Tottenham sent powerful reminder of what the future holds as Micky van de Ven offers major boost
Tottenham booked their place in the Europa League knockouts with a 3-0 win over Swedish club IF Elfsborg, sealed by goals from academy graduates Dane Scarlett, Damola Ajayi and Mikey Moore.
Scarlett and Ajayi both scored within minutes of their introductions in the second half before Moore added a third in stoppage-time.
Here are three Spurs talking points from the match…
The kids are alright
Tottenham’s present remains uncertain but here was a powerful reminder that the club have the ingredients for a bright future.
Postecoglou’s side finished the game with four academy graduates on the pitch, as well as teenage summer signings Archie Gray and Lucas Bergvall.
Scarlett, 20, Ajayi, 19, and Moore, 17, all opened their accounts for their boyhood club with well-taken goals on an outstanding night for the academy, which will give supporters a much-needed lift.
Moore’s talent is well-documented and his lively display for 90 minutes suggests he will is ready to be an important player in the second half of the season.
Scarlett, too, will hope for further chances, particularly now he will not be able to go out on another loan because he has played for two clubs already this season after being recalled from Oxford United earlier in the month.
The way he took his goal to break the deadlock, bravely nodding home Dejan Kulusevski's cross, and unselfishly set up Ajayi’s fine strike with a smart one-two suggests he could be a useful option from the bench for Spurs, at least until Dominic Solanke is fit again.
Right-winger Ajayi, meanwhile, was an unknown before the match but announced himself with a superb cameo. With Spurs desperately short of wide players while Brennan Johnson, Wilson Odobert and Timo Werner are out, Ajayi will also be optimistic that this is not his last appearance this term.
Van de Ven’s return a boost but Dragusin now a concern
Micky van de Ven’s latest return to the side lasted just 45 minutes – although this time, his early substitution was part of the plan.
Spurs were cautious with Van de Ven in the hope that he will be fully up to speed for the double-header against Liverpool and Aston Villa next week, which feels key to their hopes of salvaging the season – as well as perhaps Postecoglou’s future.
And the Dutchman’s display on his first appearance since December 8 was a reminder of why he is so important to Ange Postecoglou’s side.
As Postecoglou had predicted, Van de Ven’s return seemed to energise the team, as well as restoring a balance to the back four.
He was assured on the ball and commanding without it, seeming to win all his 50:50s to ensure Spurs remained relentlessly on the front foot in the first half.
As has so often been the case for Spurs, however, it may prove to be a case of one in, one out after Van de Ven’s half-time replacement Radu Dragusin was forced off after appearing to jar his knee on landing.
Spurs will now face an anxious wait to discover if the Romanian has suffered a serious injury which would only increase the pressure on Van de Ven to stay healthy and hit the ground in the bigger tests to come.
Spurs get the job done
A comfortable win ensured Spurs finished fourth in the Europa League table, avoiding a hugely unwanted two-legged play-off.
Given the state of the squad and the injury pile-up, it would have been a disaster if Spurs had been forced into the play-off round but they navigated their final game with ease, dominating the ultra-defensive Swedes from start to finish.
Postecoglou's Spurs will now face one of AZ Alkmaar, Galatasaray, Real Sociedad or Midtjylland in the last-16 and have a much-needed free week in February.
For all their struggles in the League, Spurs are continuing to progress in the cup competitions, ensuring their season remains alive, and if they can navigate the much tougher tests against Liverpool and Aston Villa next week, an historic campaign will still be on.
