VAVEL

After playing twice a week with a squad that was down to barebones for the two busiest months of the season, it's no surprise that Ange Postecoglou has graciously welcomed back a number of key players to the squad in recent weeks. He praised them heavily ahead of his side's clash with Manchester City at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Wednesday night.

Not only have they had a great impact on the squad now that they are back training and playing, but the results have also improved on the pitch in the Premier League, with Tottenham Hotspur winning their last three now that a number of the core members of the squad have returned.

"I think the last couple of games in particular have certainly given us encouragement in terms of just being able to re-energise the group. Whether that is the guys who worked really hard through that period where we were really challenged or the guys coming back in. There is just a real good energy around it.

"The guys who missed out have been really keen to contribute and you have seen the enthusiasm that, Vicario, Brennan at the weekend, Maddison coming back in, Destiny, these guys have bought. It has helped the rest of the group. I think we have benefitted from that with the two weeks we have had of no midweek games. So all of those things and then you get two wins which makes people feel good and is something for us to build on."

James Maddison went straight back into the lineup and scored the winner in the 1-0 victory over Manchester United before registering an assist from the bench at Ipswich Town, whilst Brennan Johnson returned to the starting lineup for that win over The Tractor Boys and bagged a brace to make it 17 goals and assists in all competitions so far this season.

During the 4-1 win at Portman Road, Spurs also welcomed Destiny Udogie back in the XI after injury, allowing Pedro Porro to get some much-needed rest after the Spaniard had played over 1700 minutes since November 22nd.

Fianlly, the squad has some leaders back in, with vice-captain James Maddison and Guglielmo Vicario - who has also sported the armband on numerous occasions throughout the campaign - playing a pivotal role amongst the group.

It's no coincidence that The Lilywhites' form has began to pick up now important players are back, having both an impact in the changing room and on the pitch, allowing those who exerted everything over a two-and-a-half month period to get some well-deserved rest, aiding the team as they enter the business end of the season where they will look to improve their league position and try to end the club's 17-year trophy drought in the UEFA Europa League.

Johnson crucial for Tottenham

With the Welshman arriving back into the side with a bang, Postecoglou was full of praise for the former Nottingham Forest winger, who he stated offered a unique skillset in his team.

“Brennan Johnson is really good for us. We don't really have another front third player like him," said the Spurs boss in Wednesday's pre-match press conference.

Last season, Johnson scored multiple goals from arriving into the box late on and running onto a low cross before finishing, including a 96th-minute winner against Brighton, and it has become a trademark for the speedy winger who has scored various goals in a very similar fashion in what has so far been a stellar campaign for him.

Having arrived from the Midlands in a £50m deal on Deadline Day in the 2023 summer window, he scored five goals and registered ten assists in his maiden season in North London, whilst this term he has already trumped those figures, contributing to 17 goals (14G, 3A).

The way in which he scores is almost unstoppable, with Johnson hanging back and waiting for the perfect moment to pounce unmarked at the back post and find the back of the net, as he did on two separate occasions in the win over Ipswich on Saturday, and Postecoglou absolutely loves what he has to offer.

Another ex-Forest star excelling

Brennan Johnson isn't the only former Reds man who has starred in what has been an inconsistent campaign for Tottenham.

"As I said last week, he's been outstanding, he continues to be outstanding. The challenge for Djed [Spence] is to keep going, not to be satisfied with what he's got now and with the same hunger and attitude that he's taken his opportunity.

"As you said, that's all you can sort of provide is an opportunity, he needs now to make sure that he doesn't look back from that and keeps pushing on, because he's got so still so much I think growth in him and potential. He hasn't really been settled in his career apart from the year at Forest, where he really had some great form, but since then it's been stop-start for him or he's just got to ensure now that now that he's up and running, he keeps going."

Spence filled in at full-back during Spurs' 5-0 win at Southampton - his first Premier League start for the club, despite joining in July 2022, in December and hasn't looked back since, starting every league and Carabao Cup match which he has been available for.

Tottenham, or pardon the language, Tottenham Hotspur, sit in a measly twelfth ahead of their third match against Manchester City this campaign.

Yet the four-time-consecutive Premier League Champions prepare themselves for a visit to London without a win against Spurs so far this season.

It was a 4-0 condemning in November during the early miserable period, but a month earlier, the Lilywhites knocked Pep Guardiola's side out of the Carabao Cup.

The only domestic hope is a top-four finish after Liverpool routinely dispatched two at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday.

But a win at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium could easily encourage a group of players who have only succeeded once since the stadium opened in 2019: in a decisive title-deciding match in the penultimate game of last season.

Ahead of tomorrow's encounter, Pep Guardiola delivered ever-astute praise of his counterpart Ange Postecoglou and his side.

“They are a fantastic team, [they have] always had individual quality," said the Man City head coach.

"The rhythm they play, the intensity, incredible runners, transitions but I've seen lately that they pause and have done more passes in the final third, especially when Maddison plays.

"Results dictate one thing but my opinion of the team is completely opposite.”

Erling Haaland has been missing since his no-show from the bench in the second leg against Real Madrid.

His absence has been felt up top, with Manchester City lacking physicality and goals in the final third.

Reports suggested the Norweigan would be available for tomorrow, but his Catalan manager failed to confirm.

Guardiola said on Haaland: "Tonight we will know after training. I hope [he will be fit] but I don’t know yet. He feels better but in the last two games, he could not play. We’ll see tomorrow."

