'Changed the game' – Tottenham great Hoddle praises Ajayi for debut goal in Europa League win

Tottenham Hotspur legend Glenn Hoddle praised Damola Ajayi’s impact after the 19-year-old scored his first senior goal in Spurs’ 3-0 Europa League win over Elfsborg on Thursday night.

Ajayi, who came on as a second-half substitute, doubled Tottenham’s lead in the 84th minute with a composed finish after combining with fellow academy graduate Dane Scarlett. 

His goal helped Spurs secure a place in the last 16, avoiding the February play-off round.

Speaking on TNT Sports, via The BBC, Hoddle highlighted the teenager’s movement and composure, saying: "Damola Ajayi combines well with Dane Scarlett, he plays the ball and follows it, runs onto the ball and strokes it into the corner."

The former Spurs midfielder also credited Ajayi and Scarlett for shifting the momentum in the match, adding: "These two young players have come on and changed the game for Spurs. And look at the players on the sideline too, they're so pleased for the young kid."

Before their introduction, Tottenham had struggled to break down a resilient Elfsborg defence. 

Scarlett finally broke the deadlock in the 70th minute with a header from a Dejan Kulusevski cross before Ajayi’s clinical finish put the result beyond doubt. 

Seventeen-year-old Mikey Moore added a third in stoppage time, becoming the youngest English scorer in major European competition.

Spurs, who are dealing with an injury crisis, will take confidence from their young players’ contributions as they shift focus back to the Premier League, where they sit 15th after seven winless games. 

They face Brentford in a London derby on Sunday, hoping to turn their domestic form around.

Wale Adejumo

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