View: Tottenham Under-21s can be proud despite first defeat of the season v Peterborough United
Tottenham Under-21s’ impressive ten-match winning streak came to an end on Tuesday 31 October as they suffered a 3-1 defeat to League One side Peterborough United.
While the players would have understandably left the pitch frustrated after suffering defeat for the first time in what feels like forever, they should hold their heads high in the knowledge that it took a far more experienced team to put a stop to their winning run.
Playing against a senior Peterborough side in their second match of the EFL Trophy Group Stages, Spurs’ youngsters should take immense pride in the knowledge that it still wasn’t an easy evening for their opposition, who are currently flying high in League One with a manager who knows what it takes to win football matches.
In fact, it was the visitors who took the lead on a foggy Halloween evening, as Alejo Veliz scored his first goal for the club since arriving in the summer. The in-form Jamie Donley set the Argentine up, standing up a cross from the left which Veliz headed home from six yards out.
His first goal in Spurs colours will be a big boost to his confidence and is certainly a positive that the club can take away from their trip to Cambridgeshire.
In the end, Spurs could have taken much more than just this Veliz goal back to London had they taken their chances during the first 30 minutes of the match, a period they largely dominated. However, once Peterborough equalised through Emmanuel Fernandez via a corner in the 31st minute, the hosts began to take control.
They then took the lead in the 53rd minute through Ricky-Jade Jones, and after Donley had missed two big chances, Kwame Poku put the game out of reach in the 69th minute. Nonetheless, Spurs still demonstrated fight and were able to create some late opportunities, but Peterborough were able to use their experience to see out the win.
Although it is a defeat, it is a defeat which Tottenham should take no shame in and an experience that they can use going forward this season. Playing against more experienced opposition is always difficult, and on another day it is a game Spurs might have won.
They remain second in Southern Group D of the EFL Trophy and still have a real possibility of qualifying for the knockout stages when they travel to Cambridge United for the final group stage match.
Spurs’ Under-21s must now do something they are yet to do this season, bounce back from defeat, and if their performances so far this season are anything to go by, they are certainly capable of doing just that.
In other Tottenham news, the club are set to make a new senior appointment behind the scenes.