Matthew Chadder

Tue 3 October 2023 18:12, UK

Tottenham Under-21s made it eight wins out of eight for the season with a 4-2 Premier League 2 victory over Chelsea on Monday (2 October).

Spurs’ youngsters scored three goals in the final 16 minutes as they came from behind to beat London rivals Chelsea at the Lamex Stadium, where a healthy crowd of 812 watched on.

Jamie Donley responded to his first senior squad call-up during the win against Liverpool on Saturday (30 September) with a brace on Monday night, and it is surely now just a matter of time until Ange Postecoglou offers him some minutes on the pitch for the first team.

Yago Santiago and Nile John both also found themselves on the scoresheet not for the first time this season as Wayne Burnett’s side continued their winning start to the 2023/24 campaign.

It was Santiago who put Spurs ahead in the 19th minute as he scored his fifth Premier League 2 goal of the season. The Spaniard would go on to provide two assists following his strike, and although it is Donley stealing the headlines, he will certainly be another player Postecoglou has his eye on.

Goals either side of half-time from Ronnie Stutter and Somto Boniface put the Blues ahead and left top-of-the-table Tottenham staring down the barrel of their first defeat of the campaign.

Nonetheless, as the match entered the 74th minute, Donley and John had different ideas. Santiago got the first of his two assists as he stole possession on the halfway line and played in Donley, who spotted Chelsea shot-stopper Eddie Beach outside of his penalty area and curled a clever low shot around the retreating keeper and into the empty net.

With three minutes to go, he scored his second and restored the Tottenham lead, receiving a pass from George Abbott inside the box, taking a touch and firing a left-footed strike home. It is now four goals and six assists in six Premier League 2 appearances for the 18-year-old this season.

Just one minute later, Santiago burst down the left flank and squared the ball for John who converted from a central position to score his second goal in as many games and his third of the season.

John will be turning 21 this March and will certainly be giving those higher up at the club something to think about as he reaches a crossroads in his career. With Pape Matar Sarr and Yves Bissouma both heading to AFCON in January, the central midfielder could find himself in the first-team fold.

Meanwhile, Donley is clearly already on Postecoglou’s radar and Santiago might not be far behind him as the pair continue to shine.

Spurs’ Under-21s will return to action on Monday 9 October, with a trip to Bristol City in the Premier League Cup where they will be looking to keep their winning momentum going.

In other Tottenham news, there were some positives for the club’s women’s team to take despite WSL opening-day defeat against Chelsea.