Spurs’ Development side played their first group-stage game of this seasons Papa John’s Trophy on Tuesday evening, when they took on Stevenage FC at the Lamex Stadium. Wayne Burnett’s side won the match 4-3 despite the fact that they were missing a number of players because of international call-ups. It was a very good and mature performance from Spurs, who really took the game to Stevenage right from the start of the match. Burnett’s side showed a real desire to press the opposition, and that real desire led to them creating numerous fine chances during the game. Spurs lined-up with Joshua Oluwayemi in goal, while a back four consisting of Malachi Fagan-Walcott, Marqes Muir, Tobi Omole and Marcel Lavinier started in front of him. Captain Brooklyn Lyons-Foster and Harvey White started in central midfield, while Kallum Cesay and Jack Clarke started out on the flanks, either side of CAM Dilan Markanday. Yago Santiago led the line for Spurs. Spurs got the game underway on a cool evening in Stevenage, and after a good start the first chance of the game came their way. Dilan Markanday’s low effort on goal from the edge of the Stevenage box was saved by Stevenage goalkeeper Sacha Bastien. Then at the opposite end of the pitch Stevenage’s Arthur Read hit an effort wide on the turn. 

Spurs took a deserved lead in the eighth minute of the game, thanks to a goal from Harvey White. A great pass from Lyons-Foster reached Jack Clarke on the left flank, and he continued forward before sending in a low cross into the Stevenage penalty area. Harvey White had made an intelligent run into the box to meet it and finish past Bastien with a composed and accurate first time finish, 1-0. Harvey White did receive a yellow card not long afterwards for a strong challenge that he made on Jack Smith. Marqes Muir cleared a cross from the left flank, before Spurs doubled their lead. A brilliant forward run from Markanday resulted in him passing the ball to Santiago, who continued into the Stevenage box before initially delaying his effort, before then powerfully finding the bottom left hand corner of the goal, 2-0. Luke Norris nodded narrowly wide a cross from the right flank, before the impressive Yago Santiago had a low effort saved by Bastien. Jack Clarke then came inside onto his right foot before trying his luck with a curling effort on goal, but it was saved by the Stevenage goalkeeper. Scott Cuthbert headed wide from a Stevenage corner kick, and then Joshua Oluwayemi pushed behind a low shot. An important defensive intervention from Malachi Fagan-Walcott followed, before Stevenage got a goal back. James Daly received Jack Smith’s pass on the edge of the Spurs box, before looking up and curling an unstoppable effort into the top left hand corner of Oluwayemi’s goal, 2-1.

A Stevenage player hit an effort narrowly wide of Oluwayemi’s goal shortly after the restart, and then moments later another Stevenage player came inside from the left flank to curl an effort over the Spurs goal. A couple of minutes later Oluwayemi gathered a low cross from the right flank, before the referee sounded his whistle for half-time. The home side got the second half underway but it was Spurs who almost extended their lead soon into the half. Santiago latched onto a loose ball before passing it to Harvey White in the Stevenage box, but the Spurs midfielder hit the ball over the Stevenage goal, in what was a great chance for Spurs. However, not long afterwards Spurs did get their third goal of the game. Dilan Markanday received the ball down the right hand side of the Stevenage box, before continuing forward and then squaring the ball for Harvey White to tap home, 3-1. But Spurs’ two goal lead didn’t last long as soon afterwards Ross Marshall powerfully headed Jack Smith’s corner kick home, 3-2. A quick throw-in from Stevenage then almost caught Spurs out, but Oluwayemi did well to keep out James Daly’s low effort on goal from inside the Spurs penalty area. A good forward run from Santiago ended in him being fouled on the edge of the Stevenage penalty area. Harvey White’s resulting free-kick hit the Stevenage wall before coming back to him. The Tottenham midfielder then put the ball into the box, where he managed to pick out Tobi Omole down the left. Omole’s first time effort was saved by Bastien before the ball came back to him and he squared the ball for Lyons-Foster to tap home from close range, 4-2.

Oluwayemi comfortably gathered Ben Coker’s cross before Ross Marshall headed over a Stevenage free-kick. Brooklyn Lyons-Foster and Tobi Omole both received yellow cards during the latter stages of the game, and once again Oluwayemi had to make a save, this time to stop a low effort from a tight angle. A difficult end to the game was to follow for Wayne Burnett’s side though, after Ben Coker’s cross was met by Luther John-Wildin on the volley, and his powerful effort went into the goal off of Tobi Omole, 4-3. Rafferty Pedder replaced Dilan Markanday for the final minutes of the game, as Spurs managed to hold on to get a vital three points.

