Advertisement

Ange Postecoglou’s teenage talents seize chance to set up a victory ‘made in Tottenham’

Oyindamola Ajayi celebrates his first goal for Tottenham after coming off the bench/Postecoglou's home-grown talents provide Tottenham with European respite
Oyindamola Ajayi celebrates his first goal for Tottenham after coming off the bench - Getty Images

If Tottenham Hotspur’s kids are not careful, they will convince under-fire chairman Daniel Levy to put his chequebook away.

On the day it emerged Spurs had verbally agreed a £50 million fee for French teenager Mathys Tel, three of the club’s academy graduates fired the club into the last 16 of the Europa League.

Tel can play anywhere across the front three, but it was three young Spurs attackers who scored their first goals for the club. As head coach Ange Postecoglou said, it was a night made in Tottenham.

Manchester United and Chelsea are also interested in Tel, so Postecoglou may yet have to give Dane Scarlett, Oyindamola Ajayi and Mikey Moore another chance to add to their first Spurs goals.

“It was made in Tottenham tonight,” the manager said. “A great night for the club. The academy coaches and players won’t sleep because they’re pretty excited. We knew we’d have to rely on young players tonight. We have all the way through and they stood up really well.”

Mikey Moore of Tottenham Hotspur scores his team's third goal/Postecoglou's home-grown talents provide Tottenham with European respite
Mikey Moore seals victory with his team’s third goal - Getty Images

Postecoglou chuckled when it was put to him that the impact of Tottenham’s youngsters may convince the club they do not need to spend. He could not offer any insight on the club’s pursuit of Tel.

“I can’t tell you anything about Tel,” Postecoglou said. “I’ve been focusing on getting the team prepared. Others are working in the background. I’m allowing them to get on with it and if and when there’s anything to tell you…

“I keep saying it’s been a tough period and it still is in terms of league form. But there’s still been real growth that I believe will come to fruition at a point. I’m certain about that. The young players, the growth in the whole group is going to be enormous. Right now, it’s about trying to address issues at hand.”

The joy of seeing Scarlett, Ajayi and Moore find the net was slightly tempered by yet another injury – to half-time substitute Radu Dragusin, who went down clutching his knee.

“Unfortunately, Radu hurt his knee,” Postecoglou said. “No further information. We’ll have to see, but it didn’t look good when he was coming off.”

Postecoglou did manage to see the funny side, or perhaps felt he would cry if he did not laugh, as he feigned injury himself after kicking the ball on to the pitch once Dragusin had been forced off.

“I almost did my hamstring, mate,” said Postecoglou with a smirk. “You’ve got to enjoy it. It was a great night for the club in terms of a nice story to tell, three home-grown products on the scoresheet.”

Dragusin’s half-time introduction had been planned, as Micky van de Ven returned from injury but was deemed fit enough only for 45 minutes, having played one game since Oct 30. Postecoglou described the Dutchman’s condition as “fine”.

The prize of finishing in the top eight of the league phase of the competition includes playing two fewer games, which will afford Tottenham’s players some rest in February.

Scarlett was introduced as an emergency measure in the 66th minute, when Dragusin was forced off after appearing to twist his knee.

With no other defenders to turn to, Postecoglou sent Scarlett on, moved Pape Sarr to left-back and Ben Davies switched to the centre of defence. Four minutes later, Scarlett headed Spurs into the lead.

Another substitute, Dejan Kulusevski, provided the cross that Scarlett sent past Elfsborg goalkeeper Isak Petterson to score his first goal for the club, having made his debut in November 2020, aged 16 years and 247 days.

Dane Scarlett celebrates breaking the deadlock for Tottenham/Postecoglou's home-grown talents provide Tottenham with European respite
Dane Scarlett celebrates breaking the deadlock for the hosts - Richard Pelham/Getty Images

“It was amazing,” said Scarlett. “I have been waiting for that moment for a long time. I have been on loan and experienced men’s football. I feel really good now. Ready to kick on. Very happy.

“I have just been training hard with a clear mind and waiting for the opportunity. Today it came and I am just grateful that the team won.”

Having also played for Oxford this season, Scarlett will spend the remainder of the campaign at Tottenham. His goal prompted Postecoglou to give Richarlison a rest, sending on 19-year-old winger Ajayi in the Brazilian’s place.

