Tottenham made it two victories from two Europa League games as their youthful side edged past Ferencvaros in Hungary.
Ange Postecoglou included four teenagers in his starting line-up – winger Mikey Moore, 17, midfielder Lucas Bergvall, 18, defender Archie Gray, 18, and 19-year-old striker Will Lankshear, who was making his senior debut.
Goals from Pape Sarr, 22, and Brennan Johnson, 23, gave them the win, with the teenagers playing key roles.
“I thought Mikey was outstanding,” said Postecoglou. “It’s brilliant for a 17-year-old to play 90-plus minutes in a European away tie. He handled it superbly. I kind of knew he would and it’ll help his growth as a footballer.
“If you look at the Premier League, how many 17-year-olds are actually contributing and Mikey is already, which shows he’s got something special – but we’ve got to be really careful how we develop that.”
On the other youngsters, Postecoglou was also pleased with how they performed and added: “They’re part of our first-team squad, not because I want young players, it’s because they’ve earned that spot. We can’t discount the fact Archie is 18, Lucas is 18.
“Archie was brilliant. We asked him to play in two different positions and it’s incredible how he adjusts. Lucas worked hard and Will was unlucky with a couple of moments when we could have got a goal.
“These guys are there because they’ve earned their spot, but they’re an important part of our development.”
Six points out of six for Spurs
Moore was heavily involved in Tottenham’s first goal with a bright run from the right touchline before the loose ball fell to Sarr who scored with a low effort from inside the six-yard box.
The goal came after the hosts thought they had taken the lead as Barnabas Varga headed into the net, but was judged narrowly offside.
Ferencvaros ended strongly but Kady Borges and Cebrail Makreckis wasted good opportunities to equalise.
Spurs substitute Johnson, who had earlier shot against the crossbar, doubled the visitors’ lead, collecting the ball from Moore and shooting low, with the ball bouncing in off the post for his fifth goal in five games.
Varga finished off a left-wing cross to pull one back for the hosts in the 90th minute, but it was not enough to deny Postecoglou’s side the victory.
Tottenham now have six points from six after they began their campaign with a 3-0 home win over Qarabag of Azerbaijan.
Postecoglou’s line-up gamble pays off