Player reviews:

• Joshua Oluwayemi: The Spurs goalkeeper made some good and important saves on the night, and he also dealt well with crosses into the box.
• Malachi Fagan-Walcott: It was a solid performance out of position from Malachi Fagan-Walcott at right-back. He cut out one dangerous Stevenage attack and also kept good positioning throughout the game.
• Marqes Muir: I thought that the right sided centre-half did very well alongside Tobi Omole against Stevenage. Muir worked really hard and I thought that him and Tobi Omole complemented each other well in central defence.
• Tobi Omole: The more experienced of the two centre-halves put in a commanding performance in defence, and his positioning and reading of the game was good. Omole also got the assist for Lyons-Foster’s goal.
• Marcel Lavinier: The left-back got up and down the left-flank really well and supported the attack when he needed to.
• Brooklyn Lyons-Foster: Playing as a number four for Spurs on Tuesday, Spurs captain Brooklyn Lyons-Foster was constantly giving advice and encouraging the younger members of the Spurs side, as he demonstrated his leadership qualities. Lyons-Foster was very good on the ball in midfield, played the game at a really good intensity, made some good forward passes and scored the all important fourth Spurs goal.
• Harvey White: The scorer of two goals and also involved in the buildup play to Brooklyn Lyons-Foster’s goal, Harvey White formed a very strong midfield partnership with Lyons-Foster during the game. The 19 year old midfielder took both of his goals well, made some good passes and also made some good and intelligent runs into the Stevenage box.
• Kallum Cesay: The defender played out on the right flank as a winger and I though that he had a good game. Cesay got forward well and also linked up well with right-back Malachi Fagan-Walcott.
• Dilan Markanday: My man of the match, see below.
• Jack Clarke: The former Leeds United man got a good assist during the first half and showed quality going forward, but it was his excellent work-rate and tracking back which impressed me the most.
• Yago Santiago: The midfield player led the line very well and took his goal really well (his first at this level). He was composed on the ball and clever in how he moved off it.
• Rafferty Pedder: The late substitute was involved in one good Spurs counterattack during his time on the pitch.

My man of the match: Dilan Markanday. Once again it was a very good performance from the 20 year old winger. Markanday carried the ball forward really well and with great skill, and he took on the Stevenage players really well, and the CAM was always looking to make that forward pass. He also registered two assists against Stevenage during his time on the pitch.

Spurs’ Under 23 side played their third Premier League 2 match of the new season on Friday at Hotspur Way, as Wayne Burnett’s side lost to 2-1 in the first North London Derby of the season with Arsenal. For the most part it was a very even game, but the sending off of left-back Marcel Lavinier in the second half gave Arsenal a big advantage. Spurs lined up with Joshua Oluwayemi in goal, while a back four consisting of Kallum Cesay, captain Brooklyn Lyons-Foster, Tobi Omole and Marcel Lavinier lined up in front of him. Nile John and Harvey White started in central midfield, while Alfie Devine started just in front of them. Dilan Markanday and Jack Clarke started out on the flanks and Dane Scarlett led the line, as he made his first appearance of the season for the Spurs Under 23 side. Arsenal got the game underway on a warm afternoon in Enfield. A fine early pass from Clarke to Markanday on the right flank resulted in the inform Spurs winger having a shot on goal, but his low effort was saved by Karl Hein. A loose pass from Devine at the opposite end of the pitch resulted in Omari Hutchinson receiving the ball. However, after travelling forward with it he had an effort well blocked by Lyons-Foster inside the Spurs box. A good lofted pass from Harvey White towards Alfie Devine in the Arsenal box was well cut out by Arsenal first team player Gabriel at the vital moment. Arsenal centre-forward Mika Biereth then hit a low effort just wide of Oluwayemi’s goal from the edge of the Spurs box.

The game continued to be an even one and Mazeed Ogungbo saw his cross from the left volleyed over at the back post by Taylor-Hart, before Swanson had an effort on goal brilliantly blocked by former Arsenal player Tobi Omole. A really fine pass from the Spurs captain Lyons-Foster managed to find Markanday down the right flank. He skilfully worked his way past Mazeed Ogungbo before finding John, whose shot was blocked with the ball coming out to Harvey White, who also had an effort blocked. The ball then came to Lavinier, who had an effort saved by Hein. Clarke had an effort blocked by Zane Monlouis, before Marcel Lavinier hit an effort well wide of the Arsenal goal. After receiving Lavinier’s pass Jack Clarke dribbled his way into the Arsenal penalty area, before having a deflected effort saved by Hein. Lavinier hit an effort wide a couple of moments later, and then shortly after that he received a yellow card after making a strong challenge on Biereth. A Harvey White free-kick ended up deflecting into the path of Lyons-Foster in the middle of the Arsenal box, but he had little time to react, and the ball ended up coming off his right foot and going wide of the goal. He then received a yellow card shortly afterwards before Markanday hit the ball right across the face of Karl Hein’s goal. Tobi Omole then blocked behind Mika Biereth’s effort from the edge of the Spurs box.