And, in the 84th minute, Ajayi cut in, played a one-two with Scarlett and sent a low shot from the edge of the penalty area into the corner of the net.

Ajayi celebrated his debut goal wildly and it seemed to inspire Moore, Tottenham’s brilliant 17-year-old, to get in on the act. With the game won, the forward surged towards goal and had only one thing on his mind as he ignored team-mates and sent a shot past Petterson.

Postecoglou said of Moore: “I think he started well, but struggled after that. He’s 17 and that’s part of his growth. The goal will give him confidence. He’s been good in this tournament. He’s 17 and if he keeps developing, he’s got all the attributes to be an outstanding talent and he’ll remember tonight, which is great.”

Asked if the result had given him a much-needed boost, Postecoglou said: “It’s great, but it’s a much prouder moment for the club itself. That’s what academies are for. Those three boys were probably on the terraces, so our fans can relate to that. We’re in a tough spot in the league, but that will be hugely enjoyable for everyone, the fact that three Tottenham lads have scored on a European night. It’s great for the club and my mind is now on Sunday.”


10:35 PM GMT

Thanks for joining us

That brings to an end our coverage of this Europa League clash which saw Tottenham cement their spot in the last 16. Thanks for joining us!


10:35 PM GMT

Postecoglou gives fitness updates

Postecoglou confirms that the three players withdrawn at half-time - Son, Van de Ven and Bentancur - were all okay and it was a matter of managing minutes.

He does also confirm though that Dragusin’s injury is to his knee and says “it is a bit of a worry”.


10:31 PM GMT

Postecoglou: ‘Made in Tottenham tonight’

Speaking to TNT Sports about the result, Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou said: “Really pleased. Obviously the objective was to try and win today and secure our spot in that top eight I thought the boys were great.

”We controlled the game, we were never really threatened, we had to be patient because they sat really deep and we had to bide our time but the game opened up towards the end.

On the three young goal scorers, he said: “Made in Tottenham tonight .

“Super pleased for the young boys. We shouldn’t lose sight of the fact we had a another couple of other 18 year olds out there as well.

“It’s great for the club, I’m sure those boys wont sleep tonight but we need that we needed that we needed some energy.”


10:26 PM GMT

Youngsters goals will ‘galvanise’ Tottenham, says Cole

Speaking on TNT Sports about the three goal scorers, Joe Cole said: “It galvanises the place because them three lads - everyone in the stadium from their family, to the staff who have worked with them through the academies, all there all rooting for them.

“They all score on the same night. That lifts the fans, that lifts the players around them.

“Van de Ven coming back is massive and getting through 45 minutes - that’s massive for Spurs tonight.”


10:20 PM GMT

Tottenham’s youngsters turn up


10:15 PM GMT

‘Nothing short of what Scarlett deserves’, says Davies

Speaking to TNT Sports, Tottenham defender Ben Davies said: “It was important to just get the job done tonight. We know those games can be banana skins the longer they stay 0-0. You can feel the anxiety around the place and it just builds.

“Thankfully this guy [Dane Scarlett] comes on and changes the game. A good win overall.

“He [Scarlett] came on in a game that was quite tough at times and he changed it for us. Dane’s worked so hard over the last few years that I have been here with him. He’s had to go on loan, play limited minutes in lots of games too. But to come on and play the way he did in that game was amazing. Nothing short of what he deserves.”


10:13 PM GMT

The kids are alright

Tottenham Hotspur's Dane Scarlett celebrates scoring their first goal
Tottenham Hotspur’s Dane Scarlett celebrates scoring their first goal - Reuters/Matthew Childs
Damola Ajayi celebrates scoring Tottenham's second goal
Damola Ajayi celebrates scoring Tottenham’s second goal - Getty Images/Richard Pelham
Tottenham Hotspur's Mikey Moore celebrates scoring their side's third goal
Tottenham Hotspur’s Mikey Moore celebrates scoring their side’s third goal - PA/Adam Davy

10:09 PM GMT

Tottenham can’t face United until final

The final standings mean Manchester United and Tottenham cannot meet until the final. Will it be an all-English affair in Bilbao in May?


