View: Tottenham Under-18s performance underpins feelgood factor flowing throughout the club
Both the Tottenham first-team and Under-18s climbed to the top of their respective tables on Saturday (7 October) in a demonstration of the feelgood factor flowing through the club from top to bottom.
While Ange Postecoglou’s Spurs battled to a 1-0 win at Luton Town to go top of the Premier League, Stuart Lewis’ youngsters were putting seven past Norwich City at Hotspur Way to take top spot in the Under-18 Premier League South.
It now leaves the club’s first-team, Under-21s and Under-18s all occupying first place in their respective divisions heading into the international break, showcasing the buoyant atmosphere around Tottenham at this moment in time.
This was echoed by Lewis, who spoke after his side’s 7-2 win over Norwich, and told Spurs’ official website (7 October), “There is a really good feel around the academy and the first-team at the moment.”
It was Spurs Under-18s’ sixth win in a row following their opening-day defeat against Aston Villa, with Mikey Moore once again the shining light of the side as he grabbed a hattrick, taking his tally for the season to seven.
The home side got off to a quick start and were ahead after seven minutes as Leo Black’s first-time strike from 18 yards took a deflection over goalkeeper Henry Bullen to give Spurs a deserved lead, and they doubled that advantage just two minutes later as Oli Irow finished off a fine team move.
Moore got his first just before the break, linking up with goalscorer Black to carve open the Canaries’ defence before deftly lifting the ball over the visiting shot-stopper.
Norwich did pull one back via the penalty spot just before half-time, but just three minutes into the second half Tottenham ensured there would be no comeback, restoring their three-goal cushion as Moore won and converted a penalty of his own.
Moore was denied by the crossbar before setting up his England Under-17 teammate Callum Olusesi to score Spurs’ fifth. One minute later it was six as Herbie James opened his account in the colours of Lilywhite before Moore completed his hattrick with nine minutes to play.
If Moore continues to perform at the level he is performing at, Postecoglou might be tempted to have a closer look at the forward, despite him still being just 16 years old.
That was how old Alfie Devine was when he scored his first senior goal for the club and there is no reason why Moore can’t follow in those footsteps.
It seems no one in a Tottenham shirt can do any wrong at the moment, however, there is still a long season ahead and it will take a big effort for all three teams to finish where they currently find themselves in their leagues.
In other Tottenham news, ex-Spurs scout Bryan King has detailed the three things he learned from Spurs’ victory over Luton Town.