Impact of new signings

While the trajectory of results has not drastically improved, the plethora of business Manchester City completed in January has rejuvenated the team in certain aspects.

Their results against Real Madrid and Liverpool should not be judged; that is asking too much of an underwhelming team.

Instead, the performances against Newcastle and Chelsea should be fondly looked upon, a sign that the new signings can be impactful and impose their quality against physical opposition.

When asked about how well the new faces are settling in, the Manchester City boss was more than pleased.

“Really good for the short time since they’ve been training," said Guardiola.

"Khusanov arrived and played vs Chelsea, Newcastle, Real Madrid, and Liverpool. Tough and difficult schedules from where he comes from.

For the lack of communication, [he] still cant speak fluent English. Omar [played instantly] as well, Nico a bit less but very happy [with them]," he added.

Robert Vilahamn has described Tottenham Hotspur's new and upcoming women's training centre as potentially the "best training facilities in Europe."

Tottenham were given approval by Enfield Council on Tuesday to build a new training ground for their women’s team despite campaigners arguing the development will destroy a section of Whitewebbs Park.

Enfield Council decided to grant a 25-year lease to the football club, and said the development would include "improving the surrounding parkland landscape".

The area will include 11 new pitches and a clubhouse. The proposed site is west of Spurs' current training ground and, according to council documents, will restore around 23 hectares of historic parkland.

Vilahamn, who was speaking ahead of Spurs' North London Derby against Arsenal, was delighted with the news.

"I think this is more important than finishing top five or four this season," he told VAVEL. "Sometimes we always look at 'how much do Tottenham invest in the women's team? Are they actually investing and what's the aim for this season?'

"What Tottenham is doing is building an organic journey where we look at training facilities. We will probably have the best training facilities in Europe, perhaps in the world for the academy and women's team. That's massive and it's a big investment.

"We are 'one club' and are building it next to the men's facilities. We will use this space which is connected so much to Tottenham and Enfield. We are showing why we are staying and what's our identity. For me, that's brilliant news.

"Even if it's in a few years and if I am here for that, it doesn't really matter. I am part of this journey where we show that Tottenham is a men's and women's team who have the same experiences and facilities. That should be big news."

The Swede continued by suggesting that it shows that Spurs are on course to eventually fight for major trophies. While they have not made tangible progress this season, the former Hacken manager remains confident that they are on the right journey after this news.

"It shows how Tottenham want to win trophies," he told the site. "We want to make sure we educate those players [young Lionesses] to make sure they become Lionesses.

"Look at what Tottenham is trying to do in the long run for the women's game. That's impressive and [as] a role model in this country [we have to] make sure we invest.

"And the academy as well. There are not too many girls academies that have the right standards and facilities in this country."

Plans for the new training ground were described by Spurs striker and captain Bethany England as a "once-in-a-generation opportunity" on Tuesday, reaffirming the club's commitment to competing with the Women's Super League's best sides.

"This facility would provide our professional squad and local women and girls with the same opportunities to succeed as our male counterparts," club captain England said at the meeting via the Enfield Dispatch.

“We need this facility to compete with the very best teams. This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity. I want to see the next generation of WSL stars coming to Enfield.”

After exiting two cup competitions in three days, Ange Postecoglou’s stance as Tottenham manager is facing real uncertainty, with the club just 10 points clear of the drop zone.

Upcoming opponents Manchester United have too suffered, in what is set to be their worst points tally in the Premier League era. The Red Devils sit one place and two points above Tottenham, having gained 29 points from 24 games. This means they are on course to acquire 46 points at the end of the season - their previous lowest was 58 in the 2021/22 campaign.

Underwhelming performances and lack of consistency means both teams approach Sunday's game in very similar situations. However, the manor in which the teams have ended up in these circumstances is much different.

Tottenham have showcased extremely contrasting displays in many of their performances this season - with six out of eight of their wins being by a three goal margin or more. Simultaneously, they have been defeated 13 times. Only the bottom four in the Premier League have each had more losses.

This has caused intense frustration among the fans, as the team has proven it's potential high capabilities, including remarkable victories away to both Manchester sides. However, the standard in these performances has been far too spare, to the point where much of the fan base has lost faith in Postecoglou - the man who seemed to have transformed Tottenham's fortunes, just 14 months ago.

Two stubborn managers - whose tactical approach will give their team the upper hand?

Ruben Amorim has persisted with the 3-4-3 formation that brought him so much success at the helm of Sporting Lisbon. Though, so far at Man United, his troubled squad have had difficulty emulating that.

This set up allows for the full backs to have more freedom offensively, this seems to have worked far better on the right wing than it has the left. Noussair Mazraoui and Amad Diallo have enjoyed this system that allows the pair to link up regularly in attacking phases of play. The pair are considered as the Red Devils most impressive players this season, displaying fine form even when their team has struggled to showcase its quality.

On the other hand, Diogo Dalot and Alejandro Garnacho have not adapted as well to the setup, which is much different from their previous managers' Erik Ten Hag. Man United seem to often be exposed in this area of the pitch and Amorim has received criticism for his reluctance to adjust his approach - which some players are clearly struggling with.

Having the third centre back means that the two centre midfielders are often being overran, this was exploited by Crystal Palace numerous times in the build up to many of the opportunities they created in their 2-0 victory at Old Trafford two weeks ago.

