Tottenham Hotspur U21s 1-1 West Ham United U21s
Premier League 2, Tottenham Hotspur Training Ground, Saturday 17 February 2024, 12noon GMT
A sweet strike from Sean Moore’s left boot saw West Ham United U21s end Tottenham Hotspur U21s’ perfect start to Premier League 2 following a 1-1 draw on Saturday.
The Republic of Ireland U19 international found the net on the hour, as his third goal in his last four leagues matches opened the scoring at Tottenham Hotspur Training Ground.
The hosts were good value for their equaliser which came through Yago Santiago ten minutes later, and a point apiece was a fair end to an enthralling battle between the PL2 top two.
Having won their first eleven matches of the season, Spurs remain top, with West Ham second, trailing the leaders by four points, although both had chances to open the scoring before the break.
Levi Laing scooped over the bar from close range, while Junior Robinson, Patrick Kelly, and Lewis Orford all saw shots saved as the Hammers pressed for the opener.
Despite the chances for those in Claret and Blue, it would be 58 minutes played when Moore found the net, expertly finishing a quick free-kick taken by George Earthy.
After Spurs equalised, West Ham then had chances to become the first PL2 side to beat Tottenham in 2023/24, although Kamarai Swyer, and later Earthy, both could not find the net when presented with difficult chances on the counter-attack.
An inspired back-three of Laing, Luizao, and skipper for the day Kaelan Casey, thwarted the late Spurs pressure to secure a really impressive result on the road ahead of our Premier League International Cup quarter-final against Brighton & Hove Albion next Friday.
West Ham United U21s: Knightbridge, Robinson, Laing, Casey (c), Luizao, Scarles, Kelly, Orford, Earthy, Swyer, Moore (Clayton 82)
Subs not used: Terry (GK), Tarima, Halim, Rigge
Goal: Moore 58
Booked: Moore, Clayton
Sean Moore magic grabs the Hammers a point
A game of small margins no doubt as the PL2 top two largely cancelled each other out in a very even fixture.
Spurs played their part for sure in an entertaining match, although the Hammers threatened against a side that named senior professional Ryan Sessegnon in their starting XI.
Moore showed his quality once again, with a neat skip inside, and fine finish too. He was delighted to continue a great run of personal form.
On his goal, he said: “It was a great performance from us and maybe we had chances to win the game, but Tottenham are a top side, who have not been beaten [in PL2] all season. So, it was a good point in the end.
“After the defeat last week, it was important we got up and running again with a positive result. We should have scored a couple of chances, but it could have gone the other way too.
“Even in training we talk about switching it quickly, so I started making my run and I was happy with the finish in the end.
“I saw the keeper moving a bit and [reversed] it into the other corner and hopefully I can get a few more goals in the next games too.”
Up Next
The Hammers face a quick return to action, with our Premier League International Cup quarter-final set for Rush Green Stadium on Friday 23 February.
Tickets are free for season-ticket holders, who just need to show proof of ownership at the gate.
Kick-off is set for 7pm.
