Hearts 1-5 Tottenham: youngsters impressive as Spurs roll in Edinburgh

Tottenham Hotspur got their preseason friendly matches off to a rip-roaring start in Edinburgh on Wednesday, playing Heart of Midlothian away as part of Hearts’ 150th anniversary celebrations. The match commemorated Dave Mackay who played for both clubs, and Spurs would’ve made Dave proud today. Spurs scored five goals — one from Brennan Johnson, and four second half goals from Will Lankshear, Mikey Moore, Djed Spence, and Ash Phillips — as they cruised to a 5-1 friendly win at Tynecastle Park.

Friendly matches are all about fitness and minutes in the legs and less about results, but Spurs had some really impressive moments, especially from the youngsters who played in the second half. It was also an opportunity to see new signings Archie Gray and Lucas Bergvall in action for the first time — neither disappointed.

Here are the lineups for first and second half, as well as my impressions on the comprehensive win.

First half lineup: Austin; Porro, Gray, Skipp, Donley; Bissouma, Maddison, Kulusevski; Johnson, Son, Solomon

Scorers: Johnson (38’)

Second half lineup: Whiteman; Spence, Royal, Phillips, Robson; Hall, Bergvall, Devine; Werner, Lankshear, Moore

Scorers: Lankshear (55’), Moore (66’), Spence (71’), Phillips (85’)

Subs: Veliz (67’, Lankshear), Scarlett (81’, Veliz), Gunter (84’, Whiteman)

First Half Reactions

• That’s the most sicko preseason friendly lineup I think I’ve seen since AVB. Someone pointed out in Carty Chat that it probably makes sense to start with the makeshift defense ahead of the more senior players, with a more experienced back line playing with the kids in the second half. Makes sense to me!
• Only surprising omissions to the squad was Ben Davies, Richarlison, and Pape Sarr. No word on them, but I assume they had knocks that prevented them from playing or traveling? Or maybe we’ll see them vs. QPR.
• This might be preseason with a mish-mash team, but it’s still Ange-ball — high pressing, constant movement, and a real progressive intent. Hi, Ange. I see you. I missed you.
• With the caveat that it’s his first preseason match and he’s playing waaaaaay out of his usual position, Archie Gray did not look out of place. He held his own at CB, used his physicality well, and looks like he understands how to use space, all good signifiers. That was a strong half.
• Skipp, on the other hand… well. If you can’t say anything nice…
• We haven’t seen much from Brandon Austin but he did well — had an incredible reaction save midway through the half on what looked like a sure goal for Hearts.
• Not super impressed with Manor Solomon that half. Likely just rust since he’s been out for a year, but it’s also not like we’ve had a lot of opportunities to evaluate him. He was not attacking the back post like I’d expect but did have a couple of good balls into the box.
• When the goal did come it was pretty emphatic. Perfect Ange-ball goal, set up with great passing between Maddison and Deki, and finished off cleanly by Brennan Johnson. And let’s not overlook an incredible pass from Donley in the buildup.
• Sonny had a couple of decent moments and combined well with Maddison, but is a tad rusty playing as a CF. Had a couple of convertable shots that just didn’t convert.

Second Half Reactions

• Wholesale changes for Ange in the second half, and a great chance to see the kids.
• When you play the kids, you should expect some Whoopsie-doopsie! moments. Shame the moment came from Emerson Royal. Terrible pass out of the back that led to Hearts’ equalizer.
• After an opening 10 minutes where they looked like they’d never played before, I assume some muscle memory kicked in with the kids. They did pretty impressively well on the whole.
• What a great goal from Will Lankshear! Spence did a nice job dribbling into the middle of the pitch and putting in a good through ball into space, Lankshear with a real striker’s finish. That guy is a load.
• Ash Phillips is an absolute unit. In awe of the size of him, etc. Not sure if he’s ready this season, but I can understand why Tottenham like him.
• Bergvall has a real burst of speed that he showed on several occasions in midfield. He also put in some outstanding line-breaking passes in that second half. He’s not just going to be useful this season, he’s going to be a STAR.
• You know who looked pretty darned impressive this half? Djed Spence, who looked almost like a natural fit as an inverted RB. Set up a goal, scored a goal and looked pretty fantastic overall. The accusations of a bad attitude hang over him like a cloud and I think it’s too much to ask that he sticks around this summer, but he did justify Spurs not selling him cheaply to Genoa.
• Comment from Matty, in the chat — “Timo Werner is in full preseason mode.” Yup. But he did make a great cross to set up Djed’s goal.
• Yo, super impressive goal from Mikey Moore. Bergvall put a ball on a plate for him, but to have the composure to take those dribbles in the box and get the shot off, that’s really REALLY good. What a moment!
• Tyrese Hall had a quietly nice match in the center of the pitch. Nothing spectacular or even particularly noteworthy, but he also didn’t make any real mistakes and kept the ball moving through midfield. Rare to have that kind of composure from a central midfielder that young.
• Glad we got a chance to see Veliz in this match, though he didn’t show a ton in his appearance apart from his own blood. Shame he got subbed off for Dane Scarlett, I assume it was precautionary for the nosebleed.
• Spurs’ fifth was a good cross in from Bergvall and a super header from Scarlett (the keeper made an outstanding save). Ash Phillips at the right spot to tap in at the back post.
• Who doesn’t love a second half friendly keeper sub? Fun to see Luca Gunter, who is apparently very highly regarded in Spurs’ academy.
• Y’all, I can’t help but be excited for Tottenham’s future after watching this half. The kids played like they expect that Ange Postecoglou will give them chances if they perform well. And maybe that’s true! That was certainly fun!