Tottenham meanwhile, have conceded many goals in which they have been dispossessed when playing out from the back. Despite this being a recurring issue, Postecoglou is adamant that the tactic will pay dividends at some point, even though it has been one of the main culprits for Tottenham's vast array of defeats.

In fact, two of the goals Tottenham conceded in their 4-3 Carabao Cup win against Man United in December were due to two calamitous goalkeeping mistakes when trying to execute this style of play.

Aside from these two goals conceded, Tottenham were much the better side the last time these sides met, as they were when they demolished Man United at Old Trafford in September. This time round though, they have no Dominic Solanke, who has scored in each of his previous four games against Amorim's side. This may come at a major cost to Tottenham as they bid to increase their distance from the relegation zone.

Returning Tottenham players a significant boost to squad depth

Guglielmo Vicario, Destiny Udogie, James Maddison, Brennan Johnson and Timo Werner are all rumoured to be preparing for a return to first team action to somewhat ease Tottenham's injury crisis.

Tottenham have been forced to give game time to an abundance of teenagers and academy graduates due to the constant injuries suffered by senior players. Archie Gray has played in three different positions in his 17 Premier League appearances, none of them being his preferred number eight role.

Lucas Bergvall and Mikey Moore have also increasingly been gaining minutes on the pitch, but their lack of experience has been evident. Both youngsters have displayed spells of superb of quality, each picking up their first Tottenham goals in the past month but have at times lacked final product and been wasteful in possession.

Not only will the returning players be vital additions to Tottenham's current squad, but it will allow much needed rotation for many of those who have been forced to start multiple games consecutively for the entirety of the winter.

Potential first Premier League double for Tottenham over Manchester United since 1989/90

In recent years, Tottenham have enjoyed much success over their upcoming opponents. A stark comparison to their fortunes against the Red Devils in the 2000s.

Victory on Sunday would not only be the first Premier League double the Lilywhites have completed over Man United in 35 years. It would be a third triumph for Tottenham this season, having gained a 7-3 aggregate over Man United in the two encounters prior.

Postecoglou's first home game came against Man United in August 2023, where his side were vastly superior and ran away deserved 2-0 winners. Back then, the attitude surrounding Tottenham was highly optimistic. Now though, a win would take them to just 30 points, in what will be their 25th outing.

Tottenham Hotspur collected their first Premier League win of 2025, with a 2-0 victory over Brentford that showed plenty of character and desire.

A calamitous own goal from Vitaly Janelt gave Spurs a lead to protect before Pape Matar Sarr sealed the victory with a clever finish in the closing stages.

Yesterday’s success was Tottenham’s first taste of triumph in the league since thrashing struggling Southampton 5-0 back in December. Since that win on the South Coast, Ange Postecoglou’s side lost six matches and also failed to beat Wolves at home.

The positives extend beyond the three points, as they also kept their fifth clean sheet of the campaign - with four of them surprisingly coming away from N17.

It is the perfect boost for the Lilywhites ahead of the crucial second leg Carabao Cup semi-final encounter against Liverpool on Thursday.

Every single individual adorning the Tottenham jersey did the badge proud at the Gtech Community Stadium. Here’s four things we learnt from that vital win.

Ben Davies deserves a new deal

Ben Davies was instrumental in earning the clean sheet against the Bees as he commanded the entire backline, with particular guidance given to centre-half partner Archie Gray. The 18-year-old continues to play in the unfamiliar position due to the injuries to Micky van de Ven, Cristian Romero and most recently Radu Dragusin.

The Welshman’s bravery and durable mentality inspired his teammates around him and the Lilywhites look considerably more resolute and structurally organised with Davies on the pitch.

At full-time, the defender was seen demanding his players into a huddle. The nature of the win feels as if it could be a turning point for Tottenham’s season, especially with two pivotal cup fixtures coming up in the next week.

The most commendable aspect of Davies’ recent showings is how comfortable he has looked after a rushed return from injury. He spent five weeks on the side-lines after damaging his hamstring against Bournemouth and, due to the lack of defensive options, the 31-year-old was forced to come straight back into the side.

The former Swansea City player has been employed by Tottenham for well over a decade and this summer his contract expires. The general consensus around the fanbase is that if the club fail to offer Davies a new deal, it will be a grave mistake. His wisdom, courage and all-round professionalism warrants at least one more year spent fighting for the badge.

Silky Spence delivers again

When the going gets tough, you really get to understand who the important players are in your squad.

The unprecedented injury crisis has undeniably derailed Tottenham’s season. But the silver lining is the opportunities it has presented to players on the peripheries.

Djed Spence has emerged as one of Tottenham’s best players during the tough period, with his all-encompassing displays at either side of the full-back position.

On Sunday afternoon, the Englishman was deservedly awarded Player of the Match for reducing the talented Bryan Mbeumo to very little chances.

His athletic build allows him to shrug off opponents with ease and his technical ability enables him to make risky passes look simple. Tottenham sorely missed his presence in their humiliating 2-1 defeat to Leicester.

After another immaculate showing, Spence has made an immense claim to retain his spot in the starting berth, even when the unavailable players regain full fitness.

It seems almost inconceivable now that Spence wasn’t chosen in Tottenham’s Europa League squad back in the summer, despite being versatile, home-grown and, well, very good.

Raw Moore needs time

The teenager has been labelled as a generational talent by the Spurs fanbase due to his awe-inspiring performances in the Tottenham and England youth setups.