10:07 PM GMT

What next?

Manchester United and Tottenham will play one of AZ Alkmaar, Midtjylland, Real Sociedad or Galatasaray in the last 16.

Rangers will play one of Fenerbahce, Twente, Bodo/Glimt or Anderlecht.


10:06 PM GMT

Scarlett ‘ready to kick on’

Speaking to TNT Sports, Tottenham forward Dane Scarlett said: “It was amazing. I have been waiting for that moment for a long time. I have been on loan and experienced men’s football. I feel really good now. Ready to kick on. Very happy.

“I have just been training hard with a clear mind and waiting for the opportunity. Today it came and I am just grateful that the team won.”


10:05 PM GMT

WATCH: Moore seals victory with first goal


10:03 PM GMT

Final results

With Manchester United and Rangers also winning this evening, all three British sides have secured top-eight finishes and a place in the last 16.


10:02 PM GMT

‘Great scenes for Spurs’, says Crouch

Speaking on TNT Sports, Peter Crouch said: “Great scenes for Spurs. In a game where things began downbeat and you thought there may not be many smiles, the three lads come off the bench to score.

“You can see what it means to the squad, all of the players on the bench, the ones sat injured on the sideline, it is a great feeling to see academy lads have such an influence on an important game.”


10:00 PM GMT

Tottenham finish fourth

With virtually all of this evening’s ties coming to an end, Tottenham have confirmed their final position of fourth in the group-phase standings.

They will now play the winners of one of the play-off ties involving the teams finishing in 13th/14th and 19th/20th.


09:57 PM GMT

Hoddle: ‘Three wise men? It’s three young men for Spurs’

Speaking on TNT Sports, Glenn Hoddle said: “What a fabulous feeling for Mikey Moore.

“He is so positive, uses his strength to beat his man to get one v one and as soon as he gets in that position he drops his shoulder and tucks it back across goal beautifully.

“Three wise men? It’s three young men tonight for Spurs.”


09:56 PM GMT

Full time: Tottenham Hotspur 3 Elfsborg 0

That goal was the last action of the match and Tottenham have secured their place in the top eight of the group-phase standings and the last 16 of the competition.


09:54 PM GMT

GOAL! Moore adds a third for Tottenham

Tottenham Hotspur 3 Elfsborg 0 (Moore) What a fabulous goal from the youngster who also scores his first for the club.

He shrugs his man off the ball just inside the Elfsborg half before driving to the edge of the box. He cuts across to work the ball onto his right foot and finishes clinically into the bottom left corner.


09:50 PM GMT

90+2 mins: Tottenham Hotspur 2 Elfsborg 0

There are four minutes added on at the end here but the hosts are home and dry as they continue to knock the ball around and run the clock down.


09:48 PM GMT

89 mins: Tottenham Hotspur 2 Elfsborg 0

Bergvall picks up a late yellow card as he brings down his man in midfield. Not the best night for the midfielder but it won’t matter too much with his side en route to victory.


09:45 PM GMT

GOAL! Ajayi doubles advantage on debut

Tottenham Hotspur 2 Elfsborg 0 (Ajayi) Ajayi picks the ball up and drives inside from the right before playing a one-two with Scarlett, who has his back to goal.

Ajayi takes a touch out of his feet before striking home with his left foot into the bottom right corner, less than four minutes after coming on!

What a moment on his debut and what an impact from the two substitutes.


09:42 PM GMT

83 mins: Tottenham Hotspur 1 Elfsborg 0

With Twente taking the lead against Besiktas, Elfsborg now need a goal otherwise they are going out.


09:41 PM GMT

82 mins: Tottenham Hotspur 1 Elfsborg 0

Moore goes on a dynamic run inside from the right and picks out Richarlison just inside the box but he drags his effort well, well wide.

That is the Brazilian’s last action as he is replaced by Ajayi. Meanwhile, the visitors make three changes as Richtner, Frick and Kaib come on in place of Rapp, Abdullai and Thomasen.


09:37 PM GMT

79 mins: Tottenham Hotspur 1 Elfsborg 0

Despite Tottenham taking the lead, Elfsborg continue to sit in a really deep shape.

As it stands they are in 24th, which is the final play-off spot, leading Braga and Besiktas only on goal difference. So perhaps a warranted tactic.


