Tottenham gave fans a reminder of exactly why they didn’t want a return to Championship football, dispatching Charlton Athletic 5-1 in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday night. Roberto De Zerbi’s men were largely untroubled by Nathan Jones’ second-tier visitors, with Mikey Moore, Dominic Solanke, Kevin Danso, Savio and Ben Davies all getting on the scoresheet in a routine win that sends Spurs through to the next round.
Moore’s summer has been anything but straightforward, with a loan exit still very much a live possibility. His weekend outing against Brentford did his cause no favours — the teenager squandered two decent chances, failed to create a single key pass, and was withdrawn just after the hour mark. Against Charlton, though, he answered his critics in style, cutting in from the right and drilling a fierce finish past goalkeeper Tiernan Brooks to open the scoring, then turning creator to tee up Solanke for his first goal of the season. It was a far livelier showing overall, with Moore racking up 26 carries — seven of them progressive — and completing three of eight attempted dribbles. Whether that’s enough to change De Zerbi’s thinking on a loan remains to be seen, especially with fresh attacking additions likely to squeeze his game time further.
There was plenty else to like too. Mateus Fernandes impressed on his first start with an assist, Jan Paul van Hecke put a shaky Brentford debut behind him with a tidy defensive shift and a perfect record in his defensive duels, and Solanke finally got off the mark after a tough campaign in front of goal.
The standout, though, was debutant Savio. Having only signed on Tuesday, the Brazilian needed barely 20 minutes off the bench to leave his mark, driving inside from the right and slotting a clinical finish into the near corner — just the kind of end product De Zerbi had publicly urged him to add, having pointed out that top wingers typically hit double figures for goals each season. There were shades of Son Heung-min in the movement, even from the opposite flank — the same eagerness to run at defenders, cut infield and go for goal. Savio also thought he’d doubled his tally soon after, wheeling away in celebration, only for replays to award the goal to Davies’ late touch.
Tougher examinations await once Premier League football comes calling, but this was an enticing first taste of what Savio could offer. Spurs’ wide areas have lacked spark since Son’s exit last year — if Savio can keep producing moments like this, he may be just the man to bring that thrill factor back.