Now, I am not disputing the notion that Mikey Moore is destined for greatness with the winger showing several flashes to back up the claims. On Thursday, he became the youngest ever Spurs player to net in a European competition at the tender age of 17 years and 172 days old. Moore broke the 68-year record held by the legendary Jimmy Greaves with a stoppage-time strike against Elfsborg in the Europa League.

Despite the Englishman playing a demanding 95 minutes in midweek Postecoglou persisted with his trust by starting him against Brentford.

The short recovery period took a toll as it was an ineffective display from Moore, who struggled to deal with the physical demands of the contest. He was often bullied off the ball by the likes of Kristoffer Ajer and Nathan Collins, with the latter taking a more bullish approach to the youngster. Spurs’ number 47 appealed for a penalty after Collins had pushed him inside the box, but referee Jarred Gillett deemed the contact was legal.

Postecoglou chose to bring on Lucas Bergvall at the break and Moore was the player to make way.

It proved to be the correct decision by the Australian. Not only were Tottenham more dynamic in transition with Dejan Kulusevski allowed to drift out wide, but defensively they were much more formidable. Bergvall added a certain energy that Moore didn’t seem to have, which makes complete sense considering his shift on Thursday.

Postecoglou needs to nurture Moore carefully to ensure he doesn’t expose the youngster too quickly to the harsh conditions of Premier League football. At the moment, Moore is arguably too lightweight, but a few more years of development should see him transform into one of the league’s most dangerous forwards.

Dane Scarlett could prove to be a useful option

Alongside Moore, Scarlett was another Tottenham academy graduate that propelled themselves into the hearts of the Spurs faithful during midweek.

The striker opened the scoring against Elfsborg as he stooped low to head past the Swedish outfit. His appearance for the club meant he couldn’t go back out on loan, after having a temporary spell with Oxford United in the first half of the campaign.

After gathering a multitude of experience in the lower leagues, the 20-year-old has returned as a player much more acclimatised to senior football.

The striker enjoyed a brief cameo yesterday afternoon, as he replaced the tiring Richarlison. Scarlett pressured the opposition well and brought an injection of vitality that was desperately needed.

Scarlett chasing Sepp van den Berg for the ball (PHOTO CREDIT: Getty Images/ Richard Heathcote)

With Dominic Solanke out injured for at least the next few weeks, Scarlett will undoubtedly be appearing more times for his boyhood club.

Tottenham Hotspur collected their first Premier League win of 2025, with a 2-0 victory over Brentford that showed plenty of character and desire.

A calamitous own goal from Vitaly Janelt gave Spurs a lead to protect before Pape Matar Sarr sealed the victory with a clever finish in the closing stages.

Yesterday’s success was Tottenham’s first taste of triumph in the league since thrashing struggling Southampton 5-0 back in December. Since that win on the South Coast, Ange Postecoglou’s side lost six matches and also failed to beat Wolves at home.

The positives extend beyond the three points, as they also kept their fifth clean sheet of the campaign - with four of them surprisingly coming away from N17.

It is the perfect boost for the Lilywhites ahead of the crucial second leg Carabao Cup semi-final encounter against Liverpool on Thursday.

Every single individual adorning the Tottenham jersey did the badge proud at the Gtech Community Stadium. Here’s four things we learnt from that vital win.

Ben Davies deserves a new deal

Ben Davies was instrumental in earning the clean sheet against the Bees as he commanded the entire backline, with particular guidance given to centre-half partner Archie Gray. The 18-year-old continues to play in the unfamiliar position due to the injuries to Micky van de Ven, Cristian Romero and most recently Radu Dragusin.

The Welshman’s bravery and durable mentality inspired his teammates around him and the Lilywhites look considerably more resolute and structurally organised with Davies on the pitch.

At full-time, the defender was seen demanding his players into a huddle. The nature of the win feels as if it could be a turning point for Tottenham’s season, especially with two pivotal cup fixtures coming up in the next week.

The most commendable aspect of Davies’ recent showings is how comfortable he has looked after a rushed return from injury. He spent five weeks on the side-lines after damaging his hamstring against Bournemouth and, due to the lack of defensive options, the 31-year-old was forced to come straight back into the side.

The former Swansea City player has been employed by Tottenham for well over a decade and this summer his contract expires. The general consensus around the fanbase is that if the club fail to offer Davies a new deal, it will be a grave mistake. His wisdom, courage and all-round professionalism warrants at least one more year spent fighting for the badge.

Silky Spence delivers again

When the going gets tough, you really get to understand who the important players are in your squad.

The unprecedented injury crisis has undeniably derailed Tottenham’s season. But the silver lining is the opportunities it has presented to players on the peripheries.

Djed Spence has emerged as one of Tottenham’s best players during the tough period, with his all-encompassing displays at either side of the full-back position.

On Sunday afternoon, the Englishman was deservedly awarded Player of the Match for reducing the talented Bryan Mbeumo to very little chances.

His athletic build allows him to shrug off opponents with ease and his technical ability enables him to make risky passes look simple. Tottenham sorely missed his presence in their humiliating 2-1 defeat to Leicester.

After another immaculate showing, Spence has made an immense claim to retain his spot in the starting berth, even when the unavailable players regain full fitness.

It seems almost inconceivable now that Spence wasn’t chosen in Tottenham’s Europa League squad back in the summer, despite being versatile, home-grown and, well, very good.

Raw Moore needs time

The teenager has been labelled as a generational talent by the Spurs fanbase due to his awe-inspiring performances in the Tottenham and England youth setups.

