Tottenham 5-0 Gillingham: Spurs thrash Gills to advance in League Cup

Gillingham at home. It always looked to be an easy draw for Spurs, and on the pitch it proved to be all that and more.

It was a fruitful night in the League Cup at White Hart Lane. Those in attendance, or those who managed to find a stream, saw Spurs win 5-0, saw Christian Eriksen score a wonderful brace, and saw Vincent Janssen and Josh Onomah score their first goals for Tottenham.

Highly touted academy products Harry Winks and Cameron Carter-Vickers started to make their full debuts for the senior team. Winks teamed-up with Tom Carroll to control the midfield. Carter-Vickers worked well with Kevin Wimmer to shut down any semblance of an opening that Gillingham had.

Marcus Edwards, Georges-Kevin N’Koudou, and Anton Walkes all came off the bench for their first appearances for the club. The excitement was palpable around WHL every time the 17-year-old Edwards touched the ball. The last notable action of the match was an incredible run from Edwards that almost ended in a goal for the youngster.

The game was completely dominated by Spurs from the get-go. Possession around the Gillingham box was constant, but it would take a spectacular effort to break the initial deadlock.

Christian Eriksen scored a screamer from long-range that took a knuckled path through the air before beating Stuart Nelson in the 31st minute. It was the Dane’s first goal of the season, and it really was a beauty. It just shows what Eriksen can do with a little bit of space on the edge of the box.

Eriksen added a second right after halftime. He poked one through Nelson’s legs after he was set up by Erik Lamela. This second goal essentially put the game permanently out of reach for the Gills.

Vincent Janssen was incredibly unlucky, especially in the first half, not to score his first goal for Tottenham, but all he had to do was wait for the second half. Kieran Trippier won a penalty in the box, and Janssen instantly picked up the ball to assert himself as the PK-taker. Vincent slotted the penalty away for his long-awaited first goal for Spurs.

Joshua Onomah decided to join the party and open his account in the 65th minute. Onomah received a pass and simply placed the ball just inside the post. Again, Lamela provided the assist.

It doesn’t matter that it was only an opponent in League One, Erik Lamela worked as hard as he does during any Premier League match. He deserved a goal, and finally got his in the 68th minute to cap off the scoring. Janssen laid the ball into the Argentinian’s path, and he finished it first-time with ease.

Nearly everyone played well for Spurs, but Lamela’s performance stood out. One goal and three assists, certainly good enough for him to be considered the man of the match. He even almost scored a goal with his right foot!

The result sees Spurs advance to the Fourth Round of the EFL Cup. The draw for this round has been a bit trickier, as Tottenham will be the visitors at Anfield against Liverpool for their match-up.

All-in-all it was a good night for Spurs, and a night that quite a few of our younger players will never forget.