Four teenagers, three points, two goals and one highly satisfactory away day for Ange Postecoglou, who chose this trip to Budapest as the occasion to expose his brightest talents to the challenging realities of a feisty European atmosphere.

Sheltered under the hood of his jacket in the relentless rain, the Tottenham Hotspur coach’s face was hardly visible here. It was absolutely clear, though, that he was pleased with how his youngsters held up. There might even have been a smile or two on the touchline as Mikey Moore, Will Lankshear, Archie Gray and Lucas Bergvall battled for their team.

This was not an away win that came easy, and indeed it all became rather nervy at the end, but one suspects it was precisely the sort of character-building experience that Postecoglou wanted. Young players learn far more from these games, after all, than from comfortable strolls.

Goals for Pape Sarr and Brennan Johnson (scoring in his fifth consecutive match) ultimately made the difference for Spurs, who extended their winning streak to five games and continued their perfect start to this season’s Europa League.

“Irrespective of who you play in Europe away, it’s always a challenge,” said Postecoglou. “I thought they [the youngsters] handled it really, really well.”

With a tricky trip to face Brighton on Sunday, there was always an expectation that Postecoglou would give an opportunity to a few of his young stars here against Ferencvaros. For him to name four teenagers in the starting line-up, though, was a bolder move than anyone would have predicted.

It was the first time since a Uefa Cup match against Shakhtar Donetsk in 2009 that Spurs had started with four teenagers in a European game. Among the youthful quartet that day was a chap called Gareth Bale. Spurs can only dream that one of the modern-day prodigies might go on to have a similar impact in north London.

There is no telling how a young footballer’s career might fluctuate and flicker, and only a fool would make concrete predictions on these matters. But it is clear to see why Moore, more than any other Spurs academy graduate, is generating huge excitement.

Still only 17, Moore started on the wing here and drove Spurs forward. His willingness to run with the ball — he is known for his superb dribbling — helped to create all sorts of angles and opportunities. Unable to tackle him, Ferencvaros often resorted to kicking him instead.

“He was outstanding,” said Postecoglou. “He handled it superbly. I knew he would. If you look at the Premier League, how many 17-year-olds are actually contributing? Mikey is already, which shows that he’s got something special. I couldn’t be happier for him, but also pretty pleased that he’s part of our club.”

Alongside Moore in attack was Lankshear, a 19-year-old who has earned Postecoglou’s trust with his performances in training. A former Arsenal academy player, Lankshear has been prolific in the youth ranks since joining from Sheffield United. His movement was sharp here but he was unable to convert Timo Werner’s early cross.

Perhaps understandably given the conditions, Spurs started slowly and were fortunate not to be trailing after 20 minutes. Barnabas Varga found the net for the home side but was denied by the all-seeing eyes of VAR, before Adama Troare missed the target with a header.

Sarr’s strike, smashed in after a defensive mix-up, changed the feel of the night. From there, Spurs dominated until the break and should have scored more in the early moments of the second half. Werner, found by Moore, made a mess of his chance.

There was an eye-catching second-half performance by 18-year-old Archie Gray, the £40 million signing from Leeds United, who moved from centre-back to left-back after the break. It was from one of Gray’s numerous darts into Ferencvaros territory that Spurs almost added a second, as Johnson’s shot clipped the bar.

By this point Postecoglou had beefed up the team with some experienced substitutes, including Johnson. It was his low effort, curled expertly into the corner, that sealed a well-earned victory (and prompted the Spurs media team to compare him to the Brazilian Ronaldo) even if Varga’s late finish made for an anxious final few seconds.

Youthful Spurs team squeeze past Farencvaros: As it happened

07:59 PM BST

A positive night in the end

07:42 PM BST

FT: Farencvaros 1 Spurs 2

Five wins a row in all competitions for Spurs, whose season now has a more optimistic vibe. Mikey Moore delivered on his promise with an impressive full debut, while Brennan Johnson continued his purple patch in front of goal. Pedro Porro was also lively throughout as an attacking force. Six from six for Spurs in the Europa League, who will qualify for the top eight at a canter.

07:40 PM BST

96 minutes: Farencvaros 1 Spurs 2

The referee has added on an extra minute for some stoppages, but Maddison has now won a foul. Surely that is that.