09:36 PM GMT

‘Fabulous goal from Scarlett’, says Hoddle

Speaking on TNT Sports, Glenn Hoddle said: “What a fabulous goal from the young man Dane Scarlett.

“He came on as a sub a few minutes ago and hasn’t had many touches of the ball. He has made a few good runs and got into some good positions.

“It is a quality ball from Dejan Kulusevski and Scarlett finishes it with aplomb. A great header.”


09:33 PM GMT

74 mins: Tottenham Hotspur 1 Elfsborg 0

As it stands, Tottenham are up to fifth thanks to Scarlett’s first ever Tottenham goal.

Just moments after taking the lead, the home side nearly double their advantage as Moore is found in the right of the box but his low drilled effort from a tight angle is saved well.


09:31 PM GMT

GOAL! Scarlett breaks the deadlock

Tottenham Hotspur 1 Elfsborg 0 (Scarlett) Just moments after coming off the bench, Scarlett provides Tottenham with the all-important breakthrough.

Kulusevski picks the ball up on Tottenham’s right before shifting the ball onto his left foot and delivering a sublime inswinging ball into the box that finds the head of Scarlett who nods home into the bottom right corner.

What an impact from the youngster!


09:25 PM GMT

66 mins: Tottenham Hotspur 0 Elfsborg 0

Bissouma has dropped into central defence for now with Dragusin receiving treatment and Tottenham are down to 10 for the moment.

Postecoglou sends on Dragusin and he almost immediately sits down. Hiljemark is not happy, perhaps suggesting the Tottenham manager did it to have the game stopped, with his side down a man. He might just be right!

Dragusin is then replaced by centre-forward Scarlett.


09:21 PM GMT

63 mins: Tottenham Hotspur 0 Elfsborg 0

Dragusin has gone down clutching his knee, which is not a sight that Postecoglou wants to see. Replays show it was the way he landed rather than a collision and this is not good news for Tottenham.


09:18 PM GMT

59 mins: Tottenham Hotspur 0 Elfsborg 0

Tottenham have their best moment of the half as Porro does well to beat his man before delivering a cross into the box that Bergvall gets on the end of, but his diving header from six yards out is straight at Pettersson. Good chance!


09:17 PM GMT

56 mins: Tottenham Hotspur 0 Elfsborg 0

That chance for the visitors should be a real wakeup call for Tottenham who haven’t looked any better since the break - they have probably dropped a level in intensity if anything.

They have a chance now to cause problems now as Sarr’s diagonal ball is headed behind for a corner by Hedlund. Yegbe heads away strongly from the initial delivery though before doing the same as the ball comes back into the box.


09:13 PM GMT

53 mins: Tottenham Hotspur 0 Elfsborg 0

So close for Elfsborg! Rapp has the ball on the left of the box and after standing Porro up, he plays a smart ball into the area into the feet of Zeneli.

He takes a clever first touch to work room for the shot on his left foot. His effort flicks up off Dragusin’s leg and Abdullai goes for the acrobatic effort from a couple of yards out but it goes just over.


09:08 PM GMT

49 mins: Tottenham Hotspur 0 Elfsborg 0

Moore has naturally moved over to the left with Kulusevski coming on on the right flank. Kulusevski is involved early on as he shrugs his man off and drives well down his side but his cross is cleared.

Moments later and the ball falls to Davies who decides to let fly from range and while his effort is well struck and on target, it is comfortable for Pettersson.


09:04 PM GMT

46 mins: Tottenham Hotspur 0 Elfsborg 0

We are back underway for the second half. Can Tottenham find a way through?

Postecoglou has made a triple-change and the break and has brought on Dragusin, Bissouma and Kulusevski for Van de Ven, Bentancur and Son.

The Van de Ven withdrawal was reportedly a planned one.


09:02 PM GMT

Half-time scores


09:01 PM GMT

‘Keep getting the ball to Son’, says Crouch

Speaking on TNT Sports, Peter Crouch said: “It is so difficult for Tottenham because Elfsborg have so many players behind the ball.

“There are spaces in the wide areas. Mikey Moore ran at his full back in the opening minutes and you thought it was only a matter of time before they found the opener.

