Premier League 2
Tottenham Hotspur U21 0
Leeds United U21 3 (Thomas 2’, 45’; Mullen 75’)
Tottenham: Maguire (GK), KcKnight (Robson 61’), Linton, Dorrington (King 46’), Cassanova (C), Hall, Ajayi, Black (Kyerematen 61’), Williams, Olusesi (Andiyapan 76’), Akhamrich. Subs not used: Bloedorn (GK).
Leeds: Christy (GK), Cresswell, Richards (Lopata-White 68’), Crew, Monteiro (Moore 31’), Chambers (Chadwick 46’), Coleman (C), Thomas, McFadden (Toulson 61’), Vincent, Mullen. Subs not used: Baird (GK).
Venue: Hotspur Way Training Ground
Referee: Paul Marsden
Booked: Dorrington, Robson (Tottenham) Thomas (Leeds)
A stunning performance in North London saw Leeds United Under-21s thrash last season’s Premier League 2 champions Tottenham Hotspur Under-21s, with a Luca Thomas brace and second-half Jeremiah Mullen header capping off a stellar display from the Whites.
A side clearly intent on bouncing back from defeat last time out, Leeds set the tone from the first whistle and within moments were on the front foot in the capital.
Joe Richards’ searching ball down the left flank caused all sorts of problems for the visitors and, before they could clear, great pressing from the Whites, today in yellow, resulted in Harvey Vincent forcing a fine save from Aaron Maguire.
The Spurs’ stopper could only parry the way of Thomas however, who needed no invitation to sweep home an opener inside two minutes!
The early inroads from Scott Gardner’s side continued down the left flank, and the visitors again worked it into Thomas on the edge of the area. Looking to pick out the top corner, the in-form forward let fly, but saw his powerful strike charged down by a Tottenham defender.
A first involvement from Sam Chambers then saw the creative midfielder drive at the heart of the hosts’ defence and he laid it off for Cian Coleman to strike, with the captain on the day stinging the palms of Maguire from distance.
Keen to stop the one-way traffic, Wayne Burnett’s side ventured forward themselves down their left, but great positioning from Mullen saw the defender hack Yusuf Akhamrich’s dangerous low cross away from danger.
The Spurs’ forward was again involved moments later, with Charlie Crew this time well placed to prevent Jaden Williams an opening at the back post.
As the London outfit began to enjoy longer spells of possession approaching the half-hour mark, Williams then drew a fine save from Harry Christy, before firing over from a narrow angle under pressure from Monteiro.
Leeds again threatened down the left after soaking up the pressure, as the impressive Vincent darted into the box and slid an enticing delivery across the face of goal. Thomas looked to set to bundle home, only for a superb intervention from Jahziah Linton as Spurs survived.
Controversy then descended as referee Paul Marsden awarded Leeds an indirect free-kick, after Maguire picked the ball up following a stumbling challenge from a white shirt.
A few yards out and seeing the goalline packed with 11 Tottenham shirts, Max McFadden touched the ball for Thomas to strike, which was ultimately charged down by Tyrese Hall.
The forward wasn’t to be denied a second before the break however and he doubled the Whites’ lead on the stroke of half-time.
A fantastic low pass from Kris Moore found the run of Alfie Cresswell down the right, who in turn crossed low for the onrushing Thomas to confidently fire home into the corner beyond the despairing dive of Maguire!
HALF TIME: Tottenham Hotspur U21 0-2 Leeds United U21
Brought on at the interval, Rhys Chadwick was immediately involved in the action as Scott Gardner’s side hunted for a third.
The midfielder picked out Thomas inside the area, who produced a magnificent piece of skill to flick the ball over the head of a Tottenham defender and turn, volleying inches wide of what would have been a memorable hat-trick goal.
Then dropping deep moments later, the Leeds number nine sprayed a fizzing pass wide for Vincent, who evaded the challenge of Maxwell McKnight and looked to return the favour as he crossed looking for Thomas, which Hall hacked away as the forward waited to pounce.
Just before the hour mark, Tottenham had their clearest sight of goal yet, with a marauding run from Williams seeing the attacker rattle the foot of the woodwork from close range.
Vincent, enjoying his afternoon out on the left, almost added a third for the Whites as he led an electric break over half-way, twisting and turning before eventually drawing a fine save from Maguire as he looked to pick out the top corner from distance.
Frantically searching for a route back into the game, Akhamrich profited on a loose pass and tried to find Williams at the back post, with Moore on hand to avert the danger for the Whites.
Latching onto a lofted ball inside the area, Hall then flicked an audacious effort over Harry Christy, but luckily for the visitors, Coleman raced back to clear.
More bright play thanks to Vincent’s creativity down the left won Leeds a corner with 15 minutes left to play as they looked to put the tie to bed.
And how the visitors would profit, when Mullen rose highest to expertly glance Chadwick’s enticing in-swinging delivery into the far corner!
Christy, who hadn’t seen much action throughout the afternoon, made two fine diving saves low to his right to parry away well-struck efforts late on, ensuring Gardner’s side held on to a thoroughly deserved clean sheet as Marsden’s whistle sounded for full-time.