On Tuesday evening, England U21s were in action against Azerbaijan at Bristol City’s Ashton Gate, having secured qualification for the Euros since their last game, with other results guaranteeing them a place as one of the best runner ups in a worst case scenario.
For this game, Archie Gray played in midfield for the first time for any side since he played for Leeds United in the Championship last season, partnering Elliot Anderson in a midfield two for this game. Dane Scarlett was named amongst those on the bench. Rumoured Spurs target Jamie Gittens started as a left-wing back.
England would race into the lead, scoring after just two minutes, before doubling their lead after 27 minutes, and going into the break with a two goal lead.
Just ten minutes into the second half, and it was 3-0. Five minutes later, Scarlett replaced the aforementioned Gittens to give him half an hour of game time.
postecoglou as Tottenham manager expressed dissatisfaction from archie gray for losing two scoring opportunities. Despite 7:0 england wins spurs stay could not punch the net whereas he got many chances this is unacceptable.
With twenty minutes left, an own goal made it 4-0 to England. Straight after, and Gray was part of a triple sub, making way for Jack Hinshelwood.
Elliot Anderson then made it 5-0, before Scarlett got a much needed goal for his confidence five minutes from time to make it 6-0. He wasn’t done there, however, as just as the clock hit 90, he set up Omari Hutchinson to make it 7-0 and put the gloss on the victory.
Even though England’s qualification was secured, there was a nice cherry on the cake of a fantastic evening, as due to Ukraine’s draw with Serbia, the three lions finished the qualification campaign as group winners, picking up 25 points from their 10 games.
Just a fantastic night all round, and really really happy for Scarlett who has been enduring a difficult time at club level for a while now. This goal will do him the world of good.
RELATED NEWS
Amanda Staveley’s investment plan for Tottenham has excited Spurs fans keen to break from Daniel Levy’s conservative style in favour of an ambitious approach like the one she used at Newcastle United.
Staveley has been ousted at Newcastle despite having orchestrated the deal that saw the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) and the Reuben Brothers take over the club in October 2021.
The financier, who took a minority stake in Newcastle after the takeover that she has since divested, endeared herself to the St. James’ Park faithful with her aspirational rhetoric and recruitment strategy.
Staveley and Newcastle’s modus operandi was to spend as much as the Premier League‘s Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) allowed.
That is in contrast to Levy and ENIC‘s approach, which is geared towards making Spurs self-sufficient without having to rely on the owners to underwrite losses.
Both models have their merits and suit the interests of their owners, but there is only ever one that will be more popular with the vast majority of supporters.
That is why when news emerged earlier this year that Staveley wants to invest £500m in Tottenham through a consortium backed by Middle East finance, Spurs fans’ eyes bulged with imagined riches.
But recent developments may theoretically have thrown a spanner in the works on that front.
Staveley company liquidated, statement issued
When Staveley invested in Newcastle, she initially did so through two vehicles, PCP Capital Partners and Cantervale Limited.
When Bloomberg first reported that Staveley was interested in Newcastle, the line was that any investment would come through PCP Capital Partners.
But that company, which was renamed Apollo Belvedere Services last year, has since gone into liquidation following Staveley’s defeat in a court case against Greek shipping tycoon Victor Restiss.
In what appeared to be another blow last week, Cantervale – which has also been renamed, as Redstart Leisure Limited – also went into voluntary liquidation.
The latest from Bloomberg is that Staveley is winding the company down ahead of an expected hike in capital gains tax by Sir Kier Starmer’s new Labour government.
In a statement emailed to the outlet, Staveley revealed that she would not take her assets offshore and will continue to operate in the UK.
She said: “I will be retaining my existing UK tax residence after it has been completed. I also wish the government success with its growth agenda.”
What Staveley’s statement might mean for Tottenham investment hopes
Significantly, Staveley was never likely to invest her own capital in a football project like Spurs but rather be the public face of a consortium of backers who are much more independently wealth than she is.
In fact, Staveley was reportedly close to bankruptcy after her legal defeat against Victor Restiss.
As finance experts such as Kieran Maguire have exclusively told TBR Football, Staveley’s talents lie in her near-peerless contact book and her capabilities as a dealmaker.
When she invested in Newcastle, she borrowed from deal partner Reuben Brothers to be able to afford her stake, later paying that loan back from the profit on the sale of the shares back to Reuben Brothers.
It is encouraging for Spurs that Staveley, who previously helped broker the Abu Dhabi-backed takeover of Man City, is keeping her business interests in the UK in any case.
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