Tottenham No2 Steffen Freund says they were delighted with their young players in last night's Capital One Cup win at Carlisle United.

The Tottenham first XI showed eight changes from their 2-1 league victory over QPR on Sunday, with the likes of Adam Smith, Yago Falque and Ryan Mason getting some first-team experience and Tom Huddlestone and Michael Dawson being given a run-out, the latter for the first time since Andre Villas-Boas was appointed Spurs boss over the summer.

"We brought a few young players in and we believe in them all," Freund said.

"Adam Smith was fantastic at right-back and Ryan Mason has been scoring in the development squad, so we knew he can play. Then in the centre of midfield Tom Huddlestone is back after his injury, Michael Dawson is back.

"There are young players coming through which is nice to see, and it is especially nice to know that we have someone (Townsend) behind Gareth Bale who can jump in and create something.

"Don't forget, we have several injured players and still had a fantastic, strong team on the pitch today.

"We deserved to win in the end and it was difficult for Carlisle to create chances.

"That's why I'm really happy, as is the whole of the coaching staff."