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Tottenham Hotspur booked their berth in the Europa League’s last 16 with a 3-0 victory over Swedish side Elfsborg on Thursday, with youngsters Dane Scarlett, Damola Ajayi and Mikey Moore netting their debut goals for the London club.
The victory spares Ange Postecoglou’s injury-hit team the two-legged knockout round. It was not all good news for the manager as Radu Dragusin had to leave the pitch with an apparent knee injury.
Spurs thoroughly dominated the game, but struggled to break a well-organised defence down, before Scarlett finally broke the deadlock in the 70th minute when Dejan Kulusevski curled the ball into the middle of the six-yard box and the 20-year-old striker headed it into the bottom corner.
The 19-year-old Ajayi netted in the 84th minute when he played a one-two with Scarlett before slotting it into the corner. Moore, 17, celebrated his first goal in a Spurs shirt seconds before the final whistle, driving forward and then beating his man before lashing a shot into the far corner.
Match summary
Three Tottenham academy graduates scored late goals to sink Elfsborg and book their place in the last 16 of the Europa League.
Dane Scarlett headed in the opener to ease frustrations inside the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, before 18-year-old debutant Damola Ajayi fired in a wonderfully taken strike of his own.
And Mikey Moore added a third in injury time as Tottenham finished fourth in the league phase.
Lawrence Ostlere30 January 2025 22:14
Tottenham players speak at full-time
Ben Davies: “It’s important to get the job done tonight. Those games can be banana skins. Dane has worked so hard in the years I’ve known him and he deserves this.”
Dane Scarlett: “It was amazing, I’ve been waiting for that moment for a long time. I’ve been training hard, focusing on getting my opportunity and I’m grateful.”
Lawrence Ostlere30 January 2025 22:00
Full-time: Tottenham 3-0 Elfsborg
What looked like being a frustrating evening for Spurs ends with three youngsters all getting on the scoresheet. Job done for Tottenham, who go through to the last 16 of the Europa League.
Lawrence Ostlere30 January 2025 21:55
GOAL! Tottenham 3-0 Elfsborg (Moore, 90+4 min)
This might just be the best goal of the lot! Brilliant by Mikey Moore, dribbling at the Elfsborg defence before shifting the ball on to his right foot and firing into the bottom corner from the edge of the box. That’s his first senior goal for the club.
Lawrence Ostlere30 January 2025 21:53
Tottenham 2-0 Elfsborg
Damola Ajayi will never forget this moment for as long as he lives:
Lawrence Ostlere30 January 2025 21:49
Tottenham 2-0 Elfsborg
88 min: Bergvall is booked for a needless tug back.
Lawrence Ostlere30 January 2025 21:47
GOAL! Tottenham 2-0 Elfsborg (Ajayi, 84 min)
What a goal this is by the debutant! Damola Ajayi, 18, drives in from the right, plays a one-two on the edge of the box and fires a low finish into the bottom corner. Beautifully done.
Lawrence Ostlere30 January 2025 21:44
Tottenham 1-0 Elfsborg
82 min: Lyon have been pegged back by Ludogorets which means Tottenham are up to fourth in the table now, behind only Lazio, Athletic Bilbao and Manchester United. Rangers are up to eighth and heading through, too.
Lawrence Ostlere30 January 2025 21:42
