That fairy-tale ending was not in the original script. What seemed like a night that was stuck on pause and brought yet another injury suddenly turned into something more magical under the lights at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
It's a special moment to see a young player score their first goal for the club. To witness two do it is remarkable but for three youngsters to open their account in the same match was something that those starlets and the Tottenham fans among the 57,337-strong crowd will remember for a long, long time.
With each passing goal from the academy products so Ange Postecoglou's grin grew wider and wider. Spurs' long line of injured senior players sat on the bench all got to their feet and applauded while the fans sang their new young heroes' names.
At the final whistle, captain Son Heung-min went up to Dane Scarlett, Damola Ajayi and Mikey Moore and gave them a bear hug. The 17-year-old sank into his skipper's arms for a while, the emotions of the evening for someone so young perhaps hitting home.
For all three of the academy products to score in front of that big 17,500-seater south stand was entirely fitting.
First 20-year-old Scarlett leapt forward to head home Dejan Kulusevski's inswinging cross, then Ajayi came on for his debut and within minutes the 19-year-old winger drove inside from the right wing, interchanged passes with Scarlett before drilling a low shot inside the right-hand post.
Then Moore placed the cherry on top of the academy cake with a run from midway into the Elfsborg half before jinking inside two defenders and hitting a sweet low shot across the goalkeeper and inside the left-hand upright.
All three academy products enjoyed their celebrations in front of the big stand, living out the dream they would have played over and over in their head as children. Technically Moore still is a child.
So many people have been involved in their journey to this point. Their families and youth coaches like Wayne Burnett at U21 level and Stuart Lewis with the U18s, not to mention the assistant coaches, support staff and everyone who has helped them with fitness, diet, transportation and anyone who played their part along their path.
A debut for an academy product is celebrated as a huge win for everybody inside a club's academy. To have three players all score on the one evening, in a European night under the lights, is something that will be savoured now and probably will only truly be soaked in when this season comes to an end.
"It was Made in Tottenham tonight," Postecoglou told football.london. "It’s brilliant for the club and I’m sure there are academy coaches and players who won’t sleep tonight because they are pretty excited.
"We have got a big week coming up and we have got to try to manage the load of our players and try to protect them. We kind of knew we would have to rely on some young players tonight, and all the way through this campaign to be honest.
"I thought they stood up really well. The whole group played well but we were going to need some young boys to make an impact and not just the three goalscorers. We had a couple of 18-year-olds in there as well who continue to drive us on. So it is a great night for the club and something the whole academy should be proud of."
He added: "It’s great but I think it's a much prouder moment for the club itself. That's what academies are for. That's what those three boys and others who have played for us and were probably on the terraces at one time so our fans can relate to that.
"We're in a tough spot in the league obviously but I think that will be hugely enjoyable for everyone, just the fact that three young boys, three Tottenham lads have scored on a European night. I think it's just great for the club. My mind is now on Sunday and trying to make sure we get our league form back to where it should be."
The rest of Thursday night's match was mostly unremarkable as Tottenham finished fourth in the big Europa League table and will now face either Real Sociedad, Midtjylland or, once again, Galatasaray or AZ.
Postecoglou tried to give a couple of players a rest, Brandon Austin recorded his first competitive clean sheet as Elfsborg sat deep, were difficult to break down. They were indebted to their goalkeeper Isak Pettersson with Son Heung-min running riot down the left with his dribbling and Spurs of course picked up another injury.
The rule at Tottenham is that one must not get a player back to full health without losing someone else, usually in the same position.
This time it was Radu Dragusin competing for a ball that looked like it had already gone out of play a couple of seconds before, with Postecoglou signalling for a Spurs throw.
Instead in the vein of the freakish nature of recent Tottenham injuries, the Romanian used his strength to get to the ball and then his right foot planted awkwardly and jarred his knee. The 22-year-old initially looked ready to come back on and did a couple of jumps on the touchline to check with the physio only to suddenly feel the pain again and that was his night over.
football.london understands that Dragusin hyperextended his knee during the initial awkward landing and tests will now discover whether anything damaging has occurred inside the joint.
Micky van de Ven hyperextended his knee earlier this season but managed to play on after initial pain and did not suffer anything serious, but those tests will explore if Dragusin will enjoy similar fortune or not.
