View: Harvey White is hero for Tottenham U21s with 98th-minute winner v Sunderland
Harvey White was the hero for Tottenham Under-21s as he scored a free-kick in the dying seconds of their Premier League Cup clash with Sunderland on Tuesday 29 August.
Following three consecutive Premier League Two wins, the youngsters made sure they ended the month of August with a 100 per cent record, taking all three points away from their Group E opener at the Lamex Stadium after a 3-2 victory over the Black Cats.
It was a contest that felt something like a basketball match, as Tottenham took the lead on two occasions only to be pegged back by Sunderland both times. Eventually, with the score at 2-2 and just minutes remaining, White stole the headlines with his winner.
The hosts made a quick start, clearly inspired by their brilliant recent form, as eventual match-winner White saw his early chance to put Spurs in front saved by Matt Young at his near post.
Where White failed, Jamie Donley succeeded as he scored the club’s first-ever goal in the competition in which they were making their debut appearance. Following a brilliant run into the box by Nile John, he was taken out by Triantis, which offered Donley the chance to give his side an early lead from the spot.
He took his chance well, placing the ball into the bottom right-hand corner to hand the home side the advantage on 21 minutes. However, that lead would unfortunately last just nine minutes, as Ellis Taylor’s drilled effort from range took a nasty deflection which left goalkeeper Luca Gunter with no chance of keeping it out.
However, once again, those watching on would not have to wait long to see another goal as Yago Santiago continued his fine goalscoring form and restored Spurs’ lead, converting Will Andiyapan’s cross in the 38th minute.
Sunderland looked like a much-improved side throughout the second half and kept Gunter busy, his saves and Max Robson’s goalline clearance keeping Spurs in the contest, but this would only last as long as the 86th minute when the visitors from the northeast managed to grab a late equaliser after Ben Crompton tapped in at the far post.
While it seemed at this moment that the points would be shared, White had different plans and emphatically curled home a free-kick from 22 yards out in the 98th minute to spark joyous scenes at the Lamex Stadium.
In other Tottenham news, the club must start to clear some first-team players out before Friday’s deadline.