Tottenham Hotspur’s teenage forward, Damola Ajayi, experienced a milestone moment in his young career, earning a place in the matchday squad for the first time in the Premier League as Spurs fell 3-2 to Everton at Goodison Park on Sunday, January 19.

Spurs manager Ange Postecoglou included the 19-year-old Nigerian striker alongside Callum Olusesi, another player of Nigerian descent, in his 20-man squad. However, both youngsters remained unused substitutes, leaving Ajayi still awaiting his senior debut.

This marked Ajayi’s second first-team call-up of the season, following his inclusion in the squad during Tottenham’s Europa League victory over Ferencváros in October. Despite limited opportunities at senior level, the promising forward has gained valuable experience facing first-team opposition in the EFL Trophy, where he featured against Bristol Rovers, Exeter City, and Swindon Town.

Ajayi, who recently signed a new contract with Spurs, has been a standout performer in the Premier League 2 this season, recording two goals and one assist in 11 appearances.

Everton’s First-Half Dominance Stuns Spurs

The match itself was a showcase of Everton’s attacking prowess under returning manager David Moyes. Dominic Calvert-Lewin opened the scoring in the 13th minute with a brilliant solo effort, weaving past Spurs’ defense to find the net.

Iliman Ndiaye doubled Everton’s lead in the 30th minute with a moment of individual brilliance. Just before halftime, Spurs suffered further frustration as Archie Gray’s own goal handed the Toffees a commanding 3-0 advantage.

Late Spurs Fightback Falls Short

Tottenham showed resilience in the second half. Dejan Kulusevski pulled one back in the 77th minute with an audacious chip over the Everton defense. Former Everton star Richarlison added a second for Spurs in injury time, scoring from a tight angle at the far post. Despite the late rally, the visitors fell short of completing the comeback.

While Ajayi didn’t feature on the day, his inclusion in the squad highlights Postecoglou’s belief in the youngster’s potential. With his current trajectory, it may only be a matter of time before Ajayi gets his moment to shine on the Premier League stage.