Now, I am not disputing the notion that Mikey Moore is destined for greatness with the winger showing several flashes to back up the claims. On Thursday, he became the youngest ever Spurs player to net in a European competition at the tender age of 17 years and 172 days old. Moore broke the 68-year record held by the legendary Jimmy Greaves with a stoppage-time strike against Elfsborg in the Europa League.

Despite the Englishman playing a demanding 95 minutes in midweek Postecoglou persisted with his trust by starting him against Brentford.

The short recovery period took a toll as it was an ineffective display from Moore, who struggled to deal with the physical demands of the contest. He was often bullied off the ball by the likes of Kristoffer Ajer and Nathan Collins, with the latter taking a more bullish approach to the youngster. Spurs’ number 47 appealed for a penalty after Collins had pushed him inside the box, but referee Jarred Gillett deemed the contact was legal.

Postecoglou chose to bring on Lucas Bergvall at the break and Moore was the player to make way.

It proved to be the correct decision by the Australian. Not only were Tottenham more dynamic in transition with Dejan Kulusevski allowed to drift out wide, but defensively they were much more formidable. Bergvall added a certain energy that Moore didn’t seem to have, which makes complete sense considering his shift on Thursday.

Postecoglou needs to nurture Moore carefully to ensure he doesn’t expose the youngster too quickly to the harsh conditions of Premier League football. At the moment, Moore is arguably too lightweight, but a few more years of development should see him transform into one of the league’s most dangerous forwards.

Dane Scarlett could prove to be a useful option

Alongside Moore, Scarlett was another Tottenham academy graduate that propelled themselves into the hearts of the Spurs faithful during midweek.

The striker opened the scoring against Elfsborg as he stooped low to head past the Swedish outfit. His appearance for the club meant he couldn’t go back out on loan, after having a temporary spell with Oxford United in the first half of the campaign.

After gathering a multitude of experience in the lower leagues, the 20-year-old has returned as a player much more acclimatised to senior football.

The striker enjoyed a brief cameo yesterday afternoon, as he replaced the tiring Richarlison. Scarlett pressured the opposition well and brought an injection of vitality that was desperately needed.

Scarlett chasing Sepp van den Berg for the ball (PHOTO CREDIT: Getty Images/ Richard Heathcote)

With Dominic Solanke out injured for at least the next few weeks, Scarlett will undoubtedly be appearing more times for his boyhood club.

On a night when nothing other than a victory was acceptable for Tottenham Hotspur, their academy stars thrived to score three excellent goals to see The Lilywhites automatically progress to the Round of 16 in the UEFA Europa League.

Despite dominating possession, Spurs were unable to find a way through until the 70th minute, as Dane Scarlett, recently recalled from a loan at Championship side Oxford United, headed home after a Dejan Kulusevski cross to score his first competitive goal in lily-white.

Damola Ajayi doubled the lead just three minutes into his debut for the club before Mikey Moore continued his excellent run of form to score his first goal in a Tottenham shirt, rounding off events with a great low finish after a superb mazy run.

Here are four things we learnt from the 3-0 victory at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Academy thriving

On his third appearance since making his debut in January, Brandon Austin kept a clean sheet for the first-ever time as a Spurs player, keeping momentum on two previous impressive performances.

The goalkeeper was one of just two Hotspur Way graduates in the starting lineup but it was two from the substitute bench who had a huge impact on the outcome of the tie.

Scarlett replaced the injured Radu Dragusin and took just five minutes to break the deadlock on the night as he confidently scored from a sublime cross by Kulusevski - who also made a difference after coming on at half-time.

Things haven't been easy for Scarlett recently. After numerous disappointing loan spells, he returned to the squad for Thursday night's clash and scored his first competitive goal in his eighteenth appearance for the club.

The striker then went on to assist Damola Ajayi, who scored less than 180 seconds into his first senior appearance for the club. The winger, who has been a mainstay in the starting lineup for the Under-21s, drove inside at speed before playing a one-two with Scarlett and then fired past Isak Pettersson to double the lead.

Mikey Moore wrapped up another promising display with a goal in added time, meaning he has now added three goal contributions to his name in just 177 minutes of football, as he continues to impress fans.

The performance is a testament, not only to the sheer hard work of the players and their families, who will be over the moon with what they saw tonight, but also to every member of the academy who has coached and guided them through their time in N17 and Ange Postecoglou for trusting them and throwing them into the side.

Keep the trust in Ange

Eyebrows were raised as Posteccoglou flung Micky van de Ven straight back into the lineup, but the plan worked and so did his other readjustments throughout the game, as Tottenham eased to victory.

Elfsborg made the night comfortable for Spurs, gifting them time and space in possession with the hosts quicker to react to every loose ball and despite a goalless first half, they were dominant.

At half time, three planned substitutes took place, with van de Ven - who completed the first half with no issues on his return from injury - Heung-Min Son and Rodrigo Bentancur being replaced by Dragusin, Yves Bissouma and Kulusevski. The changes allowed certain players to get some much-needed rest ahead of the trip to Brentford on Sunday and a crucial week ahead in domestic cup competitions, whilst it also brought some added pace to attacking plays and added a different dimension to the team.

When Dragusin went down 16 minutes after coming on, Postecoglou ordered Scarlett to get stripped and ready to come on, rather than throwing 16-year-old Malachi Hardy into the deep end in a must-win European tie which was deadlocked.