Lavinier had an effort blocked before Mika Biereth missed a free header inside the centre of the Spurs box. Kallum Cesay then blocked Taylor-Hart’s effort after a very good move from Arsenal. Spurs got the second half underway and after an early yellow card was shown to Nile John, Spurs took the lead. Harvey White’s fine delivery from a corner kick was met by Alfie Devine at Arsenal’s near post, and he flicked the ball past Hein on the volley to give Spurs the lead, 1-0. Oluwayemi saved Mazeed Ogungbo’s effort from down the left of the Spurs box, before Hein tipped behind Clarke’s low effort at the other end of the pitch. Oluwayemi then saved Omari Hutchinson’s effort at his near post, before Arsenal got the equaliser. A forward move ended with Hutchinson squaring the ball for Taylor-Hart inside the Spurs box, and he finished past Oluwayemi and into the left corner of the Spurs goal, 1-1. After Lavinier had fouled Hutchison and also handled the ball, the referee showed him his second yellow card and sent him off, in what would prove to be a turning point in the game. Jack Clarke then received a yellow card before Charlie Patino’s low effort on goal was saved by the feet of Oluwayemi. A good forward run from Jack Clarke resulted in him finding Dane Scarlett down the right side of the Arsenal box, but the centre-forward hit his effort into the side-netting of the goal. Zac Swanson’s low cross was hit over by Mazeed Ogungbo inside the Spurs box, but only because Kallum Cesay managed to get a foot on the ball in time.

Oluwayemi saved Omar Rekik’s header from an Arsenal corner kick, and then Spurs made their first change of the game as Maksim Paskotši replaced Dilan Markanday, and went to right-back. Zac Swanson curled an effort just wide of the Spurs goal from inside the Spurs box before Arsenal then took the lead. Hutchinson’s cross in from the right flank was missed by Mika Biereth inside the Spurs box, before the ball then came to Taylor-Hart, who finished emphatically past Oluwayemi, 1-2. The impressive Omari Hutchinson then hit a free-kick effort onto the Spurs post, before at the other end of the pitch Lyons-Foster skilfully worked his way into the Arsenal box before then seeing his effort on goal saved by Hein. J’Neil Bennett replaced Dane Scarlett, Kallum Cesay then blocked Hutchinson’s effort on goal, before Oluwayemi saved Joel Ideho’s effort. Matthew Craig replaced Brooklyn Lyons-Foster for the final moments of the game, but the newly introduced J’Neil Bennett managed two goal attempts. The first one from distance went well over the Arsenal goal, before the second one was well saved by Karl Hein. The final score – Spurs 1-2 Arsenal.

Player reviews:

• Joshua Oluwayemi: The Spurs goalkeeper made a number of good and important saves during the game in what was a good performance from him.
• Kallum Cesay: I thought that Kallum had a good game at both ends of the pitch and he prevented a certain Arsenal goal during the second half.
• Brooklyn Lyons-Foster: My man of the match, see below.
• Tobi Omole: Playing as the left sided centre-half, Tobi Omole made a number of good blocks against his former team.
• Marcel Lavinier: Going on some good forward runs down the left-flank during his time on the pitch, unfortunately the full-back was sent off during the second half.
• Nile John: Playing as the deepest midfielder Nile John brought the ball forward well, and he went on some good surging forward runs.
• Harvey White: One of Spurs’ best performers on the day, midfielder Harvey White created our only goal of the game from a corner kick, made some good forward passes and covered a lot of ground in the central areas of the pitch. I thought that he was especially very good during the first half.
• Dilan Markanday: Playing out on the right flank Dilan Markanday was always looking to take on Arsenal full-back Mazeed Ogungbo. Dilan had to defend a lot more after Spurs were reduced to ten men during the second half.
• Alfie Devine: The furthest forward of the three midfielders took his goal well and was always looking to pass the ball forward.
• Jack Clarke: I was impressed with how the former Leeds United player was always looking to take on players and try to be inventive with the ball at his feet. I thought that he played well against Arsenal.
• Dane Scarlett: The centre-forward led the line well, moved well off the ball and worked very hard inside the Arsenal half. He came close to scoring during the second half.
• Maksim Paskotši: The Estonia international slotted into the defence after he came on when Spurs only had ten men on the pitch.
• J’Neil Bennett: The late substitute managed two goal attempts during his time on the pitch.
• Matthew Craig: N/A.

My man of the match: Brooklyn Lyons-Foster. The Spurs captain and centre-half saw a lot of the ball inside Spurs’ half of the pitch, and once again his distribution was very good. However, defensively speaking I thought that this was another strong performance from Brooklyn, whose positioning, communication skills and effort in defence could not be criticised. Lyons-Foster also stepped out of defence well on occasions, but at the back he made some important defensive interventions and blocks, and dealt well with Arsenal centre-forward Mika Biereth.

