Two long balls over the top and a costly late free kick ended an unbeaten start to the Premier League 2 campaign for the Tottenham Hotspur Under 21s on Sunday. Despite a second half goal from captain James Rowswell, the young Lilywhites fell to a 3-1 London derby defeat against Chelsea at Stevenage.

Tottenham Hotspur saw their six-game unbeaten run in Premier League 2 end in a 3-1 loss to Chelsea on Sunday. Entering the derby at Stevenage, Wayne Burnett’s Under-21s boasted five wins and a draw. Skipper James Rowswell pulled a goal back late on before Max McFadden volleyed wide. Moments later, Chizaram Ezenwata scored in stoppage time to seal the away win.

Trouble started before kick-off when a warm-up injury to Malachi Hardy forced Alfie Dorrington into the starting line-up. Once play began, Chelsea immediately targeted the space behind the high Tottenham defensive line. Goalkeeper Sam Archer denied Sol Gordon early on, but Reggie Watson split the backline in the seventh minute. Harrison McMahon raced through and rounded Archer to put the Blues ahead.

Spurs responded well as Dorrington and Tyrese Hall combined to tee up Callum Olusesi. Maeson King then made a sliding clearance off the goal line before keeper Freddy Bernal tipped over a 25-yard Harry Byrne drive. However, another long ball undid the hosts right before half-time. Ezenwata latched onto a long punt from Bernal and fired inside the near post.

Triple change from Wayne Burnett sparks a late fightback at Stevenage

Tottenham came flying out after the restart as Chelsea defender Justin Osagie twice cleared crosses inside the box. Midway through the half, Burnett made a triple change to add fresh legs in attack. Substitute George Feeney soon won a corner in the 76th minute. Tyrese Hall whipped in the delivery, and Rowswell swept a first-time finish into the far corner.

Seven minutes later, a blocked Ellis Lehane shot fell to an unmarked McFadden with the goal at his mercy. Sadly, the midfielder volleyed wide of the post. Urgency then cost Spurs in stoppage time when Harrison Bettoni cut out a quick free kick near their corner flag. Ezenwata tucked away the rebound before Tottenham’s visit to Oxford United in the EFL Trophy on 24 November.