The Australian changed the structure of the side, deploying Pape Sarr at left back and moving Richarlison out wide and the tactical adjustments seemingly worked when the 20-year-old striker scored the breakthrough goal almost instantly.

Spurs' head coach then continued to put faith in the youth, with Ajayi coming on to double the scoreline, before Mikey Moore became the youngest Englishman to score in a major European competition since the legendary Jimmy Greaves in 1957, rounding off a superb night in North London.

A heap of sensible plans for overused players, tactical re-shuffling and confidence in the youth saw Tottenham progress to the Round of 16 without having to play two extra games in the play-off round.

Tables turning for Scarlett

A Player of the Match performance from Dane Scarlett, who scored the opener and then claimed an assist for the second inside 20 minutes after coming on, could prove to be a turning point for the England Under-21 forward.

Having gone through several underwhelming terms with EFL clubs, the striker was recalled from the Kassam Stadium by Spurs just over a week ago and featured in a 20-man match day squad for the first time against Elfsborg last night.

The Englishman has previously shown glimpses of his talent, which was once talked about by Jose Mourinho in 2021 after he made his senior debut as a 16-year-old, with the Portuguese saying "he [Scarlett] is a diamond, a kid with incredible potential." However, he has never had a real shot at proving his worth.

"It was amazing. I have been waiting for that moment for a long time. I have been on loan and experienced men's football. I feel really good now. Ready to kick on. Very happy," said Scarlett when speaking to TNT Sports after the 3-0 win.

Despite scoring just four goals in 20 appearances in England's second tier during the first half of the campaign, he came on in the Europa League last night and took his opportunity with pride, which may finally give him a chance to kick on and prove his potential to the world.

Spurs progress automatically

The victory saw The Lilywhites qualify automatically for the final sixteen of the competition with a 4th-placed League Phase finish, meaning they will avoid two extra games in the Knockout Play-Off Round.

Despite not looking entirely positive throughout the eight-game phase, especially after a loss to Galatasaray and draws with AS Roma and Rangers, they did enough to secure their place in the top eight, meaning their next fixture in Europe will take place in March.

In the Round of 16, they will face one of four sides - a reunion with either Galatasaray or AZ Alkmaar, or a tie with either Denmark's FC Midtjylland or Spain's Real Sociedad. This is still unknown, with either Spurs or Manchester United being pitted against the winners of either play-off round tie in February.

Tottenham advanced into the last 16 of the Europa League courtesy of three magical moments from academy graduates.

Dane Scarlett, Damola Ajayi and Mikey Moore all netted their first goal for their boyhood club to see Ange Postecoglou’s side reach the knockout stages.

Scarlett nodded past Isak Pettersson in the 70th minute after being expertly found by an accurate Dejan Kulusevski delivery before turning provider for Spurs’ second.

The Englishman teed up fellow academy product Damola Ajayi who marked his first appearance for the Lilywhites with a precisely drilled finish.

The night for the academy prospects got even better in stoppage time when the highly rated Mikey Moore scored a fantastic solo effort.

Elfsborg posed very little threat to the Tottenham goal as the Allsvenskan side failed to register a shot on target.

A victory for Tottenham saw them finish in fourth position in the league phase. Here are the player ratings after a night where dreams were realised in North London.

Tottenham Player Ratings

Brandon Austin – 6

The stopper was untested for the entirety of the contest with Elfsborg opting to limit their forays forward.

Austin could’ve been forgiven for switching off due to lack of action but the 26-year-old swept up loose balls adequately when called upon.

Pedro Porro – 7

Porro combined well with Moore on the right hand side and was Tottenham’s biggest creative threat on the night.

The full-back’s attacking intent was persistent but somehow a teammate couldn’t provide the telling touch to his multitude of crosses.

Archie Gray – 6

The teenager continued to be deployed at centre-half and performed his role astutely.

He was rarely threatened by the opposition and his passes frequently found their desired target.

Micky van de Ven – 6.5

Micky van de Ven made such a difference to the backline with his strength, pace and aggression halting any rare attempts from the opposition to penetrate the backline.

The former Wolfsburg defender was one of the alterations at half-time with Postecoglou announcing in his pre-match press conference that his minutes would be monitored after a lengthy injury layoff.

Ben Davies – 6.5

Bombarded up the left-flank with athleticism that provided an option for Heung-min Son on the overlap.

Davies had the hosts’ first shot on target of the second period with a rasping strike from outside the box .

His seniority was necessary with Tottenham ending the game with a plethora of youth on the pitch.

Rodrigo Bentancur – 6.5

Bentancur looked an assured figure in the middle of the park with his intelligence and tenacity helping Spurs retain possession. The Uruguayan was one of three Spurs players to make way at half-time with Postecoglou making changes that were confirmed to be pre-planned ahead of a crucial week.

Pape Matar Sarr – 6

Sarr’s shot in the first half was valiantly blocked on the line by a combination of Elfsborg’s goalkeeper and defender Gustav Henriksson. The Senegalese was moving gingerly at the break but managed to complete the full 90 minutes.

Lucas Bergvall – 5.5

An erratic start to proceedings from the teenager included him losing possession countless of times through a lack of awareness and poor decision making. After flying into a challenge with Jalal Abdullai, Ange Postecoglou was animated as he tried to instil calm his midfielder.

Looked much more comfortable and composed after the break and came close to breaking the deadlock with a stooping header that was gathered by the Elfsborg goalkeeper. Picked up a customary yellow card late on for a petulant foul.