Wayne Burnett’s Spurs Under 23 side played their first competitive away game of the 2021/22 season on Monday afternoon, as they took on newly promoted Leeds United at their Thorp Arch training ground in the Premier League 2. Spurs won what was a fantastic game of football 4-2 and played very well throughout, but it was a really end to end game which could have went either way. Spurs lined up with Joshua Oluwayemi in goal, while a back four consisting of Kallum Cesay, captain Brooklyn Lyons-Foster, Tobi Omole and Marcel Lavinier lined up in front of him. Matthew Craig and Harvey White started in central midfield, and Nile John and Jack Clarke started out on the flanks, either side of CAM Alfie Devine. Dilan Markanday once again led the line for Spurs after his excellent performance against Chelsea. Spurs got the game underway on a sunny afternoon in Yorkshire, but after former Leeds player Jack Clarke conceded a free-kick in a promising position, Leeds had an early chance to take the lead. However, Sam Greenwood’s resulting effort went over Oluwayemi’s crossbar. After Clarke lost the ball Lewis Bate played a brilliant through-ball towards Joe Geldhart, but after entering the Spurs box his low effort was saved relatively comfortably by Oluwayemi. Amari Miller then hit an effort wide from the the left side of the Spurs box, before Charlie Cresswell headed wide from Lewis Bate’s corner kick.

After connecting with Greenwood’s cross Joe Geldhart forced a save out of Oluwayemi, before the Spurs goalkeeper then accidentally gave the ball to Sean McGurk. However, the former Wigan player took his effort quickly and it was saved by Oluwayemi, who then tipped behind an effort from the same player moments later. Oluwayemi gathered Joe Geldhart’s header from the resulting corner kick, before Lyons-Foster cleared away Liam McCarron’s cross, and then the impressive Lewis Bate hit an effort wide from distance. Geldhart had an effort deflected just wide of the Spurs goal from the edge of their box, as Leeds continued to cause Spurs problems. However, after Spurs won a corner kick the visitors took a slightly unexpected lead. Harvey White’s fine delivery from the corner came down for Dilan Markanday, who controlled the ball well before turning and hitting a powerful and simply unstoppable low effort into the bottom left hand corner of the Leeds goal, 1-0. After receiving Markanday’s pass Nile John went forward with the ball down the right flank, but the ball then ended up coming to Kallum Cesay inside the Leeds box, but his effort on goal was tipped behind by Leeds goalkeeper Kristoffer Klaesson. After Greenwood received Geldhart’s cross inside the Spurs penalty area the former Arsenal player chested the ball down for Lewis Bate, but his first time effort went over Oluwayemi’s goal.

After latching onto Harvey White’s header Dilan Markanday received the ball with his back to the Leeds goal. The Spurs forward then worked his way around Charlie Cresswell and Jack Jenkins with some spectacular skill, before then entering the Leeds penalty area (down the left side of their box) and hitting an unstoppable effort into the roof of their goal, 2-0. An excellent ball over the top of the Leeds defence from Harvey White then set Markanday through on goal, shortly after the restart. Markanday went into the Leeds box before eventually having a shot on goal, but Liam McCarron had got back really well to make a sliding block at the last moment as Spurs won a corner kick. Leeds got a goal back shortly afterwards after Greenwood received Lewis Bate’s pass out on the right flank. Greenwood then crossed the ball really well for Joe Geldhart to latch onto inside the Spurs box, and his effort on the volley went into the Spurs goal, despite the very best efforts of Lyons-Foster on the line, 2-1. After Devine had won a free-kick on the edge of the Leeds box, Harvey White saw his effort hit the Leeds wall, before then seeing his follow up effort also blocked. After receiving the ball on the left side of the Spurs box, Amari Miller saw his effort go over the Spurs goal, after Spurs had lost the ball in midfield. However, after Cesay brought down Miller from behind inside the Spurs box, Leeds were awarded a penalty. And Sam Greenwood then stepped up to hit the ball into the left hand corner of Oluwayemi’s goal, 2-2.

After Harvey White had made a strong challenge there was a bit of a coming together between both sets of players, but the situation was calmed down quite quickly, and in the end Harvey White was shown a yellow card. Before the half was up Nile John, who had been growing into the game managed to latch onto a loose ball in the middle of the pitch, he then eventually slipped the ball into the feet of Markanday inside the Leeds box. Markanday then skilfully worked his way around Kristoffer Klaesson before slotting home, 3-2. Harvey White then had an effort from distance saved by Klaesson before the referee sounded his whistle for half-time. Leeds got the second half underway, and an early back pass from Nohan Kenneh to Klaesson was deemed by the referee to have been a back pass, resulting in a Spurs free-kick just inside the Leeds box. Devine laid the ball off to Clarke, whose powerful first time effort went wide of the Leeds goal. After having an effort blocked Leeds substitute Crysencio Summerville then saw his low cross from the right flank tipped away by Oluwayemi well. A good Spurs move at the opposite end of the pitch ended in Cesay finding Devine with a pass into the centre of the Leeds box, but the midfielders effort went narrowly wide of the Leeds goal. Tobi Omole then did really well to block Summerville’s effort on the line, before Oluwayemi was then unable to gather Amari Miller’s cross from the left, but then was able to make a spectacular save moments later. Oluwayemi doing really well to tip Geldhart’s brilliant effort from the edge of the Spurs box onto his crossbar.

