Tottenham secured an important 3-0 victory over Elfsborg to clinch fourth place of their Europa League group, guaranteeing an automated berth within the last-16.
What had initially been a irritating night for Ange Postecoglou’s aspect became a joyous event as three academy graduates – Dane Scarlett, Damola Ajayi, and Mikey Moore – scored their first objectives for the membership in an exciting closing 20 minutes.
Spurs dominated possession from the outset, however clear-cut possibilities had been at a premium within the first half.
Heung-min Son, making his fiftieth European look for the membership, offered the brightest moments, organising Pape Matar Sarr and Moore for Spurs’ greatest early efforts.
Regardless of their management – boasting 81% possession – Tottenham went into the break goalless, with Elfsborg providing little menace in return.
Postecoglou launched Dejan Kulusevski at half-time, and his impression was telling. The breakthrough arrived within the seventieth minute when Kulusevski whipped in an excellent cross for Scarlett, who powered residence a header for his first senior Spurs purpose.
Secured our place within the spherical of 16 🔒 pic.twitter.com/iyx7Cpb8wa
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) January 30, 2025
Simply 14 minutes later, debutant Ajayi doubled the lead, exchanging passes with Scarlett earlier than slotting into the nook. The evening was capped off deep into stoppage time as Moore stole possession, drove in the direction of purpose, and coolly completed low into the web.
And Postecoglou was filled with reward for his younger cohort after the match.
He mentioned: “Actually happy. The target was to try to win at the moment and safe our spot within the prime eight. I believed the boys had been good, managed the sport and we had been by no means actually threatened. We needed to bide our time as they sat deep, however they gave that up ultimately to chase the sport and the objectives got here.
“[The victory was] made in Tottenham tonight. I’m tremendous happy for the younger boys, and we additionally shouldn’t lose sight of the truth that we had a pair extra youngsters on the market too. I’m positive these three lads received’t sleep tonight. We wanted one thing tonight and the younger lads stepped up.
“We’ve acquired one other large week arising so the adjustments at half-time had been about managing the load. We nonetheless picked up harm with Radu [Dragusin] which isn’t nice, however the three lads at half-time are good.
“[On Dragusin’s injury] It’s too early to say what it’s, we might want to examine futher. Nevertheless it was his knee which isn’t good.
“We’ve got one other recreation on Sunday. The membership might be working laborious behind the scenes to see if we are able to get one thing accomplished.”
