Foot & Soccer Soccer Match Reports, Football News
Tottenham secured a significant 3-0 victory over Elfsborg to clinch fourth place of their Europa League group, guaranteeing an computerized berth within the last-16.
What had initially been a irritating night for Ange Postecoglou’s aspect changed into a joyous event as three academy graduates – Dane Scarlett, Damola Ajayi, and Mikey Moore – scored their first objectives for the membership in an exhilarating remaining 20 minutes.
Spurs dominated possession from the outset, however clear-cut probabilities have been at a premium within the first half.
Heung-min Son, making his fiftieth European look for the membership, supplied the brightest moments, establishing Pape Matar Sarr and Moore for Spurs’ greatest early efforts.
Regardless of their management – boasting 81% possession – Tottenham went into the break goalless, with Elfsborg providing little menace in return.
Postecoglou launched Dejan Kulusevski at half-time, and his affect was telling. The breakthrough arrived within the seventieth minute when Kulusevski whipped in an outstanding cross for Scarlett, who powered residence a header for his first senior Spurs aim.
Secured our place within the spherical of 16 🔒 pic.twitter.com/iyx7Cpb8wa
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) January 30, 2025
Simply 14 minutes later, debutant Ajayi doubled the lead, exchanging passes with Scarlett earlier than slotting into the nook. The night time was capped off deep into stoppage time as Moore stole possession, drove in direction of aim, and coolly completed low into the web.
And Postecoglou was stuffed with reward for his younger cohort after the match.
He mentioned: “Actually happy. The target was to attempt to win as we speak and safe our spot within the high eight. I assumed the boys have been good, managed the sport and we have been by no means actually threatened. We needed to bide our time as they sat deep, however they gave that up in the long run to chase the sport and the objectives got here.
“[The victory was] made in Tottenham tonight. I’m tremendous happy for the younger boys, and we additionally shouldn’t lose sight of the truth that we had a pair extra youngsters on the market too. I’m positive these three lads received’t sleep tonight. We wanted one thing tonight and the younger lads stepped up.
“We’ve obtained one other large week arising so the adjustments at half-time have been about managing the load. We nonetheless picked up harm with Radu [Dragusin] which isn’t nice, however the three lads at half-time are good.
“[On Dragusin’s injury] It’s too early to say what it’s, we might want to examine futher. However it was his knee which isn’t good.
“We have now one other recreation on Sunday. The membership can be working onerous behind the scenes to see if we are able to get one thing completed.”