“Son Heung-Min has been absolutely destroying his full back on this left hand side too. They just need to keep getting the ball to him.”


08:51 PM GMT

As it stands

With Anderlecht being pegged back against Hoffenheim, Tottenham are back where they started the evening in sixth.

With Lyon and Manchester United drawing, and Frankfurt losing, Tottenham would - as it stands - go into second if they can take the lead.


08:46 PM GMT

Half-time: Tottenham Hotspur 0 Elfsborg 0

Tottenham continue to knock on the door in the closing stages of the first half but they have no luck and Elfsborg do reach the interval with the game all-square.

It has been all Tottenham in terms of possession and territory but they have not created a great deal to show for it.

Their two best chances came following wonderful pieces of skill from Son down their left.

The first chance came as he beat his man and pulled the ball back to Sarr but his effort was cleared off the line before a similar move a few moments later saw Moore denied by a good save from Pettersson.


08:44 PM GMT

43 mins: Tottenham Hotspur 0 Elfsborg 0

Elfsborg have the chance to break and Rapp soon finds himself in a 1v1 situation with Gray inside the left of the Tottenham box but the former Leeds man defends well to block Rapp’s effort and win the goal-kick.

You can hear cries from what I assume is the Elsfborg bench, saying: “Three minutes come on!” They will be delighted to get to the interval with the clean sheet intact.


08:41 PM GMT

39 mins: Tottenham Hotspur 0 Elfsborg 0

Hedlund takes no risks from Sarr’s first time ball into the box as he nods it behind for a corner down Tottenham’s left.

Son plays it short before getting it back and beating his man on the outside once again with some great skill. He pulls it back to Mikey Moore who opens his body as he looks to tuck home with his right foot but Pettersson reacts really well to deny the youngster.

Everything good from Tottenham has come through Son this evening, he is looking really sharp.


08:36 PM GMT

36 mins: Tottenham Hotspur 0 Elfsborg 0

Tottenham once again find themselves in the right of the box, but once again from that position, the final ball lets them down as Elfsborg can clear once again.

Richarlison picks the ball up in the left of the box and he can shift it onto his right foot but he can’t wrap his foot around his effort, which goes wide of the top right corner.


08:34 PM GMT

33 mins: Tottenham Hotspur 0 Elfsborg 0

Tottenham create their best chance of the game and it’s all through the magic of Son. The winger shimmies past his defender wonderfully to get into the box.

His pull-back is deflected into the path of Sarr and the midfielder looks to stroke home into the bottom right corner but his effort is cleared off of the line by Hult.


08:32 PM GMT

31 mins: Tottenham Hotspur 0 Elfsborg 0

Van de Ven plays an excellently-executed ball over the top, into the left channel for Son to run onto. He crosses first-time, with the ball on the bounce but Holmen gets across well to head away and deny Richarlison.

Porro then takes aim from a long way out but his effort balloons over.


08:29 PM GMT

28 mins: Tottenham Hotspur 0 Elfsborg 0

Sarr is found in that right channel where Tottenham are finding some joy. He pulls it back to an onrushing Porro but his first-time effort from inside the box is blocked.

After Elfsborg come forward, Tottenham have a rare chance to counter but as Bergvall drives into the visitors’ half, his final ball with the outside of the boot is so wasteful. Really strange decision to play the pass when he did, it was a very low percentage choice.


08:25 PM GMT

24 mins: Tottenham Hotspur 0 Elfsborg 0

Son skips past three defenders before digging a cross out from the by-line. It looked like it may have gone out but play goes on and his cross finds the head of Porro whose effort is straight at Pettersson in goal.

Bergvall turns nicely in midfield before finding Son, who has come infield, but his shot from range is blocked.


08:23 PM GMT

22 mins: Tottenham Hotspur 0 Elfsborg 0

Moore plays a delightful ball round the corner that frees Porro into the right channel but his pull-back into the centre of the box is poor.

Bentancur is found in a similar position a few moments later but his cross is easily steered away at the near post.

Elsewhere, Anderlecht have taken the lead meaning Tottenham have dropped into seventh in the standings, for now.


08:19 PM GMT

‘Last pass missing’, says Hoddle

Speaking on TNT Sports, Glenn Hoddle said: “The story of Tottenham so far is that there is some really good approach work, from the left side and right, some nice passing, but the last pass is missing.”


