Gallagher Keeps Spurs Unbeaten in Preseason Draw with Getafe
Tottenham’s unbeaten preseason survived a scare behind closed doors on Saturday, as Conor Gallagher struck a neat equaliser in a 1-1 draw with Getafe in a shortened training-ground friendly.
This was no grand occasion. No crowd, no fanfare, and only 35 minutes per half at Spurs’ base. But for Roberto De Zerbi, it was another valuable look at a reshaped side that had cruised through four straight preseason wins before the Spanish visitors, seventh in LaLiga last term, offered a sharper examination.
De Zerbi’s new-look spine
De Zerbi handed starts to new arrivals Sandro Tonali, Jan Paul van Hecke and Andy Robertson, while Archie Gray wore the armband — a striking show of faith in the youngster in what is still only a tune-up phase.
Tottenham controlled large spells of the first period. Robertson, already looking in sync with his new teammates, delivered the clearest chance before the interval: a trademark whipped free-kick met by Ben Davies, whose header flashed just off target. It was as close as Spurs came to breaking through before the shortened half-time whistle.
Getafe strike first
The pattern barely shifted after the restart. Mikey Moore stretched but couldn’t quite reach a teasing ball across goal, then Richarlison rose from a set-piece and forced David Soria into an awkward save as Tottenham pushed the tempo.
Then the game flipped.
Getafe, patient and compact until that point, carved Spurs open with a sharp move in the 55th minute. Alberto Risco exchanged a slick one-two on the edge of the area and slipped through before beating Antonín Kinsky to give the visitors the lead. One precise move, one ruthless finish, and Tottenham were chasing.
Gallagher answers the call
The response was quick and decisive. Five minutes later, the ball was worked into Richarlison’s feet, the Brazilian holding his ground under pressure. The lay-off fell kindly for Gallagher, who swept his finish home with the kind of conviction De Zerbi will want to see regularly this season.
The pressure almost turned into a late winner. Richarlison again found space in the box and powered another header on target, but Soria stood firm, palming the effort away in the dying moments of this 70-minute contest.
Getafe left with a draw. Tottenham left with their unbeaten preseason intact, new signings blooded, and a clearer sense of how De Zerbi’s evolving side responds when the script doesn’t quite go their way.
