Fixture…
Thursday 30th January, 20:00
Tottenham Hotspur Vs Elfsborg
UEFA Europa League – League Stage
Available On…
UK TV – TNT Sports 2
IRE – Premier Sports 2
More Info…
connect@spursonline.net
Result: 3-0 (Tottenham Win)
D. Scarlett (70′)
D. Ajayi (84′)
M. Moore (90’+4)
Match Report…
The biggest news of the night should have been the confirmation of Van de Vens return but that was soon to be overshadowed. Young Mikey Moore was also given another start alongside Richarlison and Son up front.
Spurs started brightly and Sonny showed plenty of trickery, beating his man on more than one occasion to get to the bar line and make the cross. Both Richarlison and Van de Ven had half chances with headers but it was Moore and Sarr who had the best chances of the half, forcing good saves from the goalkeeper.
Davies, playing on the left side this evening enjoyed the freedom of the inverted full back role to push forward and join the strike force on several occasions, leaving me to wonder what he could have done with that role in his younger days. But for all Tottenhams possession it was a deadlock at half time and Spurs were going to have to be patient to open the scoring.
At half time 3 substitutions were made by Spurs which were clearly planned and explains why Sonny was so lively in the first half, with Kulu coming on in his place. On came Dragusin, with 45 minutes deemed enough for Van de Vens return. Also back from injury was Bissouma who replaced Bentancur. Some sensible squad rotation in preparation for what will be another huge game for Spurs on Sunday.
Spurs started the second half relatively quiet and on the 52nd minute it was Elfsborg who came close to taking a shock lead with an overhead attempt just going over the bar. In all fairness it was probably their first attack on goal in the match. Moments later Porro burst into the box to provide a cross for a diving Bergvall, only to be denied by the goalkeeper once again.
However on 66 minutes Tottenhams injury problems continued with Dragusin hobbling off after only 20 minutes. Dane Scarlett was brought on with a rare appearance which meant a complete reshuffle with Davies coming into centre back with Gray.
With a reshaped front line too it was Kulu who provided a wonderful cross and after only 3 minutes on the pitch it was Scarlett would you believe who broke the deadlock in his first game for Spurs this season with a fabulous leaping header.
In the 80th minute another academy player Ajayi was given an opportunity in place of Richi who had worked hard for the team but never really looked like scoring. It was a night for the super subs because after only 4 minutes on the pitch Ajayi dribbled the ball forward towards the box and made a superb one two with Scarlett before striking it into the bottom corner like it was just another kick about at the park! What a debut and what a moment for the 19 year old.
If you thought that was special young Mikey Moore, determined not to be left out of the limelight made a solo effort from something out of the books of Messi, dribbling the ball forward from near half way line into the box and slotting it home effortlessly. That’s 3 academy players all scoring their first goals for Spurs and just what the fans wanted to see.
At 17 years and 172 days old, Moore has become the youngest English player to score in a major men’s European competition, breaking Jimmy Greaves’ record (17 years 245 days), set in October 1957. For Moore, that’s now 2 assists and 1 goal this month, not a bad return after a lengthy layout.
The final score was 3 nil and it was a professional performance with Tottenham controlling the game from start to finish. It might have only been Elfsborg but after such a poor result against Leicester it was good to see them bounce back. It also meant a guaranteed qualification spot in the Europa League.
It was a great result with a positive attitude from the players and the return of some injured players was excellent news too. But it was the young academy players who stole the show and will be giving the fans a buzz all the way home. Maybe there is hope yet!
COYS!!
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