08:17 PM GMT

17 mins: Tottenham Hotspur 0 Elfsborg 0

Son’s delivery is flicked on crucially by Holmen but it gives the home side another corner down the right this time. It’s worked to Bergvall on the edge of the box but his cross is poor and out for a goal-kick at the near post.

Elfsborg have a rare flurry into the attacking third as Tottenham give it away but Henriksson soon fouls Richarlison and it’s back to Tottenham possession.


08:14 PM GMT

14 mins: Tottenham Hotspur 0 Elfsborg 0

There are some half-hearted and slightly sheepish appeals from Davies for a penalty as he goes down in the left of the box but I think even he knew it would have been soft.

Son and Davies combine nicely and Tottenham have another corner down their left. It’s all been coming down this side since Moore’s run in the opening minute.


08:12 PM GMT

11 mins: Tottenham Hotspur 0 Elfsborg 0

Son, surprisingly, goes for goal with a low effort from the free-kick, looking to catch Pettersson out at the near post but it’s turned behind for the corner by a defender.

The resulting corner is put right on Pettersson but Davies can’t get his header right under pressure from the keeper and it goes way wide from a couple of yards out.


08:09 PM GMT

8 mins: Tottenham Hotspur 0 Elfsborg 0

Bergvall finds Porro with a nice switch of play and the full-back has space to drive into. 10 yards from the edge of the box, he whips in a sublime cross towards the back post but it’s just too high for Richarlison to get a meaningful contact on it.

Son, down Tottenham’s left, beats Hedlund on the outside with some quick stepovers and he has his heels clipped by the wing-back. Free-kick for the home side in a dangerous position, just left of the box.


08:04 PM GMT

4 mins: Tottenham Hotspur 0 Elfsborg 0

There is an early chance for Tottenham as Mikey Moore does well down the right before delivering a ball across the six-yard box but Richarlison can’t get a toe on it before Son’s effort is blocked.

Tottenham are dominating the ball early on here, which is unsurprising given Elfsborg have had the lowest average possession in the Europa League this year.


08:01 PM GMT

1 min: Tottenham Hotspur 0 Elfsborg 0

We are underway at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium with Sarr and Tottenham getting things underway going from right to left.

It looks like Gray is starting as right centre-back with Van de Ven to his left and Davies at left-back.


07:59 PM GMT

Tottenham need to ‘stay together’, says Hoddle

Speaking on TNT Sports, former Tottenham manager Glenn Hoddle said: “There is always pressure but at the moment Tottenham are in a bit of a hole. They need to stay together as a collective.

“They are playing against a side they should beat here but tonight looking at the situation you should get a good performance and a good win.”


07:58 PM GMT

Kick-off moments away

The players have emerged and we are just a couple of minutes away from kick-off in north London. Will Tottenham guarantee a top eight finish with a much-needed win or will the visitors cause an unlikely upset to guarantee their spot in the play-offs?


07:54 PM GMT

What Tottenham need

As kick-off approaches, a reminder that Tottenham are sixth on 14 points, meaning only a win against Elfsborg would guarantee a spot in the top eight and a place in the last 16.

Postecoglou’s men are level on points with Anderlecht and FCSB, in seventh and eighth, while Galatasaray and Bodo/Glimt are just a point behind in ninth and 10th.


07:51 PM GMT

Tottenham’s domestic form

Tottenham are having a tough time of it domestically having lost six of their last seven games in the Premier League and drawing the other.

The most recent defeat came at home against Leicester on the weekend and was perhaps the most concerning of the recent run.

The visitors came from behind to win 2-1 after losing their last seven games in the league.

Postecoglou’s men are currently sat in 15th, nine points adrift of the top half of the table.

Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou
Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou - PA/Mike Egerton

07:47 PM GMT

Van de Ven ‘integral’ to Tottenham, says Crouch

Discussing Micky van de Ven’s return to fitness on TNT Sports, former Tottenham striker Peter Crouch said: “Just being around the stadium today there was a big buzz about having Van de Ven back.

“At one point the entire back five were out with the goalkeeper as well.