Lyons-Foster cleared away the lively Lewis Bate’s cross, before John advanced forward with the ball, showing good pace before winning a free-kick in a good position. However, Clarke’s resulting effort was was blocked by the Leeds wall, and he was replaced by Romaine Mundle shortly afterwards. Oluwayemi then saved Geldhart’s effort on goal well, before gathering the ball bravely at the feet of Greenwood. The very busy Joshua Oluwayemi then punched away a Leeds free-kick, before Spurs got their fourth goal of the game. Matthew Craig passed the ball to Nile John, who worked his way past a Leeds player on the edge of their box before finding the bottom right hand corner of their goal with a brilliant curling effort, 4-2. Shortly after the game got started again Mundle cut inside from the left flank before hitting a low effort which was saved by Klaesson. Lyons-Foster then headed over Harvey White’s corner kick, before Yago Santiago came on to replace Dilan Markanday. After receiving the ball down the left hand side of the Spurs box, Sam Greenwood hit the ball well over the Spurs goal in what was the final piece of action of the game. Spurs will be looking to continue their really good start to the season when they host Arsenal at Hotspur Way on Friday.

Player reviews:

• Joshua Oluwayemi: Making a number of impressive and very important saves throughout the game, goalkeeper Joshua Oluwayemi got better as the game went on, and he made some really important and impressive saves, with the very best one being the one to push Joe Geldhart’s excellent effort onto his crossbar in the second half.
• Kallum Cesay: Making his competitive Under 23 debut Kallum Cesay got forward well down the right flank and he did well to create a good chance for Alfie Devine, who came very close to scoring from that chance.
• Brooklyn Lyons-Foster: The Spurs captain had a very good game in central defence, in my opinion. Lyons-Foster made some really good clearances, kept really fine positioning throughout and also really impressed with his excellent distribution out of defence.
• Tobi Omole: Playing alongside Lyons-Foster on the left side of defence, Tobi Omole made some important defensive interventions and he also had a calming effect on the game from central defence.
• Marcel Lavinier: Playing at left-back for this game Marcel Lavinier liked to get forward and try and link up with winger Jack Clarke on the left flank.
• Matthew Craig: It was a very hardworking performance once again as the deepest of the two midfielders by Scotland youth international Matthew Craig. He worked well alongside the more experienced Harvey White, was good on the ball and also got the assist for Nile John’s late goal.
• Harvey White: Showing real craft and tenacity in midfield, I thought that Harvey White performed excellently well as a number eight. The midfielder got the two assists for Dilan Markanday’s first two goals, before then creating a brilliant chance for Markanday shortly afterwards with a great pass on his weaker right foot. Pressing the opposition players well throughout the game, the 19 year old made a real impression on the match from central midfield in both a defensive and forward thinking way.
• Nile John: Starting off on the right flank before gradually playing a lot more central as the game went on, Nile John got a first half assist before later doing really well to score his first goal of the season. John went on some really clever forward runs with the ball, and he made a really good impression on the game in the second half.
• Alfie Devine: The CAM worked tirelessly off the ball and his positioning on the day was good, and he came very close to scoring his first goal of the season with a low effort in the second half.
• Jack Clarke: Playing out on the left wing Jack Clarke didn’t get on the ball in forward positions a lot during his time on the pitch, as Spurs seemed to focus more on playing the ball down the right flank. He did however, work very hard for the team.
• Dilan Markanday: My man of the match, see below.
• Romaine Mundle: The second half substitute took up a position on the left flank, worked hard and also had an effort saved by Klaesson.
• Yago Santiago: The late substitute went on one clever and skilful run down the right flank during his time on the pitch.

My man of the match: Dilan Markanday was absolutely unstoppable against Leeds today, and his determination to make a difference really did make the difference for Spurs on the day. Markanday took all three of his goals excellently well, showing great skill on all three occasions, and his movement off the ball was very good throughout his time on the pitch. I’m really hoping that he is involved in the Spurs first team squad for their match on Thursday.

Spurs’ Under 18 side took on Chelsea on Saturday morning at Hotspur Way, in what was Spurs’ first home league game of the season. Spurs Under 18’s head coach Stuart Lewis saw his side lose 7-2 on the day, but the scoreline didn’t entirely reflect how the game went, and key decisions on the day did go against Spurs. Spurs lined up with Adam Hayton in goal, while a back four consisting of Maxwell McKnight, captain Alfie Dorrington, Will Andiyapan and Jordan Hackett lined up in front of him. Dante Cassanova and Rio Kyerematen started in central midfield, and Jamie Donley and Riley Owen started out on the flanks, either side of CAM Khalon Haysman. Jaden Williams led the line for Spurs. Spurs got the game underway and it was an even start to the game. After Jaden Williams had won the ball off of Joshua Tobin he played the ball through to Khalon Haysman down the left hand side of the Spurs box, but Haysman’s effort went just wide of the Chelsea goal. Hackett made a good and important challenge on Leo Castledine inside the Spurs box, before Haysman had an effort on goal blocked behind for a Spurs corner kick. Haysman had another effort blocked a couple of moments later, this time by Alfie Gilchrist. Dante Cassanova had an effort on goal blocked before at the other end of the pitch he cleared Lewis Hall’s low cross, after the Chelsea player had gone on a really good forward run.