07:39 PM BST

94 minutes: Farencvaros 1 Spurs 2

Spurs have a corner in the last minute after good centre-forward play from Solanke. Farencvaros defender Gustavo looks to have injured his shoulder in an award landing following the challenge on Solanke. The stoppage time is up, cannot be more than a minute to play.

07:37 PM BST

92 minutes: Farencvaros 1 Spurs 2

The clock is running down but Farencvaros have the ball in the Tottenham half. Vicario juggles the ball slightly after coming for a cross, but he gets away with it. Spurs can clear and push up the pitch.

07:35 PM BST

GOOOAALL! Farencvaros pull one back

After his disallowed goal in the first half, Varga turns home a cross with a smart finish on the volley. No chance for Vicario as the ball flies past him. Spurs have five minutes of stoppage to negotiate now.

Varga is the Hungarian player who suffered that horrible injury against Scotland.

07:33 PM BST

89 minutes: Farencvaros 0 Spurs 2

Spurs have had some rough moments defensively, but their attacking quality has eventually shone through.

07:30 PM BST

GOOOAALL! Johnson scores his fifth goal in five games

What a difference a month makes. Johnson is now one of the league’s in-form players. He fakes to play Kulusevski in on the overlap, but goes inside and strokes a shot in off the far post with his left foot. Game over.

07:28 PM BST

85 minutes: Farencvaros 0 Spurs 1

The home side’s belief that an equaliser is there for the taking is growing. Two shots blocked at the end of that move after Gray was caught forward from left-back. The second shot deflected behind for a corner, and Vicario just about punched clear.

07:27 PM BST

83 minutes: Farencvaros 0 Spurs 1

Half a chance for Farencvaros again with Kady Borges unmarked, but his header was straight at Vicario.

Solanke is on for Sarr, with Kulusevski moving into midfield.

07:25 PM BST

80 minutes: Farencvaros 0 Spurs 1

Brennan Johnson hits the bar! He is a confident player in front of goal right now, and he rattles the woodwork with a vicious, first-time effort with the outside of his right foot. Superb attempt.

Then Farencvaros blast over from a promising position after Spurs were caught out down their left again.

07:23 PM BST

78 minutes: Farencvaros 0 Spurs 1

Farencvaros break into space down the right after Bissouma was robbed, but despite Ben Romdhane being in space at the back post they fail to punish Tottenham. Real dearth of quality in the contest at the moment.

07:19 PM BST

75 minutes: Farencvaros 0 Spurs 1

Now Spurs have a free-kick near the right corner of the penalty box, with Farencvaros penalised for handball. Ben Romdhane’s arm was away from hos body. Spurs try to work a short one and Kulusevski’s shot is deflected over.

07:17 PM BST

72 minutes: Farencvaros 0 Spurs 1

Gartenmann’s mishit cross could have been dangerous for Vicario, but it bounced off the roof of the net.

Neat play from Spurs again down their right, Porro involved, but nobody was there to tap-in Johnson’s low cross.

07:15 PM BST

70 minutes: Farencvaros 0 Spurs 1

Spurs have got to be a little wary here: they are butchering some good counter-attacking positions and that is giving the game a see-saw feel. They need to finish off one of these moves and find the second, then they can put their foot on the ball.

07:11 PM BST

66 minutes: Farencvaros 0 Spurs 1

Postecoglou has gone to his bench: Kulusevski, Johnson and Maddison on for Bergvall, Werner and Lankshear. Lankshear can hold his head high on debut, but Bergvall and Werner can have few complaints.

07:09 PM BST

64 minutes: Farencvaros 0 Spurs 1

Timo Werner will not want to watch this missed chance again...Spurs on the break after a poor cross from the home team, Sarr releasing Moore down the right. The 17-year-old made the wise choice with a well weighted ball across for Werner, but inside of passing the ball into the net first time, he took a heavy touch when trying to round the goalkeeper. Forced wide and shot over. Werner looks bereft in front of goal currently.

07:07 PM BST

62 minutes: Farencvaros 0 Spurs 1

Slick breakway from Tottenham and Lankshear looked to be through on goal, but the goalkeeper smothered before he could pull the trigger. The 19-year-old has picked up some dangerous positions tonight.

Archie Gray has moved from centre-back to left-back since half-time and he has been fantastic in the second half so far. Driving forward, combining with his team-mates, flicking the ball away from opponents.