“But he’s the key man. I think the way Ange wants to play, it feels like the team kind of revolves around him being fit because if they want to play that high line, with his pace he can get them out of so much trouble.

“He can press and be on the front foot. He’s integral to what Tottenham and Ange are trying to do.”

Tottenham Hotspur's Micky van de Ven
Tottenham Hotspur’s Micky van de Ven - Reuters/Matthew Childs

07:44 PM GMT

‘Scrutiny doesn’t affect me’, says Postecoglou

Discussing the scrutiny surrounding his future, Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou said this week: “It doesn’t affect me. It never has - it never will. I don’t have to respond to that or get involved with that. We’re in a great position to still achieve something really special this year.”

On whether he has got the support he wanted in the transfer window: “Everyone’s trying their utmost. I don’t think anyone is working against me or wants me to fail. In these type of situations, it’s a tough gig being a manager. The people I work with are doing their utmost to help me and the guys through this. My focus is firmly on what I can control.”

Postecoglou said there “isn’t anything imminent” in terms of transfers but said: “That doesn’t mean possibilities aren’t being explored. The last few days of the window tend to be a bit frenetic. I expect us to be involved in that.”

Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou
Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou - Getty Images/Clive Rose

07:39 PM GMT

Unchartered territory for Elfsborg

Tottenham’s only previous meeting with Swedish opposition was in the 1995 Intertoto Cup as they were beaten 2-1 by Östers IF at Brighton’s Goldstone Ground.

This is Elfsborg’s first-ever game against English opposition, and their first meeting with a British side since a goalless draw with Celtic in qualifying for the 2013/14 Uefa Champions League.


07:35 PM GMT

Elfsborg’s campaign

With Elfsborg’s domestic season in Sweden coming to an end in December, they have played just twice so far in 2025, with one of those games being a friendly match.

Their only competitive fixture of this calendar year came last week in the Europa League at home against Nice and it was a 1-0 win for Oscar Hiljemark’s side.

It marked their third win in seven games in Europe this season following wins against Roma and Qarabag.

After finishing second in the Swedish top-flight in 2023, it was a less fruitful season domestically this time around for Elfsborg as they finished seventh.


07:32 PM GMT

Ominous sign for visitors

Tottenham are undefeated in 16 games at home in all European competitions since losing 1-0 to RB Leipzig in February 2020.

Meanwhile, Elfsborg have lost seven of their last eight away games in major European competitions, conceding 24 goals across these eight games.


07:23 PM GMT

Tottenham’s season ‘falling off a cliff’, says Cole

Speaking on TNT Sports, former Chelsea midfielder Joe Cole said: “Spurs really need a good performance tonight.

“Looking at the team sheet Micky van de Ven being back is crucial for them, Ange Postecoglou will have been crossing his fingers that him and Cristian Romero will be back fit soon. Their season is falling off a cliff and he is struggling.”


07:19 PM GMT

Tottenham’s European campaign so far

Tottenham have picked up four wins from their seven Europa League fixtures this season and have lost on just one occasion.

Postecoglou’s side got off to a perfect start in the competition with successive victories over Qarabag, Ferencvaros and AZ.

They then suffered their solitary defeat of the group phase away against Galatasaray before being held to draws by Roma and Rangers.

They returned to winning ways last week with a 3-2 victory away against Hoffenheim.

Heung-Min Son after giving Tottenham a 2-0 lead over Hoffenheim
Heung-Min Son after giving Tottenham a 2-0 lead over Hoffenheim - Shutterstock/Ronald Wittek

07:15 PM GMT

Elsewhere this evening

Victory for Manchester United away at Romanian side FCSB will cement a top-eight finish. With Ruben Amorim’s men currently in fourth, a draw might be enough depending on results elsewhere.

Rangers, who are 13th on 11 points, have done enough to secure at least a place in the play-off round.

Despite being just three points ahead of Porto in 25th place, the combination of fixtures on the final day means - according to Uefa - that the Scottish side have done enough already.

However, a win for either side could lift them into the top eight, if other results go their way.


07:11 PM GMT

What happens next?

Teams who place between ninth and 16th will guarantee home ties in the second leg of their play-offs against their lower-ranked opponents.

There is a draw for these play-offs, but potential opponents are reduced to two options.