It was a really end to end game, and after the lively Jamie Donley had an effort on goal blocked, Spurs’ Adam Hayton had to make his first save of the game to stop Lewis Hall from finding the back of the net, from the edge of the Spurs box. A good Chelsea move however, ended in them scoring their first goal of the game. After Brodi Hughes found Ronnie Stutter on the left hand side of the Spurs box he found the right hand corner of the Spurs goal, 0-1. Hayton did well to tip over Jimi Tauriainen’s effort from a Chelsea free-kick before Jordan Hackett did well to block Ronnie Stutter’s effort inside the Spurs box. Hayton was again called in to action a couple of minutes later, firstly to push away Lewis Hall’s effort, before then saving Jimi Tauriainen’s effort on the follow up. However, after Alfie Dorrington was deemed to have fouled Edwin Andersson by tripping him, after he had entered the Spurs box, the referee pointed straight to the spot. Lewis Hall hit his following penalty kick into the roof of Adam Hayton’s goal, 0-2. Dorrington recovered well by blocking an effort from the Chelsea goalscorer shortly after the game got underway again, before Edwin Andersson hit an effort well over the Spurs goal. Brodi Hughes hit an effort wide of the Spurs goal from out on the right flank, before Spurs then won a penalty of their own, after Donley was tripped down the right hand side of the Chelsea box by Billy Gee.

Donley stepped up to calmly find the bottom right hand corner of the Chelsea goal, 1-2. Haysman saw his effort deflected over the Chelsea goal, and then shortly before half-time Donley received Owen’s pass inside the Chelsea box, but his low effort was well tipped behind by Chelsea goalkeeper Teddy Curd. Chelsea got the second half underway and Andiyapan came close to drawing Spurs level, after his headed effort from Cassanova’s cross went just over the Chelsea goal. However, Chelsea were awarded another penalty after McKnight had in the referees view fouled Richard Olise inside the Spurs box. It was a controversial moment in the game, but it was also a decisive one as Lewis Hall found the right hand corner of Hayton’s goal from his effort, 1-3. Alfie Dorrington received a yellow card before Ronnie Stutter squared the ball to Jimi Tauriainen from the left flank, and he finished past Hayton inside the Spurs box, 1-4. Williams forced a save out of Teddy Curd, before Hayton stopped Edwin Andersson’s effort from going in at the other end of the pitch. Spurs’ day got even worse after Jamie Donley was shown a straight red card after making a strong challenge to try and win the ball off of Jimi Tauriainen. Thomas Bloxham came on to replace Riley Owen, and then a couple of moments later Leo Castledine curled over a free-kick.

The impressive Adam Hayton saved Edwin Andersson’s effort on goal, before Jaden Williams hit the post with a powerful effort from just outside the Chelsea box.  Spurs made another change as Roshaun Mathurin came on to replace Maxwell McKnight, but just before that Kyerematen blocked Leo Castledine’s effort on goal impressively. The newly introduced Roshaun Mathurin soon started making an impact, and after going on a surging forward run (after latching onto Will Andiyapan’s clearance) from inside the Spurs half he found the bottom left hand corner of the Chelsea goal, from the edge of their penalty area, 2-4. However, any chance of Spurs getting back into the game was ended after Chelsea made it 5-2 shortly after the match was restarted. Substitute Malik Mothersille managed to get past Andiyapan after showing good pace, and later Hayton inside the Spurs box, before slotting home, 2-5. William Andiyapan was then replaced by Brandon Bryan-Waugh. Haysman hit an effort over the Chelsea crossbar from quite far out, and then Brandon Bryan-Waugh did really well to block Malik Mothersille’s effort off the line, from inside the Spurs box, before Hayton then made yet another save. Leo Castledine’s deflected effort went just wide of the Spurs goal, before Derrick Abu’s brilliant effort from distance beat Hayton to make it 2-6.

The creative Roshaun Mathurin had an effort saved by Teddy Curd, before Edwin Andersson connected with a cut back inside the Spurs box, but his effort went over the crossbar. Edwin Andersson then found the roof of the Spurs net from inside the Tottenham box, to make it 7-2 to Chelsea. Richard Olise then curled just over from close range, before Mathurin had an effort on goal blocked, and then Williams curled an effort wide of the Chelsea goal. The final whistle went shortly afterwards. Spurs’ next game is away to Birmingham City, next Saturday.