07:03 PM BST

59 minutes: Farencvaros 0 Spurs 1

From a Spurs corner, Lankshear digs out a volley while leaning back under pressure form the defender, and his effort bounced narrowly over the bar. The young striker has had a couple of half-chances but nothing glaring so far.

07:02 PM BST

57 minutes: Farencvaros 0 Spurs 1

Promising spell of possession from Farencvaros, resulting in Traore taking on Gray, but the Spurs defence stands firm on the cross. Bergvall has been rather underwhelming in the Spurs midfield. Saldanha then overhits a pass towards Traore and Vicario gathers.

06:58 PM BST

53 minutes: Farencvaros 0 Spurs 1

The smoke has now cleared and we can see the action. Teasing cross lofted into the box from Porro, and Farencvaros defender Cisse headed behind under very little pressure. Spurs fail to turn the corner into a chance, before another Moore dribble runs out for a goal kick.

06:54 PM BST

50 minutes: Farencvaros 0 Spurs 1

Moore caught in possession after a heavy touch in his own half, and Vicario produces a wonderful save to turn Saldanha’s curling shot behind.

Now the referee has stopped proceedings because of a thick layer of smoke covering the pitch. Impossible for either linesman to see the other side of the pitch. Pyro from the home fans to blame.

We are back under way now.

06:51 PM BST

47 minutes: Farencvaros 0 Spurs 1

Spurs start the second half with a spell of possession in the Farencvaros half. Eye-catching burst forward from the back from Archie Gray, striding through midfield, but he is halted on the edge of the Farencvaros defensive third. Gray has actually switched to left-back with Davies going to centre-back now.

06:49 PM BST

The players are back out for the second half

No changes from Postecoglou, who has the likes of Maddison, Kulusevski, Solanke and Van de Ven to call upon should he so wish.

06:44 PM BST

Some context regarding the youth of this Spurs’ XI

06:36 PM BST

Sam’s half-time verdict

Spurs endured a shaky start to this match but they will be relatively pleased with how they have calmed things down since their goal. They are now pushing much higher up the pitch and keeping the ball in opposition territory.

You can see why Moore has generated so much hype in recent years. His talent is obvious, and he and Pedro Porro have done well down the right wing.

06:34 PM BST

HT: Farencvaros 0 Spurs 1

The big positive for Spurs is the performance of Mikey Moore, who has looked as accomplished as the buzz around him suggested. There are more goals here for Spurs, but they have also looked vulnerable defensively when Farcencvaros find a way to progress up with pitch with quality.

06:31 PM BST

44 minutes: Farencvaros 0 Spurs 1

Slick football from Spurs again to win another corner, with Moore’s cross from the right turned behind. Decent hit on the volley from Gray from around 35 yards, worth a go on a skiddy surface, but the goalkeeper was right behind it.

06:30 PM BST

42 minutes: Farencvaros 0 Spurs 1

Mikey Moore and Porro combining again, and the full-back is shoved to the ground by Abu Fani. Spurs free-kick, more than likely in a crossing position. Porro swings one towards the back post but Davies is judged to have fouled in the Farencvaros box.

06:24 PM BST

38 minutes: Farencvaros 0 Spurs 1

A nice move from Farencvaros again down their left flank. Spurs trying to press high, but it is too easy for the hosts to find a way out into midfield. Traore could not keep his effort down. There will surely be more goals in this game, probably at both ends.

06:20 PM BST

34 minutes: Farencvaros 0 Spurs 1

Pedro Porro involved again for Spurs going forward. He almost won a penalty after a skipping beyond a defender in the box, before the ball broke his way and Porro hit the post with a left-footed effort. Spurs had their defensive problems early on, but Farencvaros also look porous.

06:18 PM BST

32 minutes: Farencvaros 0 Spurs 1

Spurs now trying to control the game through possession, they have managed to avoid coughing up any more chances since scoring. Moore, Bergvall and Porro looking a promising triangle for Spurs down their right, and Porro’s cross deflectes behind for a corner.

06:14 PM BST

27 minutes: Farencvaros 0 Spurs 1

Moore involved in all of Tottenham’s best moments so far; the 17-year old has been their best player so far. On this occasion, he dribbles into traffic after another foray from the left flank.

You wouldn’t say it’s a goal that’s been coming for Spurs, who have weathered some heavy pressure in the last few minutes, but it’s an accomplished finish by Pape Sarr. There was some more good work by Moore in the build-up — he has started impressively on the right wing.

