Spurs’ Under 23 side welcomed Everton to The Lamex Stadium on Friday evening, in their latest Premier League 2 game. Spurs won the game 4-0 and they were much the better team throughout the game. Spurs lined-up with Thimothée Lo-Tutala in goal, while a back four of Marcel Lavinier, Malachi Fagan-Walcott, Tobi Omole and Kallum Cesay started in-front of him. Brooklyn Lyons-Foster and captain Harvey White started in central midfield, and Dilan Markanday and Romaine Mundle started out on the flanks, either side of CAM Nile John. Jack Clarke once again led the line for Spurs. Everton got the game underway on a very cold evening in Hertfordshire, but the game got off to the perfect start for Spurs, who took the lead just 27 seconds into the game. A bouncing ball wasn’t dealt with by the Everton defence, and centre-forward for the evening Jack Clarke latched onto the ball, before going past Lewis Warrington. Clarke then took the ball into the Everton box as he continued forward, before then finally finishing in a composed fashion past goalkeeper Harry Tyrer, with a low strike, 1-0. Everton tried to respond and after Thomas Cannon received the ball inside the Spurs penalty area, he tried his luck on goal. However, Lo-Tutala saved well to tip the ball behind.

Ryan Astley headed wide from an Everton corner-kick, and then a couple of minutes later and after Dilan Markanday won a free-kick on the edge of the Everton box, Harvey White struck the Everton wall with his effort. Romaine Mundle then had an effort blocked inside the Everton box, before at the other end of the pitch Ryan Astley headed just wide from a Rhys Hughes corner-kick. Lyons-Foster headed wide from a Harvey White cross not long before half-time, and then the final piece of action of the half saw Harry Tyrer save Nile John’s low effort from the edge of the Everton box. Spurs got the second half underway and it started well for Spurs, who doubled their lead on 50 minutes. Romaine Mundle passed the ball to Harvey White down the left side of the Everton box, and the Spurs midfielder cut the ball back for Dilan Markanday at the back post, via a deflection off of an Everton player. Markanday received the ball and finished with a first time effort which hit the back of the Everton goal, 2-0. Jack Clarke had a low effort saved from inside the Everton box, shortly after the game got back underway, before Ryan Astley hit an effort over the Spurs goal. 

After receiving Kyle John’s pass down the left flank Rhys Hughes continued forward with the ball and into the Spurs box. However, his resulting effort was saved by Lo-Tutala. Spurs made it 3-0 on 62 minutes, after right-back Marcel Lavinier went on a good forward run with the ball down the right flank, he slipped the ball into the feet of Harvey White, who had made a good run down the right hand side of the Everton box. The midfielder finished well with his right foot, as his effort hit the inside roof of the net, 3-0. Romaine Mundle received a yellow card shortly afterwards, before Rhys Hughes hit a free-kick wide of the Spurs goal. Lyons-Foster then blocked an effort well from the same player. Defender Malachi Fagan-Walcott extended Spurs’ lead after he powerfully headed home a great cross from the left into the Everton box from Harvey White, 4-0. Rhys Hughes then headed over Kyle John’s cross, before Spurs made a double substitution, as Dilan Markanday and Brooklyn Lyons-Foster were withdrawn in place of twin brothers Matthew and Michael Craig. Jeremie Mukendi was then introduced soon after, in place of Romaine Mundle. Kallum Cesay received a yellow card, before Thomas Cannon struck one of Thimothée Lo-Tutala’s posts, in what turned out to be the final piece of action from the game. Spurs play Manchester City at Hotspur Way next Saturday, in their next league game.

Player reviews:

• Thimothée Lo-Tutala: This was another solid performance from the France Under 19 international, who dealt well with crosses and set-pieces, but who also made a number of good saves.
• Marcel Lavinier: The right-back liked to go on forward runs a lot during the game, and one such forward run ended in him setting-up Harvey White for his goal. Lavinier had another good game at right-back.
• Malachi Fagan-Walcott: Taking his late goal well and also impressing in central-defence, defender Malachi Fagan-Walcott made a good impression on the game.
• Tobi Omole: The left sided centre-half was very good on the ball and he brought it out from the back really well, and also made some good passes. Omole was also assertive in defence and didn’t put a foot wrong during the game.
• Kallum Cesay: The full-back played at left-back for this match, and he tended to stay deeper than Marcel Lavinier on the other flank, but I thought that he did well.
• Brooklyn Lyons-Foster: Good on the ball, playing the game at a good tempo and also being in good defensive positions, Brooklyn Lyons-Foster continued his fine season with another good display in midfield.
• Harvey White: My man of the match, see below.
• Dilan Markanday: The winger started out on the right flank and he grew into the game. Markanday took his goal well and also made runs into numerous good positions.
• Nile John: The CAM made some good runs, came close to scoring and also linked-up well with midfielder Harvey White throughout the game.
• Romaine Mundle: Playing out on the left flank Romaine Mundle held onto the ball well and went on some skilful runs with it. He was also involved in our second goal of the game.
• Jack Clarke: Pressing the Everton defence superbly well throughout the game, Jack Clarke made some clever runs off the ball and took his goal really well.
• Matthew Craig: The Barnet born midfielder went into midfield following his introduction to the game.
• Michael Craig: Like his brother Michael Craig also played in central midfield after being introduced during the second half.
• Jeremie Mukendi: The 21 year old forward came on late in the game to make his first appearance of the season for the Spurs Under 23 side. It was good to see Jeremie involved again, and during his time on the pitch he played in the centre-forward role.

My man of the match: Harvey White. The 20 year old midfielder had yet another very good game for Spurs’ Under 23 side. The player from Maidstone created numerous good chances for his teammates against Everton. Assertive and skilful in midfield, Harvey White provided two good assists and also took his goal really well. Harvey helped to dictate the tempo of the game from midfield, and he made many really good forward runs off the ball. After the game on Friday he has now been directly involved in 14 goals (seven goals and seven assists) from 16 competitive appearances for the Spurs Under 23 side this season.