Tottenham 3-0 Elfsborg: 'Play the kids' message as Mikey Moore record goal caps Europa League win

For over an hour, Tottenham Hotspur appeared to be heading for another frustrating evening. After a run of seven Premier League games without a win, Ange Postecoglou’s side struggled against Swedish qualifier Elfsborg in the Europa League. To make matters worse, an injury to substitute Radu Dragusin further exacerbated the team's injury crisis, adding to the downbeat atmosphere inside the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Then, 20-year-old Danish youngster Dane Scarlett opened the scoring for Spurs with a header. Shortly after, 19-year-old Damola Ajayi doubled the lead with a confident finish just 3 minutes and 39 seconds into his debut. Tottenham were on their way to victory and qualification for the last 16, and a brilliant goal from Mikey Moore, a low shot after a clever run, capped off the night, showcasing the potential of the young players.

The moment was joyous. At just 17 years and 172 days old, London-born Moore became the youngest Englishman to score in a major European men's competition, breaking a record set by Jimmy Greaves in October 1957 (17 years, 245 days). Greaves later became a Spurs legend, but was at Chelsea at the time. Moore has been with the Spurs academy since the age of seven. “A fan just said to me – just play these kids, we don’t need to buy anyone,” said former Tottenham striker Peter Crouch on TNT Sports.

Tottenham fans have not had much to cheer about lately, but Scarlett, Ajayi, and Moore all scored their first senior goals for the club, which undoubtedly lifted the atmosphere in the stadium. “I just said everything tonight was made in Tottenham,” Spurs manager Postecoglou said after the match. “It’s great for the club and I’m sure the academy coaches and players will be buzzing tonight.” He added that the team needs to rely on young players, and they performed exceptionally well, with the whole team playing well, not just the three goalscorers, and other 18-year-olds constantly pushing the team forward. It was a great night for the club, and the entire academy should be proud.

Scarlett recently returned from a loan spell at Oxford United. Crouch mentioned: “This football club had a number nine, Harry Kane, who went on loan to Leyton Orient, Millwall, and Leicester, and then became a legend at the club. It’s a big ask for Dane Scarlett, of course, to reach that level. But he came on, and I thought his all-round play was excellent.” Forward Scarlett has also been on loan at Ipswich and Portsmouth. London-born Ajayi was at Bromley before joining the Tottenham academy. The forward made two appearances for the U18s while still at school in the 2021-22 season. Meanwhile, attacking midfielder Moore joined Tottenham a decade ago and has progressed through the ranks. Earlier this season, Tottenham's English midfielder James Maddison compared Moore to Brazil's Neymar. Maddison said after the Europa League victory over Alkmaar on October 24: “From the 45th minute to the 65th minute, I felt like our left winger was Neymar. He was brilliant, wanted the ball, and was fearless.”

Tottenham became the first English team since Arsenal in October 2007 to have three goalscorers aged 21 or under in a major European competition. The win against Elfsborg means Spurs avoid an unwanted two-legged play-off in February. They have four Premier League games, as well as the second leg of the League Cup semi-final against Liverpool and an FA Cup fourth-round tie against Aston Villa, before they play in Europe again. “Three young lads coming into the team and scoring goals, changing the game, it lifts the whole place,” added Crouch. “The manager has been under pressure and stress. But tonight everyone is happy because they have seen three young lads start their careers.”