06:10 PM BST

GOOOALL! Sarr gives Spurs the lead

Positive play from Mikey Moore again to drive forward at the start of the move, but it was a mess in the penalty area. The Farencvaros defender completely turned his back on both Sarr and the ball, and the Spurs midfielder tucked it away. That should settle Spurs down.

“Pantomime football,” says Glenn Hoddle on TNT Sports which is about right.

06:07 PM BST

20 minutes: Farencvaros 0 Spurs 0

Spurs all at sea defensively, too easy for Farencvaros to breach their high line one again. Traore rises to head narrowly wide at the back post, before Vicario is forced into a fantastic reaction save after Varga directed a return cross at goal. There have been some bright moments from Moore going forward, but Spurs looking characteristically vulnerable again.

06:05 PM BST

17 minutes: Farencvaros 0 Spurs 0

Huge let off there for Spurs, Farencvaros thought they had taken the lead through Varga’s header but the flag went up for offside.

The striker was clearly onside when the cross came in but, after a VAR review, they deemed that Traore (in an offside position) was affecting Vicario’s position when Varha headed into the far corner. That looks harsh on the Hungarians.

05:59 PM BST

13 minutes: Farencvaros 0 Spurs 0

Better from Spurs after that tricky opening few minutes. Quick feet for Sarr to make room for a shot from the edge of the box but the Dibusz was equal to it. Farencvaros finding it harder to track Tottenham’s movement now.

05:57 PM BST

Difficult conditions in Budapest

Aside from a brief moment of calm this morning, it has pretty much rained non-stop since Spurs arrived in Budapest yesterday afternoon. It’s still chucking it down now and it does seem to be having an impact on the pitch, with quite a few players slipping over in these first few minutes.

05:57 PM BST

10 minutes: Farencvaros 0 Spurs 0

Decent chance gone for Lankshear! Werner stopped and started his full-back and teased in a dangerous cross, but Tottenham’s young striker could not connect cleanly with the header. Bounced off his shoulder and over.

05:56 PM BST

9 minutes: Farencvaros 0 Spurs 0

Traore with a curling shot from the edge of the area, comfortable for Vicario. Then Mikey Moore shows his ball-carrying skills and close control to buy Spurs a foul in the opposition’s half. A Porro cross skips right the way across the area. Moore then feeds the ball into a dangerous area but Farencvaros clear.

05:53 PM BST

7 minutes: Farencvaros 0 Spurs 0

Spurs finding it difficult to give the likes of Moore and Lankshear some settling touches of the ball in the early minutes. Bissouma with a clean tackle in midfield, getting his studs to the ball ahead of Gartenmann. Spurs then hammer away after Farencvaros headed down a free-kick swung to the back post.

05:51 PM BST

4 minutes: Farencvaros 0 Spurs 0

Spurs enjoy their first spell of possession in the Farencvaros half, but it breaks down, and the home team are quick to exploit that space Spurs leave down the sides of their two-centre backs. Traore received the ball in space down the right and teed up Varga, but he scooped over.

05:49 PM BST

2 minutes: Farencvaros 0 Spurs 0

A bright start from the home team, with Spurs failing to clear a cross from the left before Bissouma is caught in possession just outside his own penalty area. Then Farencvaros with a corner after another forway down the left. The Hunguarian side have a player down in the area, but Spurs survive.

05:46 PM BST

Kick off!

Tottenham get the game started. Gray is starting as a left centre-back with Ben Davies at left-back.

05:43 PM BST

The players are on their way of the tunnel

Farencvaros have a strong home record, and you would imagine their players are emboldened by seeing such a youthful Tottenham team. The chants begin from the home ultras as soon as the Europa League music concludes.

The Groupama Arena is not quite full (yet) but it is rowdy. The ultras, all in black, are based behind the goal to the left of the managers. They’ve got banners, drums and a megaphone. It’s pretty formidable.

05:32 PM BST

Do not adjust your sets

Spurs requested to play in their blue kit against Ferencvaros (green and white) tonight, but Uefa ruled that it would be too much of a kit clash. So Spurs are instead wearing their third kit, which is… green. Make of that what you will!

