PL Cup: Ajayi's stoppage-time goal saves Tottenham from defeat in 7-goal thriller against Nottingham Forest 

Nigerian forward Damola Ajayi was one of the heroes for Tottenham Hotspur U21s as they came back from three goals down at halftime to beat Nottingham Forest 4-3 in the semifinal of the Premier League Cup at  Lamex Stadium, Stevenage on Thursday evening. 

The Lilywhites were staring defeat in the face but goals in injury time from Ajayi and Yago Santiago secured a win for Wayne Burnett's side.

Nottingham Forest were 3-0 up at halftime thanks to goals from Esapa Osong, Ateef Konaté and Jamie McDonnell.

Two quickfire goals in the second half from Danté Cassanova and Jack Lankshear set up a nervy finish for Nottingham Forest.

Ajayi brought the game back to parity in the first minute of stoppage time when his looping header found the back of the net before Santiago netted a dramatic winner from close range in the 96th minute. 

The 18-year-old is having a breakout season at Tottenham and his crucial strike against Nottingham Forest took his tally to sixteen goals in all competitions this season, comprising 10 in the U18 Premier League, 3 in the Premier League 2, 2 in the FA Youth Cup and one in the Premier League Cup.

Last weekend, he netted his first hat-trick for Tottenham as the U18s registered a 5-3 win versus West Brom in the U18 Premier League. 

Ajayi started the 2023-2024 season as a second year scholar, before signing his first professional contract with Tottenham in January. 

Tottenham Hotspur will face Fulham, who beat Chelsea in the other semifinal,  in the final of the Premier League Cup 

Igho Kingsley 

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