Even Postecoglou feigned a hamstring injury later in the evening when chasing a ball, holding the back of his leg and grinning, as he could only laugh at the ridiculous situation.
"I nearly did my hamstring mate, did you see that?" he joked afterwards. "To be fair, if I do it doesn't really matter. But yeah you've still got to enjoy it. It was a great night for the club, it was a great story to tell. There aren't many European nights when three homegrown products get on the scoresheet."
It came on an evening when Van de Ven returned to the fold and gave everyone a lift, playing just 45 minutes this time rather than overplaying as he did against Chelsea when he reinjured himself. The Dutchman gave a big grin as he walked back out in front of the crowd and posted on social media afterwards that "words can't describe how happy I am to be back".
"The three [substitutions] at half-time were all planned, all three are OK. We've got a big week coming up and just trying to manage our players. They've given everything they possibly can," said Postecoglou.
"Unfortunately Radu's hurt his knee now. I don't have any further information but it didn't look good as he was coming off so we'll just have to wait and see but it's disappointing. Micky got through it fine, it was always going to be 45 and he felt fine.
"He's a quality player. You could see already he's got a presence out there. With the injured guys, we've got quite a few that are long-termers, and they just want to help so they're coming in with really positive energy which helps the other boys.
"Hopefully over the next two weeks we get some more bodies back which will certainly help us inject some energy into the group."
When it came to energy there was a little too much from Lucas Bergvall, who was being taunted by the travelling Elfsborg fans from his homeland. He was trying too hard, playing showy, Hollywood passes that didn't reach their target and frustrated Postecoglou.
The Australian called to him a few times and motioned with his hands to calm down. Words were no doubt said at half-time as well and eventually the 18-year-old Swede settled into the rhythm of the game and ignored the taunts from the away section.
After the final whistle, Postecoglou sought out Bergvall and had a long chat and hug with the teenager, who once again gave everything to the cause in a 94 minute showing and looked shattered once again at the final whistle. He also seemed to be holding his groin with a wince at one point.
Bergvall and Archie Gray yet again had stepped into the breach for Tottenham, the latter filling in once more as a centre-back. He played on the right of Van de Ven to help with the shape, with Ben Davies as the left-back.
It will be interesting to see what happens on Sunday at Brentford if Dragusin's injury is enough to keep him out. For playing two left-footers in Van de Ven and Davies together in the centre of defence might be awkward, which could mean Gray filling in once again.
Thursday night though was all about the three academy products who left everyone buzzing.
For Dane Scarlett, this was a moment just over four years in the making. It was in this competition when he made history as the youngest player to appear in a competitive game for Tottenham, coming off the bench as a 16-year-old against Ludogorets in November 2020, before Alfie Devine beat that record a couple of months later.
Later that season Scarlett would become the youngest player since Kylian Mbappe to register an assist in the Europa League when he teed up Carlos Vinicius to score against Wolfsberger.
He got plenty of praise from the likes of Jose Mourinho and Antonio Conte over the coming seasons, but for one reason or another, loan moves to Portsmouth, Ipswich and Oxford didn't really bring the game time required despite little glimpses of what he can become.
With his first and last loans, managerial changes at struggling clubs did his cause no good while coming into a settled flying team at Ipswich had the opposite effect as there was little opportunity for him to break in.
When Spurs brought him back from Oxford this month, the original plan was to send him straight out on loan and he was not included in the initial Tottenham match squads. That's because for him to step on to the pitch for the club would mean playing for two sides this season and the rules state you cannot turn out for three in one campaign.
This week though Postecoglou made the decision to keep Scarlett around and allow Will Lankshear instead to head out on loan, both players getting half a season each in the first team set-up - and now both scoring.
"We had a look at his situation," Postecoglou told football.london of Scarlett. "He has had a couple of disappointing loans. I think sending him out again without any sort of real prospect of him developing, we just felt let’s keep him training with us and give him an opportunity to train with us and play with us and see how it goes."
Postecoglou admitted in his club interview that Scarlett did not return in the best condition from Oxford and has been working hard to get into the shape he needs to be for Tottenham's brand of football.