For example, teams finishing ninth and 10th can only be drawn against teams finishing 23rd and 24th; teams finishing 11th and 12th can only be drawn against teams finishing 21st and 22nd; and so on...

The teams who finish first or second in the group phase will play one of the winners of the matches between the 17th/18th and 15th/16th seeds in the round of 16.

The teams who finish seventh or eighth will play one of the winners of the matches between the ninth/10th and 23rd/24th seeds in the round of 16.

Simple!


07:08 PM GMT

What do the league-phase positions mean?

The top eight teams of the group phase table automatically qualify for the round of 16.

Teams who place between ninth and 24th in the league phase table will contest new-look play-off ties. These will be played over two legs on February 13 and February 20.

Those who finish outside the top 24 in the league phase will be eliminated from this year’s Europa League - and all European competition.


07:04 PM GMT

Tottenham injury news

Speaking on Wednesday, Ange Postecoglou confirmed Micky van de Ven was expected to be available this evening and the defender does start.

Discussing his centre-back partner Cristian Romero, Postecoglou said he is “still a slow burner and we’re mindful his injury is a bit different” so his return is “not on the horizon at the moment”.

Postecoglou said Pape Matar Sarr has “a bit of a niggle” but is available and he is also in from the start while he said Djed Spence will be “fine” for the weekend but is not part of the Europa League squad.

James Maddison meanwhile will be out for “two to three weeks” with a calf strain.


06:59 PM GMT

Those teams in full

Tottenham Hotspur: Austin; Porro, Van de Ven, Davies, Gray; Bergvall, Bentancur, Sarr; Moore, Richarlison, Son.

Subs: Ajayi, Forster, Bissouma, Dragusin, Casanova, Hardy, Lankshear, Kyerematen, Olusesi, Kulusevski, Scarlett, Whiteman.

Elfsborg: Pettersson; Holmen, Henriksson, Yegbe; Hedlund, Zeneli, Thomasen, Hult; Qasem, Abdullai, Rapp.

Subs: Aronsson, Buhari, Bundgaard, Frick, Gudmundsson, Holten, Kaib, Larsson, Ostman, Richtner, Uppenberg, Zeneli.


06:55 PM GMT

Visitors make one change

There is just one change to the Elfsborg team which beat Nice 1-0 last time out as Jens Thomasen replaces Arber Zeneli.


06:50 PM GMT

Van de Ven returns for Tottenham

Ange Postecgolou has made three changes to the side that were beaten by Leicester City on the weekend as Micky van de Ven makes his return from injury while Brandon Austin and Mikey Moore also come into the side.


06:45 PM GMT

Preview: Tottenham looking to book spot in last 16

Good evening and welcome to live coverage of Tottenham Hotspur vs Elfsborg from the Europa League as Ange Postecoglou’s men look to secure a spot in the last 16. The north London side are currently sat in sixth heading into the final Matchday of the group phase and know victory tonight will be enough to clinch that crucial top-eight finish and qualification to the knockout stages.

Postecoglou will be hoping Europe’s second-tier tournament can offer his side some respite from the damage being inflicted in the Premier League, with Tottenham losing six of their last seven games in the competition and drawing the other. Sunday’s 2-1 defeat at home to Leicester City turned the levels of scrutiny up a notch as the Australian’s side blew a one-goal lead against a team that had lost their last seven in the league.

Tottenham’s 3-2 victory over Hoffenheim in the Europa League last week was the only match in 2025 that they have won in 90 minutes, but it saw them make it three games without defeat in Europe and four wins from their seven group-phase ties this season. There is still work to do though given they are level on points with Anderlecht and FCSB, in seventh and eighth, while Galatasaray and Bodo/Glimt are just a point behind in ninth and 10th.

There is a lot on the line for Tottenham’s opponents this evening though, with Elfsborg needing a win to guarantee their spot in the play-offs. The Swedish outfit are currently sat in 20th in the standings but the four sides below them, making up the final play-off spots, all trail by just a point.

Crucially, Oscar Hiljemark’s side are just two points ahead of Porto, who, in 25th, are in the first spot of the elimination zone and have a superior goal difference to Elfsborg. They are also within reach of Twente and Sporting Braga in 26th and 27th, respectively.