Player reviews:

• Adam Hayton: The Spurs goalkeeper made a big number of saves against Chelsea, and in all truth I don’t think that you could say that any of the Chelsea goals could have been kept out by Hayton. He played well.
• Maxwell McKnight: Playing at right-back for this game, Maxwell McKnight liked to get forward and in total he completed 75 minutes of the game.
• Alfie Dorrington: The Spurs captain made a number of good blocks on the day.
• Will Andiyapan: My man of the match, see below.
• Jordan Hackett: The left-back went forward well on occasions and made some good challenges during the first half.
• Dante Cassanova: Dante Cassanova operated as the deepest Spurs midfielder throughout the match.
• Rio Kyerematen: Showing some good skill on the ball and getting forward when he could, Rio Kyerematen completed the whole of Saturday’s match. 
• Jamie Donley: Starting the game out on the right flank, Jamie Donley was lively, inventive and hardworking during his time on the pitch, and after doing well to win a penalty (which he scored from) he also came close to scoring a second goal. Unfortunately he was sent off during the second half, in what was a controversial moment in the game.
• Khalon Haysman: The CAM tried his best to influence the game, and he tried his luck on goal on numerous occasions.
• Riley Owen: Playing out on the left flank during his time on the pitch, Riley Owen was replaced during the second half by Thomas Bloxham.
• Jaden Williams: Leading the line for the second consecutive game, Jaden Williams in my opinion led the line well, and he was unlucky not to score late on in the game.
• Thomas Bloxham: The second half substitute mainly played out on the left flank.
• Roshaun Mathurin: Very creative when he came on, Roshaun Mathurin scored a well taken goal, and he always looked potent whenever he received the ball near to the Chelsea penalty area.
• Brandon Bryan-Waugh: The late substitute made one really good late block to prevent a certain Chelsea goal.

My man of the match: Will Andiyapan. Playing as a left-sided central defender in a back four during his time on the pitch, first year scholar Will Andiyapan was without doubt Spurs’ best player on the day. The Wales youth international made some really good tackles, read the game well and showed some really good pace on occasions. He also got the assist for Roshaun Mathurin’s goal, but this was a strong performance from the Watford born player, despite the scoreline.

Spurs’ Under 23 side got their Premier League 2 season underway on Monday evening at Stevenage’s Lamex Stadium, when they hosted 2020/21 Division One runners up Chelsea. Wayne Burnett’s side were in my opinion the better team during the match and they were very unlucky not to win it, as it ended 2-2. Spurs lined up with Joshua Oluwayemi in goal, while Marcel Lavinier, captain Brooklyn Lyons-Foster, Malachi Fagan-Walcott and Ryan Sessegnon formed the back four. Matthew Craig and Harvey White teamed up in central midfield, and Romaine Mundle and J’Neil Bennett started out on the flanks, either side of CAM Alfie Devine. Dilan Markanday led the line for Spurs. Chelsea got the game underway on a sunny evening in Hertfordshire, and a good early move for the away side saw them get into quite a promising position. However, the move ended with Bryan Fiabema having a low effort saved by Spurs’ goalkeeper Joshua Oluwayemi, from the edge of the Spurs box. Malachi Fagan-Walcott then did well to stop Charlie Webster from going into the Spurs penalty area, before Dilan Markanday impressively went past a couple of Chelsea players before passing the ball to J’Neil Bennett on the left flank. Bennett then crossed the ball for Devine, whose headed effort was well tipped over the crossbar by Chelsea goalkeeper Lucas Bergstrom.

From the following corner kick which was taken by Harvey White, the ball eventually ended up falling for Alfie Devine, who hit the ball over the Chelsea crossbar, in what was a difficult chance for the former Wigan Athletic player. Romaine Mundle had an effort blocked behind off a Chelsea defender from J’Neil Bennett’s cross, before a good ball over the top of the Chelsea defence from Harvey White ended up coming to Dilan Markanday who then entered the Chelsea penalty area, but didn’t have any teammates in support. However, a couple of moments later and after Spurs couldn’t clear the ball and it ended up deflecting off of Chelsea player Dion Rankine, the ball came to Harvey Vale, who was brought down by Oluwayemi, resulting in the referee pointing to the penalty spot. From the resulting penalty kick Harvey Vale’s powerful effort went just beyond Oluwayemi and into the back of the net, 0-1. Shortly after the game was restarted Bashir Humphreys blocked Romaine Mundle’s effort inside the Chelsea box, before Devine won the ball off of George Nunn and brought the ball forward before forcing a good save from Lucas Bergstrom. Bennett then came inside from the left flank before seeing his fine curling effort on goal saved well by the Chelsea goalkeeper. Bennett then had an effort blocked shortly afterwards.