The 20-year-old is popular around the club and among his team-mates and there was clear delight for him when he rose to head home Kulusevski's cross before teeing up Ajayi for his own magic moment.
"I think they have to listen as young players, but the important thing is they come and give everything they can," said Kulusevski after the game before singling out the striker.
"They changed the game and I love Dane Scarlett a lot. I think he is a great player and I believe he will help us these months. It was a great goal so I’m very happy for him. Also the other players that scored, they have to give the energy now. We have a lot of injuries and they did an amazing job today."
Everyone believes in Scarlett at Tottenham and Mourinho once made it clear that he believed he would become an England player sooner rather than later.
The young striker has been making his mark with England U21s this season during a purple patch for Oxford and his country.
Now he has made his mark for Tottenham and it's down to him to realise all of the potential the top coaches and managers have spoken about. The key for the club is to develop him rather than rely on him and they still need to sign another attacker at least.
For Lankshear, the 19-year-old striker is set to head out on loan now. football.london understands that Burnley, Middlesbrough, West Brom, Cardiff and Luton are among those interested.
Clubs from abroad have also shown their interest, but Spurs are keen to get him playing in the Championship to continue to improve his development in a fast and physical league.
Scarlett and Lankshear have been on the scene for a little while now, but for Damola Ajayi, who became the 893rd player to appear in a Tottenham shirt, he has somewhat appeared from nowhere for those who prefer to keep a closer eye on the first team.
However, it's all come through hard work over recent seasons. The 19-year-old winger signed a new contract four weeks ago and this debut and goal, complete with surging run and fine finish, topped off a huge month in his career perfectly.
Ajayi has been growing in confidence through the U18s in recent seasons before enjoying a big 2023/24 campaign for Stuart Lewis' side with 24 goal involvements in 30 matches (16 goals and eight assists).
That brought a move up to Wayne Burnett's U21s this season at a tough time when many of the senior U21 players have left or headed out on loan.
The adaptation has duly taken a little while with three goals and one assist in 15 matches for them but he stepped up to a far bigger level and grabbed his chance for the first team on Thursday night, having been on the bench in the Premier League in the past couple of games.
Despite Brennan Johnson nearing a return, Ajayi has at least given himself a chance to be considered now late in games against tired defences with his confidence and direct play over the remaining months of the season.
His delight in not only his celebration but also his post-match interviews was clear to see as the teenager looked back at photos of him in the aftermath of the goal, marvelling at the fact that he was on the pitch with players like Kulusevski and Pedro Porro, let alone scoring on it.
It was left to Mikey Moore to put the seal on the night with the kind of goal that the 17-year-old has scored on countless occasions for the U18s in the past couple of seasons as he prefers those runs through the centre of the pitch.
The youngster had started the game well, gone through a sticky spell in the middle before finishing in style, later admitting that he cramped up in the celebrations after the run so was glad for the final whistle before the restart.
In that moment Moore had become the youngest English goalscorer in major European competition history, beating Jimmy Greaves by 73 days.
"I think [that goal will have a big impact on him]. I think he started the game really well but he had a bit of a struggle after that," said Postecoglou "But he’s 17 and that’s just part of his growth. Getting a goal will I'm sure give him confidence. He’s been good for us in this tournament and in the early part of it he was a big part of what we were doing.
"He’s 17 and if he keeps developing and we nurse him along and protect him along the way, he's got all the attributes to be an outstanding talent for us. He’ll remember tonight which is great. Scoring a goal at home and in Europe is great for him, but he knows he's still got a lot of work to do and we're going to help him."
It's noticeable just how confident Moore is on and off the pitch with life at this level. The three post-match club interviews with all the goalscorers were heartening to watch, with their clear delight, but it is the 17-year-old who is the most laid-back and assured of the lot in front of the cameras.
There's a touch of James Maddison about the way he casually talks and it's no coincidence, with the vice-captain looking to help the teenager this season on the training pitches with advice.
On such a big night for the academy, Postecoglou was asked whether the academy could be a way to get through the current problems.
"I don’t even know if we’ve got any more mate. I don’t know of many teams that are finishing European games like us with five or six teenagers on the field. It's a challenge for us, but credit to the lads. They’re just cracking on with it and the young boys are taking their opportunities," he said.