Mikey Moore – 7

Moore recorded his first goal for the club in spectacular fashion in what turned out to be the last highlight of the evening.

The teenager burst past the attention of two defenders before drilling into the bottom corner and deservedly soaking in the adulation from the Tottenham fans.

The Englishman was thwarted on a couple of occasions by Pettersson in the first half as the Swedish stopper reacted superbly to throw a strong palm at a few close-range efforts.

Richarlison – 6

Richarlison was a focal point up top and flung himself at a few crosses sent in his direction.

He curled an effort high and wide of the target with ten minutes remaining of the first period but was hindered from making an impact in the second half by the Elfsborg defence.

Heung-min Son – 7.5

Shades of the Heung-min Son of old was emerging in the first half with an assortment of tricks that terrorised Elfsborg’s right wing-back Simon Hedlund.

The Spurs captain delivered numerous dangerous crosses into his teammates after evading his marker with ball rolls, stepovers and body feints.

The South Korean was unlucky not to pick up an assist with goalkeeper Pettersson denying several shots Son had created. He was taken off at the interval with Postecoglou protecting his skipper during their congested schedule.

Substitutes

Radu Dragusin – N/A

The Romanian was introduced at the break but only lasted 20 minutes before being forced off the pitch.

After engaging with Abdulllai, Dragusin’s knee appeared to buckle following an uncomfortable landing and the defender immediately signalled to the bench. The grimace on his face told the whole story as the defender looked in extreme discomfort.

Yves Bissouma – 6

The Malian returned to action after missing the last fortnight with a knock picked up in January's North London derby defeat.

Postecoglou was left with no choice but to change his formation to a back three after Dragusin's forced departure and Bissouma did well to protect the disjointed backline.

Dejan Kulusevski – 7.5

Kulusevski rejuvenated a Tottenham team that was lacking a cutting edge to help his side eventually cruise to victory.

It was the Swede’s undefendable cross that allowed Scarlett to break the deadlock and his physicality helped Spurs retain possession in the final third.

Dane Scarlett – 8

Scarlett reintroduced himself to the Tottenham faithful in heroic fashion as he headed home the opening goal.

Scarlett replaced the injured Dragusin with 25 minutes to play – a cameo which means the striker can't go back out on loan for the remainder of the campaign.

The England U-19 was recalled from his loan at Championship outfit Oxford United due to not being given the desired minutes.

However, with Tottenham chasing a goal, Scarlett was brought on to add another attacking presence alongside Richarlison.

The 20-year-old connected with Kulusevski’s perfect pick-out to finally breach Pettersson’s net. That moment could prove pivotal in Scarlett’s Tottenham career.

The striker than assisted Ajayi with a cushioned pass into the forward’s path.

Damola Ajayi – 8

The 19-year-old scored within three minutes of his senior debut with a finish that exceeded his tender age.

The winger gathered the ball off Scarlett with authority and confidence and drove at the defence before finding the bottom corner.

Ajayi has been on the peripheries of the senior team over the last few months, but he may have played his way into Postecoglou’s plans with that stirring debut display.

As the curtain closes on their debut in the inaugural Swiss League Phase format in the UEFA Europa League, Tottenham Hotspur boss Ange Postecoglou sat down in front of the media to preview his side's clash with Swedish side IF Elfsborg.

The Lilywhites' availability has taken a further battering since their last European outing a week ago, but their Head Coach continued to remain upbeat and delivered a message to Spurs fans ahead of Thursday's clash at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

"My message would be to all Spurs fans, because I represent them all, not just the angry ones that you are referring to or maybe talking to. All Spurs fans. We are working hard to turn this around. Obviously we know the situation, notwithstanding the fact the possibilities and opportunities in the second half of this season are still very much in our hands to capitalise on and still make it a successful season."

Pressure building, or not...

Tottenham require a win to automatically progress to the round of 16 without having to play a two-legged play-off match in early February; this result would mean they do not have to rely on anyone else's outcome. Whilst a draw might be enough, that would mean waiting to see what happens elsewhere.

"Me, personally? No different to any other game. It’s a game I want to win and we go into it with the same intent. It’s a competition we have done really well in to be in a great position. We want to solidify that position and finish in the top eight. That’s in our hands tomorrow night. A win makes it certain, a draw is probably going to be good enough as well.

"Finishing in the top eight for us is hugely important because it gives us a good foothold in the tournament and also gives us a couple of weeks where we don’t have midweek games, which at this point is really important."

As the Australian mentioned, the potential of an extra two midweek games would be hugely detrimental to his side, but a victory will see them go straight through and may help them get back on track via some much-needed rest.

He knows how crucial this game could be, not just on the night, but in the grand scheme of things as he fights for his job, with Postecoglou coming under increasing pressure in recent weeks, but the former Celtic man said he remains comfortable.

"It doesn't affect me, it never has, it never will. My view on my role has never been about self-preservation or security. It's about trying to achieve and we're still in a position where we can do that. You suggest there's a running commentary on me at the moment which is not surprising considering our league position.

"I don't have to respond to that or get involved with that, it just doesn't interest or affect me. What is important to me is I have a responsibility to... as I said, people can choose to ignore it, but we're in a great position to still achieve something special this year. I'm going to push this group of players and everyone at the club to not lose sight of the fact that this is a tough spot we're in, but the possibilities of us doing something special are still there if we work our way through it."

