Gallagher Saves Spurs' Unbeaten Streak Against Getafe
Tottenham’s unbeaten preseason survived a scare in North London, rescued by Conor Gallagher in a tight, 70‑minute workout against Getafe that said more about rhythm and structure than spectacle.
Behind closed doors at the club’s training ground, with each half trimmed to 35 minutes, Roberto De Zerbi used the afternoon to show off a new spine. Sandro Tonali, Jan Paul van Hecke and Andy Robertson all started, while Archie Gray wore the armband – a striking show of trust in the youngster as Spurs tune up for the new campaign.
The game itself built slowly. Tottenham moved the ball with patience, Tonali dropping deep to dictate, Robertson pushing high on the left. Clear chances, though, were scarce.
Right on the cusp of the interval, they finally prised Getafe open. Robertson whipped in a trademark dead ball and Ben Davies met it cleanly, his header flashing just off target. It was the closest Spurs came to breaking through in a first half that was more rehearsal than drama.
Second Half
The tempo rose after the restart. Mikey Moore darted into the box and stretched for a low cross, only to fall inches short of turning it in. The intent was there, the finish was not.
Richarlison then began to impose himself. From a set-piece he climbed above his marker, steering a powerful header that almost caught David Soria out, the Getafe goalkeeper scrambling to keep the scores level. Tottenham had the territory and the pressure. Getafe had the punch.
On 55 minutes, the Spanish side struck. Alberto Risco played a sharp one‑two on the edge of the area, burst through the gap and coolly beat Antonín Kinsky. One move, one lapse, and Spurs were behind to last season’s seventh‑placed side in LaLiga.
The response was swift. Ten minutes after the opener, the ball was fed into Richarlison’s feet, the Brazilian holding off his man and drawing defenders towards him. The layoff fell perfectly for Gallagher, who swept his finish home with authority to level the match and underline his growing influence in De Zerbi’s evolving midfield.
The pressure stayed on Getafe in the closing stages. Richarlison again rose highest, directing another header on target, only for Soria to stand firm once more, preserving the draw and denying Spurs a fifth straight preseason win.
It ended 1-1, the unbeaten run intact, the scoreline modest – but for De Zerbi, with new signings blooded and a new captain tested, this quiet training‑ground contest will have felt like another step towards the team he wants to unveil when the real games begin.
