‘Spurs don’t need to buy anyone – just play the kids’

Tottenham waited for another night of frustration after more than an hour.

After no wins in seven in the Premier League, Ange Postecoglou’s team struggled against Swedish qualifiers Elfsborg in the Europa League.

As substitute Radu Dragusin joined the club’s growing list of injured players, the club’s situation at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium did not improve.

Then, just three minutes and 39 seconds into his debut, 19-year-old Damola Ajayi put the game to the side before 20-year-old Dane Scarlett put Spurs ahead.

When Mikey Moore delivered the final whistle on a smart run, a low shot that was already on the verge of winning and a spot in the last 16 for Tottenham, they were already on the verge of a win.

It was a lovely moment.

At 17 years and 172 days old, London-born Moore became the youngest English player to score in major men’s European competition, breaking Jimmy Greaves ‘ record (17 years 245 days), set in October 1957.

Greaves, who became a Spurs legend, was a Chelsea player at the time of his goal.

Since he was seven years old, Moore has played for the Spurs.

The recent silence from Tottenham fans was overrated, but the sight of Scarlett, Ajayi, and Moore all scoring their first senior goals for the club made the situation more positive.

“I just said it was made in Tottenham tonight”, said Spurs boss Postecoglou afterwards.

“It’s fantastic for the club, and I’m sure there are some young players and academy coaches who are very excited tonight.”

We kind of anticipated that some young players would play a significant role in this campaign, to be honest.

They stood up really well, I thought. Although the entire group performed well, the group would need some more young men to contribute, not just the three goal scorers.

” There was a certain number nine, Harry Kane, at this football club that went on loan to Leyton Orient, Millwall, Leicester, and ended up becoming a legend of this club, “said Crouch.

Dane Scarlett must live up to that standard, of course. But when he came on I thought his all-round game was brilliant. “

Scarlett has also had loan spells with Portsmouth and Ipswich in the Championship.

London-born Ajayi was at Bromley before joining Tottenham’s academy.

The forward made two appearances for the under-18s in 2021-22 while still a schoolboy.

Meanwhile, Moore, a 10-year-old attacking midfielder, made his Tottenham debut and has since made his debut.

Earlier this season, Tottenham’s England midfielder James Maddison likened Moore to Brazil’s Neymar.

After the Europa League victory over AZ Alkmaar on October 24, Maddison remarked, “From the minute 45 to the minute 65, I thought we had Neymar on the left wing.”

Since Arsenal did so in a major European match in October 2007, Tottenham became the first English team to score three goals under the age of 21.

The win over Elfsborg meant Spurs avoid an unwanted two-leg play-off in February.

Before returning to Europe, they have four Premier League games to play, as well as an EFL Cup semi-final second leg against Liverpool and a fourth-round tie against Aston Villa.

” The fact the three young lads have come into the team and scored and made the difference, it’s just lifted the whole place, “added Crouch.

The manager has been put under a lot of stress and pressure.