On a night when Tottenham Hotspur needed heroes, a trio of homegrown youngsters stepped up to bail out under-fire manager Ange Postecoglou and secure Spurs’ place in the Europa League knockout stages. With the hosts struggling to break down a stubborn Elfsborg side and tensions rising in the stands, it was academy products Dane Scarlett, Oyindamola Ajayi, and Mikey Moore who ultimately made the difference, scoring crucial late goals to seal a 3-0 win and send Tottenham through to the last 16.
Young Guns to the Rescue
Spurs fans could have been forgiven for fearing the worst when key defender Radu Dragusin limped off midway through the second half with the score still locked at 0-0. But cometh the hour, cometh the young guns. Just four minutes after entering the fray, 20-year-old striker Scarlett broke the deadlock with a fine header from Dejan Kulusevski’s inch-perfect cross to net his first goal for the club.
Made in Tottenham. They’ll go to sleep pretty excited. I keep saying that it’s been a pretty tough period in terms of our league form but there has still been real growth.
Ange Postecoglou on Tottenham’s youth stars
Spurs doubled their lead on 84 minutes through another debutant in 19-year-old winger Ajayi. The pacey wideman showed composure beyond his years to cut inside and curl home from 18 yards out. Then, in added time, it was 17-year-old prodigy Moore’s turn to make history, becoming Tottenham’s youngest ever European goalscorer at just 17 years and 152 days old – beating a 67-year record held by the legendary Jimmy Greaves.
Cause for Optimism Amid Troubling Times
While this ultimately comfortable scoreline will provide much-needed respite for Postecoglou, there’s no escaping Tottenham’s woeful domestic form that sees them languishing in 15th place in the Premier League table. Chairman Daniel Levy is a man under increasing pressure from the Spurs faithful, with chants of “Levy Out” again ringing around the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Yet on a night when injuries and fatigue looked like conspiring against them, Tottenham’s talented teens provided a timely reminder of the quality coming through the ranks in N17. In Scarlett, Ajayi and Moore, Spurs appear to have three genuine prospects ready to make an impact at the top level. Their fearless cameos here will give Postecoglou food for thought as he looks to resurrect Tottenham’s stuttering season.
It’s been a pretty good European campaign. We’ve had to deal with some adversity.
Postecoglou reflects on Tottenham’s Europa League progress
Europa League Draw Awaits
Tottenham’s reward for clinching fourth spot in the group is a favorable draw in the last 16. They will face one of AZ Alkmaar, Midtjylland, Real Sociedad or Galatasaray with the first leg to be played in February. On this evidence, Spurs will fancy their chances of extending their European adventure deep into the spring, especially if their clutch of emerging young stars continue to impress.
On a night when Tottenham’s old guard toiled, their new generation stood tall. In Scarlett, Ajayi and Moore, a bright future beckons for Spurs – but only if Postecoglou can harness their prodigious talents and turn around the club’s ailing fortunes. The Australian has bought himself some breathing room for now but tougher challenges undoubtedly lie ahead. Over to you, Ange.