and Micah Mbick were handed their full Addicks' debuts.
With just 15 minutes on the clock, Charlton were dealt a blow as they were forced into a double change. Collins Sichenje had to be stretchered off after suffering what appeared to be a knee injury, with Danny McNamara brought on in his place. Koumetio was also forced off at the same time, after pulling up off the ball, with Lloyd Jones replacing him.
Midway through the first half, the visitors enjoyed a promising spell and, on 26 minutes, Greg Docherty tried his luck from range with a powerful strike that had to be turned away by Antonín Kinský.
Moments later, Nathan Asiimwe headed the ball goalwards from an Addicks corner, and saw it go narrowly wide of the post.
The home side turned up the tempo as they looked to break the deadlock. Jones got down well to block Solanke’s shot, before Tiernan Brooks pulled out a strong hand to deny Archie Gray from converting the rebound.
Ivan Mesík produced a brilliant block to stop Ben Davies’ cross from flashing across the face of goal.
Tottenham opened the scoring on 41 minutes through Mikey Moore. His effort from outside of the box went through the arms of Brooks and into the net.
Solanke doubled the hosts’ lead just minutes after the opener. Ouma’s failed clearance dropped to the striker in the box, who thumped the ball home. Spurs led 2-0 at the break.
Charlton were under pressure in the opening stages of the second half, as they struggled to sustain any possession.
Jones made a triple change on 65 minutes. Harvey Knibbs and Ouma and Alli were all substituted. Miles Leaburn, Alan Mwamba and Joe Rankin-Costello were all introduced.
Kevin Danso added a third goal for Spurs with his first touch of the ball, having just entered the field. The ball was in play from a free-kick, and the defender headed home to make it 3-0.
Matthys Tel then tested Brooks from close range, but the keeper got down well to prevent him getting onto the scoresheet.
At the other end, Kinský made a smart stop to deny Leaburn, as his shot was sent for a corner.
Savio doubled Tottenham’s lead with less than 10 minutes remaining, firing into the bottom corner. Moments later, Tottenham scored again, through Ben Davies.
Jones gave the travelling supporters something to celebrate late on, as he netted his third goal in three games. The defender rose highest to meet Joe Rankin-Costello’s corner, to pull the score back to 5-1.
The Addicks return to action on Saturday when they take on Preston North End at The Valley in the Sky Bet Championship (3pm BST).
Tottenham Hotspur: Kinský; Gray, Davies (c), van Hecke (Van de Ven 65), Udogie (Pedro Porro 65); Bentancur (Danso 65), Bergvall, Fernandes; Moore, Solanke (Savio 71), Tel (Williams-Barnett 78)
Subs (not used): Dúbravka, Robertson, Gallagher, Richarlison
Goals: Moore 41, Solanke 44, Danso 67, Savio 82, Davies 85
Assist: Bentancur 41, Moore 44, Fernandes 67, Gray 82, Savio 85
Booked: Bergvall 24
Charlton: Brooks; Mesík, Sichenje (McNamara 15), Koumetio (Jones 15), Asiimwe; Ouma (Mwamba 66), Docherty (c), Knibbs (Leaburn 66), Alli (Rankin-Costello 66), Apter, Mbick
Subs (not used): Okonkwo, Coventry, Carey, Tagoe
Goal: Jones 87
Assist: Rankin-Costello 87
Booked: Apter 45+2
Referee: Adam Herczeg
Attendance: 49,008 (5,744 from Charlton)
