Tottenham Hotspur put a disappointing Premier League defeat firmly behind them with a commanding victory over Charlton Athletic, easing pressure on manager Roberto De Zerbi and offering fresh encouragement ahead of the club's next league fixture against Newcastle.
After a chastening loss to Brentford left little to admire, De Zerbi opted for a strong side despite handing out several rotations. Mateus Fernandes was given his first full start for the club, while Destiny Udogie, Dominic Solanke, Rodrigo Bentancur and Ben Davies all featured from the beginning for the first time this season. Charlton, in contrast, made ten changes from the team that had beaten West Ham at the London Stadium just days earlier.
The opening period was far from straightforward for the hosts, who had to withstand spells of pressure from a lively Charlton side. Captain Greg Docherty tested goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky with a stinging effort, and the visitors looked increasingly assured as the half wore on. But two moments of quality either side of the midpoint of the first half swung the contest decisively in Spurs' favor. Moore fired a left-footed strike beyond Charlton stopper Tiernan Brooks, before Solanke turned smartly inside the box to double the advantage right on the stroke of half-time.
Whatever momentum Charlton had built evaporated after the interval as Tottenham took full control. Ben Davies added a third, and it was substitute Savio who then took center stage. Remarkably, the Brazilian had only completed his move to north London and been registered barely 24 hours before the match, yet he made an instant impact from the bench.
Savio's contribution was the highlight of the evening. He drove a superb low, left-footed finish into the net after weaving past several challengers on the edge of the penalty area, extending Spurs' lead to 4-0. Moments later he nearly grabbed a second, forcing his way through a packed box before his effort cannoned in off Ben Davies for what was recorded as the fifth goal. Charlton's Lloyd Jones did register a late consolation, but it did little to dent an otherwise dominant Tottenham display.
De Zerbi had spoken previously about wanting Savio to contribute more directly to the goal tally, and his cameo appearance suggested that particular demand will be easily met if his early form continues.
Elsewhere, Fernandes offered further reasons for optimism. Deployed as the most advanced of a three-man midfield, the Portuguese international showed composure and technical assurance, receiving the ball under pressure and turning cleanly into space on several occasions. Still building match fitness after recovering from a calf issue, Fernandes also played a role in the build-up, delivering a precise free-kick that Danso headed home.
The performance represented a much-needed response for a Tottenham side searching for consistency, and De Zerbi will take considerable encouragement from the display as attention turns back to league matters. With difficult recent results weighing on the mood around the club, this convincing win offers the squad renewed confidence heading into their upcoming Premier League clash with Newcastle, where points on the board will be the priority.
Based on reporting from Standard Football.