Thursday’s 2-1 win over Ferencvaros in the Europa League was a great night for some of Tottenham Hotspur’s youngsters.
Keen not to fall prey to the sort of injury issues that plagued him last season, Ange Postecoglou rotated four teenagers into the starting line-up in Budapest.
Archie Gray started in an unfamiliar centre-back role but looked composed and accomplished in a performance that included three tackles, three clearances and nine recoveries.
In midfield, Lucas Bergvall continues to impress and alongside a 90% pass completion rate, provided the assist for Pape Sarr’s 23rd-minute opener — granted with a bit of fortune, but he did create two chances on the night.
And up-front, Will Lankshear was a nuisance for the Ferencvaros defence and could have had a couple of goals but was a little off with his aim, although he did complete 100% of his passes and create one chance.
But the pick of the bunch was arguably Mikey Moore.
Just 17 years old and 53 days old, Moore became the youngest player to start for an English club in the Europa League since Jake Bidwell for Everton (16 years, 271 days) against BATE Borisov in December 2009.
Moore caused havoc at times and showed plenty of glimpses of his obvious quality, creating one big chance and attempting two shots, while attempting seven dribbles and five crosses. Moore was also involved in the build-up for Sarr’s opener.
Mikey Moore catches the eye of Crouch and Cole
The winger’s minutes seem to be growing under Postecoglou, and Moore’s European performance has certainly caught the eye of TNT Sports pundits Peter Crouch and Joe Cole.
“I thought Mikey Moore was excellent on his full debut. He had a hand in the first goal too,” former Tottenham striker Crouch said (via Spurs Web).
Ex-Chelsea winger Cole added: “(The first goal) was against the run of play. Moore was really good. He was comfortable on the ball, driving with it. They all did very well but he was the pick of the youngsters.”
Moore will hope for more minutes when Spurs travel to Brighton in the Premier League on Sunday.