05:28 PM BST

Postecoglou on trusting his youngsters

05:25 PM BST

There is 19-year-old Will Lankshear

05:15 PM BST

Spurs building for the future

For those with interest in reading more about the youthful direction that Spurs are taking this season, may I politely divert your attention towards this piece from August?

05:07 PM BST

Postecoglou speaking about the influence of Puskas

05:00 PM BST

Four teenagers in Tottenham’s team tonight

It’s certainly a bold team selection by Ange Postecoglou, with Will Lankshear and Mikey Moore both given their full debuts for the club.

Moore is one of the most exciting talents in the country, and is the youngest player to appear for Spurs in the Premier League. A brilliant dribbler, he is seen by many as the best player to come out of the Spurs academy in years.

Lankshear, meanwhile, joined Spurs from Sheffield United in 2022, for around £2 million. He had previously been released by Arsenal, much like Harry Kane, another striker who made the leap from the Spurs academy into the first-team...

04:51 PM BST

The two teams in full

Ferencvaros XI: Dibusz, Gartenmann, Cisse, Raul Gustavo, Ramirez, Abu Fani, Maiga, Traore, Saldanha, Civic, Barnabas Varga

Subs: Adam Varga, Ben Romdhane, Pesic, Kady, Zachariassen, Botka, Szalai, Makreckis, Gruber, Toth, Rommens, Misidjan

Tottenham Hotspur XI: Vicario, Porro, Romero, Gray, Davies, Sarr, Bissouma, Bergvall, Werner, Lankshear, Moore

Subs: Forster, Austin, Maddison, Solanke, Kulusevski, Johnson, Bentancur, van de Ven, Dorrington, Cassanova, Ajayi

04:49 PM BST

Tottenham’s players have arrived

04:47 PM BST

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04:35 PM BST

Exciting team news for Spurs fans

There is a lot of hype around 17-year-old attacking midfielder Mikey Moore, and he makes his full Spurs debut in Budapest this evening. Will Lankshear is another forward from the Tottenham academy, who looks to be leading the line with Solanke on the bench.

The question is where Archie Gray plays: will it be at centre-back with Ben Davies in his usual left-back role, or will Postecoglou trust Davies’ experience at centre-back and play Gray as a full-back?

04:32 PM BST

Tottenham team and subs

04:28 PM BST

Some news of note for Spurs fans

Dominic Solanke has been called up to the England squad for this month’s internationals. There was some angst around Solanke’s form after the £65 million summer signing failed to score for a few games, but he is up and running now with three in three.

04:26 PM BST

Spurs looking to maintain the feel-good factor after Old Trafford win

After the recrimination and searching questions that followed last month’s north London derby defeat - which left Tottenham with four points from four Premier League games - things have picked up for Ange Postecoglou’s team.

Granted, they required a late turnaround at Coventry City in the Carabao Cup after failing to impress for most of the game, but Djed Spence’s equaliser that night could prove to be a sliding doors moment.

Spurs then came from behind to beat Brentford 3-1 in the Premier League, vanquished Qarabag 3-0 with 10 men before delivering their most impressive performance under Postecoglou at Old Trafford on Sunday.

As tends to be the case with Spurs, there was a helter-skelter feel to these wins: they fell behind inside a minute against Brentford; saw Radu Dragusin sent off and Qarabag miss a penalty; and benefited from a Bruno Fernandes’ red card against Man Utd. There is no question that Spurs were the better team though, and their possession and territorial dominance is starting to pay dividends.

With a trip to Brighton on Sunday, Postecoglou may well be considering some rotation for tonight’s Europa League away game against Hungarian side Ferencvaros. Spurs already have three points on the board in the competition’s new league phase, and are expected to require around 12 more points from their seven remaining games to reach the last 16. So there is margin for error.

Postecoglou’s options are limited by injuries to Destiny Udogie, Djed Spence and Sergio Reguilon. Ben Davies is expected to start at left-back. Dragusin would have started this one, but is suspended, so Spurs must decide whether to risk Cristian Romero and Micky van de Van or deploy Archie Gray as centre-back. Yves Bissouma and Lucas Bergvall are likely to start in midfield.

Despite their name, Ferencvaros have no connection to Farenc Puskas - who played his club football for Honved before joining Real Madrid - but the trip to Budapest may have some resonance for Postecoglou. Puskas managed Postecoglou at South Melbourne Hellas, and the Spurs manager has cited him as one of the foremost influences on his coaching philosophy.