Tottenham Hotspur U21s are in action on Sunday as they take on Sunderland in the Premier League 2 Play-off Final to decide who claims the title.
Wayne Burnett’s young Spurs side have had a remarkable campaign, with goals and wins galore, and finished top of the table in the regular season. However, such is the nature of the new combined league this season that they is still a play-off system to decide who lifts the overall trophy.
Despite games piling up and injury issues, the north London side have battled their way to the final against Sunderland with the match being played on Sunday afternoon at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Some of the young Tottenham players have been in first team action for Ange Postecoglou in the past week, heading out for the club’s 36 hours in Melbourne, Australia for post-season friendly against Newcastle. All of the youngsters who travelled, including Jamie Donley, Dane Scarlett, Yago Santiago, George Abbott as well as Tyrese Hall, who impressed in his 19 minutes of action.
They will have had to adjust their bodies back to UK time after battling through the jet lag, although prolific striker Will Lankshear, who was named Premier League 2 Player of the Season last week, did not travel on the trip and should be fresh and looking to his goal haul this campaign.
Our Spurs correspondent Alasdair Gold is at the stadium reporting on the match in N17. Scroll down for his latest updates from the play-off final at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
16:59Alasdair Gold
Full-time
Spurs have won the play-off final. They go from what was meant to be relegation last season to winning the title this time around. Great work from Wayne Burnett and his players, with goals and assists galore, not least from Jamie Donley and those 32 goals from Will Lankshear.
16:57Alasdair Gold
Almost another for Spurs
A quick break up the pitch ends with Santiago hitting a low effort just wide.
16:56Alasdair Gold
Sunderland score
Timur Tuterov nets one from close range as consolation for the visitors.
16:54Key Event
George Abbott scores!
It’s 3-0 as substitute Ajayi has a shot saved and Abbott is very calm and collected with the rebound, taking a touch before rifling it into the roof of the net.
16:50Alasdair Gold
Another Tottenham change
Damola Ajayi comes on for Tyrese Hall.
16:46Alasdair Gold
Good reactions from Gunter
He stops the ball near the line after it bounces off a Spurs player towards their own goal from a Sunderland free-kick.
16:36Alasdair Gold
Let off for Spurs
Caden Kelly fires a shot wide after Spurs give the ball away in front of their own box.
16:33Alasdair Gold
Another Spurs sub
Maxwell McKnight comes on for Nile John, who has done well in a makeshift role.
16:29Alasdair Gold
Spurs sub
Yusuf Akhamrich comes on for Soonsup-Bell, who looked like he picked up a knock.
16:26Alasdair Gold
Gunter save
The keeper makes a solid save from Watson. Lankshear the hero so far with his two goals but that second one was all about Soonsup-Bell’s work and his one-two with Donley. Also worth pointing out how important goalkeeper Lucas Gunter has been at the other end with his saves.
16:20Key Event
Lankshear scores again!
It’s the 32nd goal of the season for Will Lankshear as he powers home from Jude Soonsup-Bell’s low pull back in the box. Great work from the right winger and it’s 2-0 to Spurs.
16:09Alasdair Gold
Woodwork
Tommy Watson hits the outside of the left-hand post for Sunderland.
16:05Alasdair Gold
Peep
We’re back up and running.
15:48Alasdair Gold
Half-time
Real end-to-end battle between the two teams in this first half with Spurs going into the break on top thanks to Will Lankshear’s goal.
15:46Alasdair Gold
So close
Jude Soonsup-Bell heads an effort inches wide of the left-hand post from Jamie Donley’s corner. Nile John, playing at right-back today, fires an effort over the crossbar soon after while on the run.
15:44Alasdair Gold
Post
Sunderland’s Harrison Jones sends a shot flying against the right-hand post from outside the box.
15:40Key Event
Lankshear scores!
It’s a great break down the right from George Abbott and after a one-two, he picks out Will Lankshear with a low cross to fire home. What a season the young striker has had and he puts his finger to his lips in front of the noisy travelling Sunderland supporters.
15:29Alasdair Gold
Another Gunter save
Sunderland looking dangerous on the break and Gunter has to make another save.
15:26Alasdair Gold
Chances at both ends
Lankshear turns and fires an effort that’s saved at one end and then Luca Gunter makes a brilliant reaction save from a powerful deflected effort at the other end.
15:17Alasdair Gold
Another good Spurs move
Some swift passing ends with Santiago again, this time he comes across to the right but hits his effort into the side-netting.
15:14Alasdair Gold
Will Lankshear takes a big hit
The prolific young striker takes a big whack while going up for a header. He needs a bit of treatment after looking in real pain but has shaken it off.
15:12Alasdair Gold
Gunter save
Lucas Gunter, who has had a great season, pushes away Ellis Taylor’s effort from distance.
15:05Alasdair Gold
Good Spurs move
A swift move up the pitch, with Tyrese Hall bursting through the centre ends with Yago Santiago sending a shot over the crossbar.
15:00Alasdair Gold
Peep
We’re up and running here in N17.
14:56Alasdair Gold
Should be a good crowd today
Spurs are expecting around 4,000 fans for this final at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
14:27Sam Truelove
Spurs team confirmed
Here is the Tottenham U21s team to take on Sunderland U21s!
13:55Alasdair Gold
Welcome to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
It’s a big day for the Tottenham U21s and their talented group of youngsters. Can they lift the Premier League 2 title after a season which absolutely deserves such an accolade.