From a Harvey White free-kick defender Malachi Fagan-Walcott had a headed effort on goal saved by Bergstrom, before seeing a following effort from another Harvey White free-kick go just wide of the Chelsea goal. Lyons-Foster cleared away Charlie Webster’s effort on goal, while Spurs then went forward down the other end of the pitch, with Harvey White whipping a promising cross right in front of the Chelsea goal. Spurs continued to play really well, and after Lavinier headed behind J’Neil Bennett’s cross, Spurs fell further behind after Chelsea got their second goal of the game. A loose pass was latched onto by Harvey Vale, who went on a surging forward run before calmly slotting the ball into the bottom right hand corner of Oluwayemi’s goal, 0-2. After Markanday was fouled on the edge of the Chelsea box Harvey White stepped up to whip a low effort towards goal. His effort was saved by Bergstrom, with the ball coming to Lyons-Foster, and although he managed to find the back of the net, one of the linesmen had his flag up to rule it out for offside, in what was the final piece of action from the first half. Spurs got the second half underway and the second half got off to a great start for Wayne Burnett’s side, who got a goal back on 48 minutes. A really nice pass from Devine found Marcel Lavinier, who then slipped the ball into the feet of Markanday down the left side of the Chelsea box. And Markanday did well to get the ball beyond the Chelsea goalkeeper and into the goal, 1-2.

A good cross from Lyons-Foster was cleared before Lavinier made an important defensive intervention inside his own penalty area. Oluwayemi saved Charlie Webster’s effort before Spurs equalised through J’Neil Bennett. After receiving Alfie Devine’s pass out on the left flank Bennett came inside onto his right foot and curled a really good effort beyond Lucas Bergstrom and into the far corner of the goal, 2-2. Yago Santiago came on to replace Romaine Mundle, and soon after he came on and received the ball and went forward he had an effort saved by Bergstrom, who then saved a deflected effort from Bennett soon afterwards. The constantly impressive Alfie Devine won the ball in central midfield before travelling forward with the ball and passing it to Bennett, who had an effort blocked behind for a corner kick. Markanday hit over an effort from a Harvey White free-kick before Lyons-Foster had an effort from distance saved. The creative Harvey White then managed to find Markanday down the right side of the Chelsea box, but he was fouled by Bergstrom, resulting in a penalty for Spurs. Harvey White’s effort from the resulting penalty kick was saved by the Chelsea goalkeeper, before then being cleared away.

A lofted pass from Michael Craig found former Chelsea player Marcel Lavinier inside the Chelsea box, but his effort was saved by the Chelsea goalkeeper. A late Spurs substitution saw Rafferty Pedder replace Dilan Markanday, before the referee blew the full-time whistle.

Player reviews:

• Joshua Oluwayemi: The Spurs goalkeeper didn’t actually have an awful lot to do on Monday night. He did make some important but fairly routine saves and he came close to saving the penalty kick that he conceded, but he could have done nothing to prevent Harvey Vale’s second goal of the game.
• Marcel Lavinier: Making some strong defensive interventions and also joining the forward players well when going forward, I thought that the right-back who later switched to left-back had a good game. Lavinier got the assist for Markanday’s goal.
• Brooklyn Lyons-Foster: The Spurs captain started the game at RCB alongside Malachi Fagan-Walcott, before then starting the second half at right-back, where I thought that he did well.
• Malachi Fagan-Walcott: Playing at left-sided centre-back for this game, the 19 year old kept good positioning in my opinion and he came close to scoring in the first half.
• Ryan Sessegnon: The Spurs first team player got 45 minutes at left-back to help build up his fitness after missing a lot of pre-season because of injury.
• Matthew Craig: The deepest of the two central midfielders, Matthew Craig was tigerish in midfield, and he kept the ball moving in the central areas well.
• Harvey White: It was a very good and creative performance from Harvey White in central midfield against Chelsea. The 19 year old created numerous chances and his set-pieces were very good against Chelsea. He was however, unlucky to miss his late penalty kick.
• Romaine Mundle: The winger operated out on the right flank and he linked up well with right-back Marcel Lavinier during his time on the pitch.
• Alfie Devine: Making some really clever passes from the CAM role, moving really well off the ball and also working really hard for the team. Alfie Devine was involved in the build up to both of Spurs’ goals against Chelsea, and I thought that he was influential throughout the match. 
• J’Neil Bennett: Constantly going on good forward runs down the left flank, unpredictable winger J’Neil Bennett had a really fine game for Spurs. The scorer of an excellently taken goal, Bennett could have scored more goals on the another day.
• Dilan Markanday: My man of the match. See below.
• Marqes Muir: The centre-half came on to replace Ryan Sessegnon for the second half, and he did well alongside Malachi Fagan-Walcott. 
• Yago Santiago: The second half substitute had an effort on goal saved soon after he entered the pitch.
• Rafferty Pedder: N/A.

My man of the match: Dilan Markanday. Starting the game as a centre-forward Dilan Markanday (19) impressed with his movement off the ball and the really hardworking player showed some tremendous skill to go past Chelsea players as if they weren’t even there on occasions. He took his goal really well from a difficult angle and he also won a penalty kick late on in the match. This was an excellent performance from Markanday, who later operated out on the right flank towards the end of Monday’s game.