"They'll all bear fruit in time. This exposure we've given them, the growth they've made, I'm sure they’ll all be encouraged and I think the rest of the academy will too, the young players in there, because they've seen the players they're sharing a dressing room with scoring for Tottenham on a European night. I'm sure it'll give a boost to the whole place."
Postecoglou will be excited for the three youngsters but also wary that Tottenham must still bring in whatever transfer help they can for the squad in the remaining four days of the window.
He was asked if he was worried that Spurs might use this as an excuse to close the chequebook and the head coach laughed.
"Ha, no. I keep saying, it has been and still is a tough period in terms of our league form but there has been real growth, I believe. And it will all come to fruition at a point, I'm just so certain and bullish about that," he said. "The young players, the growth in our whole group is going to be enormous. It will be a fruit, I've got no doubt about that. Right now it's about trying to address the issues we've got at hand."
There is of course a certain irony that a number of the players that Tottenham are looking at in the transfer window continue to be teenagers, even if that's the policy that has played its part in worsening this situation with so few senior stars for Postecoglou to turn to.
The teenagers being looked at least have plenty of senior experience. Spurs are understood to have managed to get a verbal agreement with Bayern for a £50million (60million euros) move for Mathys Tel, and while that has put them in a strong position that is only half of the battle.
The 19-year-old is the subject of strong interest from many teams in Europe and particularly in the Premier League and is yet to decide on his destination.
That Spurs are looking to do a permanent deal will help their chances with Bayern and their director of sport Max Eberl confirmed the talks this week while saying: "It’s also about generating transfer revenue. Mathys is an incredibly sought-after player. Whether it will be a loan or a sale, we will discuss it in the coming days and hours."
Postecoglou was asked about Tel on Thursday night and would only say with a little grin at the play on words: "I can't tell you anything about Tel. I've been focusing on getting the team prepared tonight. Other people are working in the background. As I've said all along, I'm allowing them to get on with it and when and if there's any news I'm sure I'll find out."
Tel himself must decide whether he wants to leave Bayern entirely or simply on loan and if so where his destination will be, with Manchester United a strong contender in looking for an initial loan move.
Spurs can offer plenty of game time with the chance of silverware in three competitions at the moment but also a Premier League table that clearly shows their struggles.
The left winger, who can also play up front, has plenty of experience despite his age, having made 83 appearances for Bayern, with 16 goals and seven assists after his £25million move from Rennes in the summer of 2022.
Tel has bags of potential, with creativity and pace, but has found opportunities hard to come by this season under Vincent Kompany, with 14 appearances and one assist with no goals yet.
"I like the way he trains," said Harry Kane of the teenager after he kept impressing from the bench last season. "He's always pushing himself and is fully committed. Every time he came in he made a difference and is very confident."
Spurs are in the race for Tel but are battling as always with more powerful clubs for his signature.
There is also Tyler Dibling. The 18-year-old Southampton attacker is another highly-sought after teenager with Bayern among those looking at him with most of the Premier League.
Currently out with an ankle injury for a couple more weeks, Dibling has enjoyed a breakthrough season on the south coast with four goals and two assists in 24 matches, but it's unclear whether Southampton, who would ask big money for him, would allow him to move mid-season as they battle to remain in the Premier League.
Spurs have also moved to bolster their academy and the U21s with yet another 18-year-old in Manchester City's attacking midfielder Dan Batty. The midfielder, another Base client to add to the long list at Tottenham, has three goals and three assists from 10 games for City's U18s this season and will join the north London club's academy on a free transfer with the likelihood of some compensation being required.
For now Postecoglou needs senior recruits and extra bodies. Technical director Johan Lange's quiet way of working - some might suggest too quiet this window - will likely throw up further candidates in the final days and, if serious, Dragusin's injury might well necessitate another short-term centre-back being looked at unless Gray is to continue to play that role.
The academy boys did the club proud on Thursday night but Postecoglou and Tottenham need senior help in the days ahead to ensure this transfer window does not become as disastrously seismic as the empty ones in that pivotal 2018/19 season when the club should have pushed on. All eyes are on chairman Daniel Levy, Lange and the powers-that-be and whether they have learned from past mistakes.
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