Match Summary: Elfsborg (H) - Youngsters shine as Spurs progress straight into last sixteen | OneFootball

It was an all important last Europa League group phase matchday for Tottenham against Elfsborg, as they looked to finish strongly and make sure they secure a top eight finish, so they automatically qualify to the last sixteen. Of course the team were massively depleted as expected with injuries and a couple of players ineligible, but were also boosted by the return of defender Micky van de Ven. Spurs lined up as followed: Austin, Porro, Gray, van de Ven, Davies, Sarr, Bentancur, Bergvall, Moore, Richarlison, Son (c)

Brilliant night for the Spurs academy on Thursday evening

Not too much to report on the first half an hour to be honest with you, but after some lovely work from Bergvall and then Son who absolutely fooled his man before putting it across the box into an area, Pape Matar Sarr had an effort blocked from close range and out for a corner, that resulted in nothing.

Shortly after youngster Mikey Moore had a chance from close range but was well saved by Elfsborg keeper Isak Pettersson. Goalless at the break with Spurs dominating a whopping 83% of the possession and having twelve shots so far, as opposed to Elfsborg's one, so a very frustrating first 45 for Ange Postecoglou and this team.

Postecoglou would make not one, not two, but three changes at the break. Yves Bissouma would replace Rodrigo Bentacur, Dejan Kulusevski would be subbed on for captain Heung-Min Son to help with some creativity in that midfield, and lastly it wasn't surprising to see van de Ven be replaced by Radu Drăgusin, a wise move from Postecoglou with the Dutch international just coming back from an injury. With Sunday's trip to Brentford in mind, Postecoglou was taking no risks.

Spurs were let off the hook on 53 minutes whrn Besfort Zeneli's shot was deflected into the path of his team mate Jalal Abdullai who tried a rather unorthodox finish that sailed over the bar from close range. The visitors should have been 0-1 up.

Just after the hour mark it was disaster, as substitue Drăgusin went down holding his knee and had to be replaced by young forward Dane Scarlett in a huge change around with positions. Another injury for Spurs, the last thing they need. Let's hope that it's precautionary.

With Spurs still pushing for a goal on 70 minutes it would be the dream introduction, as a delightful ball from the right hand side by Kulusevski was met by the head of substitute Scarlett with his very first goal for Spurs. A brilliant goal and one that would have surely calmed the nerves down for everyone in the stadium. Scarlett was on loan at Oxford United in the first half of this season where he netted 4 goals in just 7 starts, and now he's been rewarded with a first for his parent club.

With just under ten minutes left, it would be another dream introduction for Spurs, with another youngster coming on in Oyindamola Ajayi in place of Richarlison for his first ever appearance for the first team, just three minutes later he'd pick the ball up towards the right of the box before firing a low left footed strike that squeezed into the bottom corner. An incredible night for the Club's academy but one where they also made sure they booked their place straight into the last sixteen.

With just seconds remaining, the it would get even better, and it was yet another goal for an academy graduate, this time it was the more established in Moore, who picked up the ball just beyond the halfway line and drove at the Elfsborg defence and shot low across the keeper into the bottom corner. 3-0 the full time score with three youngsters from the academy all on the score sheet. It means Spurs finish the 'league phase' in 4th position, just behind Lazio, Athletic Club and fellow Premier League side Manchester United.

So all things good whe Europe is concerned, but now is the time to really fix their Premier League form, with one win in the last ten, it's time for Spurs to put things right in West London on Sunday before their meetings with Liverpool and Aston Villa in the Carabao and FA Cup respectively.