Spurs’ Under 23 side faced Manchester City in the Premier League 2 at Hotspur Way on Saturday afternoon. Wayne Burnett’s side won the game 3-0, in what was an excellent team performance from Spurs, as they managed the game really well on the day. Thimothée Lo-Tutala started once again in goal, while a back four of Marcel Lavinier, Malachi Fagan-Walcott, Tobi Omole and Kallum Cesay started in defence. Brooklyn Lyons-Foster and captain Harvey White started in central midfield, and Romaine Mundle and Dilan Markanday started out on the flanks, either side of CAM Nile John. Jack Clarke led the line for Spurs once again. A Manchester City side which included Cole Palmer, got the game underway in Enfield. Despite the visitors controlling possession during the early stages of the game, Spurs managed to take the lead on nine minutes, through Jack Clarke. A nice threaded pass from Nile John, through to Clarke, resulted in the Spurs forward going forward with the ball, to the edge of the Manchester City penalty area. After showing some good skill Clarke hit a powerful low effort which went past Manchester City goalkeeper Cieran Slicker, and into the back of the goal, 1-0. After Kwaku Oduroh blocked Dilan Markanday’s effort inside the Manchester City box, Markanday managed to win the ball back before trying his luck on goal. However, his effort deflected off of CJ Egan-Riley and onto the crossbar.

Harvey White curled over a free-kick from distance, before at the other end of the pitch defender Malachi Fagan-Walcott made a great and important challenge on Shea Charles, inside the Spurs box. Manchester City continued to see more of the ball than Spurs, but it was Wayne Burnett’s side who were creating the better chances. A through-ball to Dilan Markanday resulted in him taking the ball past the outrushing goalkeeper Cieran Slicker, before skilfully working his way into the Manchester City box. However, after eventually trying an effort on goal it was blocked by a defender. Lo-Tutala saved well from James McAtee’s effort from inside the Spurs box, and then Spurs doubled their lead in the 38th minute of the game. After receiving Dilan Markanday’s pass on the edge of the Manchester City penalty area, Nile John got the ball out of his feet well, before powerfully hitting an unstoppable effort past Cieran Slicker and into the left corner of the goal, 2-0. Thimothée Lo-Tutala made a really important save to get a hand on the ball to stop Kayky from scoring just before half-time. Spurs got the second half underway, and early on in the half Brooklyn Lyons-Foster had a headed effort saved from inside the Manchester City box, after meeting Harvey White’s cross, before being shown a yellow card moments later.

Josh Wilson-Esbrand had a deflected effort go over Lo-Tutala’s goal, before Cole Palmer hit an effort wide. After meeting Harvey White’s free-kick inside the Manchester City box, Malachi Fagan-Walcott had a headed effort saved, before the away side managed to get the ball clear. Dilan Markanday received a yellow card, before a great move from Manchester City resulted in Cole Palmer hitting an effort over from inside the Spurs box. After Markanday had an effort blocked by Romeo Lavia, the ball came to Nile John just outside the Manchester City box, and the Spurs midfielder whipped a delightful effort into the top right hand corner of Cieran Slicker’s goal, 3-0. Marcel Lavinier received a yellow card shortly after the game got back underway, and he was replaced by Matthew Craig soon afterwards. Also being replaced was Romaine Mundle, as Alfie Devine came on as he made his return. Jack Clarke became the latest Spurs player to receive a yellow card, before Kayky hit a deflected effort over the Spurs goal. Nile John received a yellow card, and then Yago Santiago came on to replace defender Tobi Omole. James McAtee hit an effort over the Spurs goal, while Jack Clarke hit an effort wide at the opposite end of the pitch, a couple of minutes later. James McAtee curled an effort wide, before Harvey White received a very late yellow card, as Spurs went on to record a great 3-0 win over the reigning champions of the division.

Spurs’ next competitive game at this level is away to Arsenal on the 17th of December.

Player reviews: 

• Thimothée Lo-Tutala: The Spurs goalkeeper made two really good and important saves during the game, and he also organised the defence really well throughout the game, constantly communicating with them.
• Marcel Lavinier: The right-back had a lot of defensive work to down his side of the pitch, as Manchester City focused a lot on playing down that side of the pitch.
• Malachi Fagan-Walcott: This was an excellent performance from the 19 year old on the right side of central-defence. Malachi made some important challenges and was always first to the ball throughout the game.
• Tobi Omole: My man of the match, see below.
• Kallum Cesay: The left-back defended well down the left side of the pitch, and he helped to stop Manchester City from having much joy down that side of the pitch.
• Brooklyn Lyons-Foster: Teaming up really well again with Harvey White in midfield, Brooklyn Lyons-Foster demonstrated once again his fine reading of  the game, and he made some important interceptions during the game, and he used the ball well. Lyons-Foster dropped back to play in central-defence, after Tobi Omole was substituted late on in the game.
• Harvey White: The Spurs captain made a lot of very important interceptions today, and defensively he was very, very good in midfield. The midfielder read the game well and patrolled the midfield to great effect. He also led by example throughout the match.
• Romaine Mundle: Playing on the right flank the winger kept the ball well, but also did some good defensive work as well.
• Nile John: This was a superb performance from the Spurs CAM Nile John, and I thought that he was alongside Tobi Omole and Malachi Fagan-Walcott, one of our best players. Great on the ball and going on some good forward runs with it, John took both of his goals so well, and he got an assist too. 
• Dilan Markanday: The skilful winger started the match out on the left flank, and he showed his excellent ability to dribble with the ball on numerous occasions. The player who got a first half assist, had a particularly strong first half in my opinion.
• Jack Clarke: The centre-forward for the game took his early goal very well, and the former Leeds United man was strong and skilful on the ball throughout.
• Alfie Devine: The second half substitute half made his return to playing again after being out for a while, and it was great to see the talented midfielder back again.
• Matthew Craig: The second half substitute went to right-back following his introduction.
• Yago Santiago: The late substitute went into midfield following his introduction to the game.

My man of the match: Tobi Omole. The 21 year old centre-half had a very assured game on the left side of central-defence, and the former Arsenal player dealt really well with everything that he faced, alongside Malachi Fagan-Walcott in defence. Omole read the game well, was good on the ball and with his distribution and also made some timely challenges and interceptions.