Ugo Ehiogu’s U21s side tasted defeat for the first time this season at the hands of Sunderland on Sunday afternoon.
The Black Cats named a strong team, including as many as five players with Premier League appearances, and their experience proved too much for Spurs’ youngsters.
But despite the wealth of experience on show, it was 19-year-old Lynden Gooch that got the all-decisive goal on five minutes from close-range.
The visiting back-line failed to clear their lines, and the California-born attacker – a regular for the USA U20 national team – needed no second invitation to bury the ball beyond Luke McGhee.
Chances were few and far between for the remainder of the half, with former Brighton man Will Buckley going close for Sunderland, whilst Alex Pritchard fired a free-kick over the bar.
Mikael Mandron then hit the bar in the second half, but the Frenchman’s failure to convert did not prove costly to the hosts, who go above Spurs thanks to the win.
Ehiogu will be hoping for a reaction from his side next Monday night, when Reading visit North London.