Praise for Bergvall

It's been a challenging spell for the club, but one thing is for sure, Bergvall has benefitted massively from an extended run in the team, which has given the Swede an opportunity to acclimatise to top-flight football in England, as well as on the continental stage.

"Outstandingly well. We lose sight of the fact that he's only 18 years old, but also his previous senior experience is in the Swedish league, so he's come into a different league, obviously a step up in the league level, different country, different environment. As an 18-year-old, for him to be taking such a massive responsibility on his shoulders to not only play but also try to make an impact for the team, I think has been outstanding.

"I'll keep saying it, as tough as it's been, and it's been tough, and still is tough, we're going to get so much benefit from the likes of him and Archie coming through this really not like 18-year-olds, but like men, wanting to help the club through this process, once we hit some calmer waters then we'll truly see them flourish even more. He's been outstanding and it's a credit to him as much as a person as it is as a player that he's tackling this in the way that he has."

Good news at last

In the last few weeks, the injury issues in North London have only worsened. Despite losing James Maddison to a calf injury after last Thursday's win at TSG Hoffenheim, as well as Pape Sarr who played through the loss to Leicester City with a knock, there has finally been some good news.

Djed Spence has recovered from a knock which saw him miss Sunday's embarrassing home defeat, whilst Micky van de Ven is back in full training and is on course to be named in the match-day squad for the visit of Di Gule.

Vice-captain Cristian Romero also returned to training last week, although he has been in the gym throughout this week and won't be included in the squad tomorrow or for Sunday's trip across London to Brentford.

"Cuti's a bit of a slow burner. We're mindful his injury was a bit different and he's still got to tick a few boxes so, not for the horizon at the moment in terms of this weekend. We'll see how he goes after."

Postecoglou was also quizzed on how dealing with a harrowing injury crisis has been for him.

"It's well chronicled. Earlier in the year it was a different issue, we were kind of dealing with guys coming back and getting injured, but since late November, it's been logical that with the workload of the players we'd be getting niggles along the way and people picking up things. That's a natural consequence and not something that really we can do much about. It hasn't been something you're surprised by."

Robert Vilahamn has suggested Tottenham Hotspur became “passive” against West Ham after they lost 2-1 and crashed out of the Women’s League Cup.

Tottenham had the perfect start at Brisbane Road as Martha Thomas gave them the lead with a looping header ten minutes in.

However, West Ham soon fought back. Seraina Piubel equalised for the visitors after latching onto Emma Harries’ inch-perfect cross 36 minutes in, whilst five minutes later, they took the lead. Kirsty Smith’s free-kick evaded everyone from over 45 yards out.

Vilahamn admitted post-match that they did “not have a good performance”, even if they had a “few good chances”. He highlighted how they became passive after taking the lead.

“I think against Leicester we made silly mistakes. Today we became passive. We kept the ball but played it backwards,” he stated. “We let them press us. We didn’t make too many mistakes, but we were not brave enough to play forward. We’re still trying to get this group going [after the winter break].”

The former Hacken manager made four changes in an attempt to turn things around at half-time. Anna Csiki, Olga Ahtinen, Lenna Gunning-Williams and Charlotte Grant replaced Drew Spence, Maite Oroz, Jessica Naz and Amanda Nilden respectively.

Vilahamn admitted that he wanted to “use the squad” against the Hammers, and that the four changes for the second period were due to fitness and energy.

“It was a mixture of rotating the team but also bringing energy. The last 20 minutes of the first half were quite passive, so I wanted to bring in energy. We wanted to give them minutes so they could show where they are,” he told the site.

“We’ve gone from five weeks with no matches to four in two. I need to use the squad and make sure everyone is playing. It was a good opportunity to give them a chance. They did well; we created some chances, but the momentum was not there.”

Spurs missed Eveliina Summanen

This was an opportunity missed for Spurs. Their pre-season target of Champions League qualification was hopeful then; it is now all but over. This and the FA Cup gave Spurs their only chance of glory, and now one journey is over.

While Spurs created plenty of chances, they were far from secure at the other end of the field. They collapsed in the space of five minutes to throw away victory, and there was a notable Eveliina Summanen-shaped hole in the middle of the park.

Vilahamn confirmed to VAVEL on Sunday that she will miss five to six weeks with a hamstring injury, and he stated post-match today that, although she is a big miss, he is still confident others can step up to the task.

“Obviously, she is a strong big central midfielder. Some of these games are very physical. Our other midfielders are smaller and more technical, but they give us other stuff. If we can get better relationships, we can dictate the game better,” he answered.

“Of course, she’s a really good player so we miss her. We are going to make sure these players get the minutes to develop. They are all really good footballers [to replace Summanen].”

Spurs had problems out wide as well. Naz and Hayley Raso started on the wings for the hosts and they consistently found space but struggled to do anything with it. It was a similar story with substitute Gunning-Williams in the second half, and Vilahamn believes their struggles is due to a mixture of “self-confidence” and “how we play”.

“If you look at Hayley, she often ends up in one one-on-ones. She didn’t have a bad game; she had a few really good chances; it’s more like it’s a combination of self-confidence and rhythm. She’s still a threat,” he said.

“Jessica is a different player. When she’s on, she’s really on. When she’s not, then she’s not really that good one on one. Lenna is going for it, she’s younger but she needs the minutes to develop.

“It’s a mixture of self-confidence and how we play to make sure we put them in better situations. I’m not worried but we need to make sure we find even more chances for them.”